Serving the Glebe community since 1973 www.glebereport.ca ISSN 0702-7796
Vol. 46 No. 2
Photo: anthony carricato
February 9, 2018
A public meeting on January 16 about the proposed Fifth Avenue Court redevelopment drew a crowd of more than 200.
Fifth Avenue Court redevelopment By Carol MacLeod
Minto detailed development plans for property between Fourth and Fifth avenues on Bank Street, at a public meeting on Tuesday, January 16. The proposal is to retain the two-storey commercial brick row that faces Bank Street and to demolish the two-storey commercial building behind this row, replacing it with residential condo units. No commercial space will be retained where Fifth Avenue Court now stands. The Glebe Community Associa-
tion organized the meeting so that Minto, the developer, could present its proposal and answer questions. The city’s new deadline for submission of comments is February 14. The meeting hall was packed, an indication of community interest in this project. About 200 people attended, both from the community and from businesses in Fifth Avenue Court and on Bank Street. Minto representatives spoke to the history of Fifth Avenue Court, justifying the eight-storey proposed condo option and defending the architec-
MARK YOUR CALENDARS Feb. 2–19......... Winterlude Feb. 2–18......... Snowmania Winter Garden, Hort Bldg, Lansdowne Feb. 4–Mar. 4.. Art of Vincenzo Paolucci, Wild Oat Café Feb. 17............. Snowmania - build a snowman, Lansdowne 11 a.m. Feb. 22............. Carleton Speakers Series, GCC, 7 p.m. Feb. 23, 24...... The Gold Rush, 17 Voyces, St. Matthews AC, 7:30 p.m. Feb. 24............. Big Soul Project, Fourth Ave Baptist 7:30 p.m. Feb. 26............. FPA Research Excellence Symposium, Carleton U. Feb. 27............. Bell Lecture by Jean Charest, Carleton U., 7 p.m. Feb. 27............. GCA monthly meeting, GCC, 175 Third Ave., 7 p.m. Mar. 5–Apr. 1... Nick Le Pan art, Wild Oat Café Mar. 8............... Visions for Equality conference, Richcraft Hall, Carleton U. Mar. 10............. St. Patrick’s Day Road Races, 10 a.m./Parade 11 a.m. Mar. 11............. Concert for Cambodia, MacKay United Church, 2 p.m. Mar. 21............. FPA Undergraduate Research Showcase, Carleton U.
tural style. Minto considered two broad options, demolition of all buildings including the Bank Street row or redevelopment of just the courtyard part of the site. The city discouraged demolition of the row on Bank because it intends to add the row to its Heritage Registry, which should be released spring 2018. Minto proposes to retain the familiar red brick row on Bank in recognition of this turnof-the-20th-century commercial row being the last example of its kind and a cornerstone of the Bank Street commercial strip.
Minto staff said that the courtyard has been underused in recent years although this was not so originally. Minto indicated that the Bank Street row of businesses carried the costs of the courtyard part even though several units sat empty for well over a year. The building is envisioned as condos for empty nesters and singles, which could add density to the Glebe. The architectural firm, which also designed Minto Beechwood in New Edinburgh, a development much conContinued on page 2
WHAT’S INSIDE
Why can’t Bank Street trees survive and thrive? Page 35
The Glebe Report – a look back. Page 10
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