COVER STORY
These are city-building projects … that are going to draw talent to Ottawa (and) bring visitors into town. – IAN FARIS, PRESIDENT AND CEO, OTTAWA BOARD OF TRADE
CAPITAL BUILDING
Megaprojects set to reshape Ottawa, help attract top talent BY LISA THIBODEAU lisa@obj.ca
T
he sight of cranes, dump trucks and scaffolding has become a nearubiquitous feature of Ottawa’s urban landscape in recent years as new homes, commercial spaces and amenities are
constructed to meet the needs of a city that’s projected to surpass one million residents in 2019. However, many of these planned and under-construction initiatives are more than just growth-related infrastructure. They’re transforming how and where Ottawa residents live, work and play, improving commuting times
1
INFRASTRUCTURE INVESTMENTS
LRT Phase One Top-ranked
29% Top five
65% PHOTO BY TED SIMPSON
WWW.OTTAWABUSINESSSURVEYREPORT.CA
OBGS MAGAZINE 2019.indd 7
and changing how visitors view Canada’s capital. Among the most eagerly anticipated projects is the first phase of Ottawa’s light-rail line, which is poised to open this summer. Early construction work on its second phase is already underway. This expansion will include a link to the Ottawa International Airport, which itself is planning a $25-million overhaul of its passenger terminal that will also see a new hotel connected directly to the facility. Elsewhere, the $2-billion effort to construct a new Civic Hospital campus on the edge of the Central Experimental Farm will rank among the largest construction projects in the city’s history. And, despite setbacks, the National Capital Commission remains committed to redeveloping LeBreton Flats. In addition to changing Ottawa’s outward appearance, these megaprojects have the potential to attract skilled workers and tourists, argues Ian Faris, the president and CEO of the Ottawa Board of Trade. “These are city-building projects … that are
Ottawa Business Growth Survey respondents ranked the top infrastructure investments or major developments they believe will have the greatest positive impact on the economy.
>
(The first figure indicates the percentage of respondents who selected the project as their top-ranked selection. The second figure is the percentage of respondents who included it among their top five selections.)
WELCH LLP/OTTAWA BOARD OF TRADE BUSINESS GROWTH SURVEY 2019 7
2019-05-22 1:03 PM
