Good Process gets Best Results Bad Process gets Bad Results
The current process brings us here today
There is no contract with the development group proposing this move. It is a fluid negotiation Recent settlements with some of the OMB challenges have seen design changes. The proposed move of the Horticulture is a “want” by the developers not a “need”.
Reasons for retaining the Horticulture Building in place: Francis Conroy Sullivan, a regional architect born in Kingston, Ontario, studied under Moses Edey, architect of the Aberdeen Pavilion. After apprenticing with Moses Edey, Sullivan became the only Canadian architect to study under Frank Lloyd Wright where he learned the “Prairie Style� deign. The Horticulture building, completed in 1914, is deliberately located to the West and set back of the Aberdeen Pavilion. It's set back allowed visitors approaching from the canal to appreciate all the splendour of the Aberdeen Pavilion. The centennial year for the Horticulture Building, or Hall as it has been called, will be 2014 .What better tribute to the park and to the building to be beautifully restored in its appropriate location in time for 2014.
There is no doubt that Lansdowne Park needs to be developed but you do so with following good process. So far the reason for this meeting has been as a result of a process that has not followed good process. The Heritage Advisory Committee to the City of Ottawa has voted unanimously to preserve the Horticulture Building in its current location. ●
The Ontario Heritage Trust has stated the same.
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The Heritage Canada Foundation has listed Lansdowne Park as one of its Top Ten endangered sites. ●
It is time to explore alternatives that work.
Other options have yet to be explored Cultural economics work Ably demonstrated by the heritage restoration at Granville Island in Vancouver BC. No structures over 3 stories, beautifully restored, promotes local small business, arts and farmers and attracted over 10 million visitors just last year. No underground parking.
Like Granville Island Lansdowne Park is: Located next to a bridge ●Has roughly the same acreage of 37 acres ●Bordered by water ●Uses perimeter surface parking, no underground ●
Granville Island started as a neglected site and is now world famous. We can do the same in Ottawa, our Nation's Capital.
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Preserving Heritage is more than about bricks and mortar. It is about retaining important ties to our past. No one disputes revitalizing Lansdowne Park. But follow good process, including adhering to Heritage protection. Adhere to good process and you will achieve best results.
Cultural economics works as ably demonstrated by Granville Island and any number of public spaces that work to retain the all so important connection to the past in a rapidly changing world. People crave beautiful spaces, they provide an increase in quality to life and as demonstrated are beneficial to the economy for small business and tourism. Keeping the Horticulture Building in its present location to be beautifully restored for its Centenary in 2014 makes good sense culturally, historically and economically. Better for our City, better for our Province and better for our Nation's Capital. Thank you, John E. Martin Ottawa, ON