Lansdowne 2.0

Updated on: August 27, 2024

The City of Ottawa is preparing the site plan for the Lansdowne 2.0 event centre. Before the site plan is designed, we need your input on what should be included.

The event centre is just one part of Lansdowne 2.0, and designing the site plan is just the next step. For more information and background on this important City project, visit Engage Ottawa.

There will be two in-person events this summer where you can learn more about the event centre site plan and provide your input:

• Tuesday, June 18, from 6:30 to 8 pm
  Inside Gate 2 at TD Arena
• Sunday, August 11, from 9 am to 3 pm
  Lansdowne Farmers Market booth

You can also email us at lansdownerenewal@ottawa.ca.

Based on the summertime feedback, a draft site plan will be published on DevApps and on Engage Ottawa. You will have one more opportunity to provide feedback on the draft plan at a public meeting on Tuesday, September 10. Please register here to attend. Draft plans and studies can be found here.

The site plan is also scheduled to be reviewed by the City’s Accessibility Committee before it is finalized by staff on September 17, 2024.

As the City and its partners move ahead with a detailed design, staff will report to Council later next year on the final package of approvals, including the final construction price, final air rights value and any required funding strategy amendments prior to construction.

The City’s Lansdowne 2.0 project addresses the need to reinvest in the site with more housing, better public spaces, and more destination retail. In particular, the project addresses the functionally obsolete TD Place North Side Stadium Stands and TD Arena. TD Arena is one of the City’s most energy inefficient buildings, and both arena and north side stands are reaching the end of their functional lives.

Proposal

In November 2023, City Council granted approval to proceed to the next stage of planning for Lansdowne 2.0 through the approval of the fourth report on Lansdowne, entitled the 2023 Lansdowne Partnership Plan – Authorization to Proceed to the Next Steps in the Redevelopment Report.

The report, on the basis of the due diligence efforts, put forward a revised Concept Plan incorporating sentiments for reduced complexity in construction, reduced residential density and intensification, and improvements in the public realm space. As a result, the primary changes were the reduction of the number of proposed residential towers from 3 to 2, thus a reduction in the number of residential units and residential parking spaces.

The revised proposal also recommended that the retail podium be developed as a two-story built form, with a reduction in the amount of space for commercial uses from 108,000 to 49,000 square feet, but an increase of 8,000 square feet compared to the current retail podium (J block).

New public realm space, as well as a dedicated number of Event Centre parking spaces were added to the project. Additional key changes to the Partnership Agreement were proposed, such as extending the life of the agreement to 2066 and elevating the City within the “waterfall” so the City will be receiving cash disbursements earlier, some portion of which is guaranteed. In this revised waterfall framework, the City is benefiting much more from the partnership than previously, and the risk allocation is more balanced.

The estimated cost to the City for the construction of this project was $419.1M as outlined in the approved report. The project was approved to be funded from the disposal of air rights, debentures premiums, capital budget, expected funding from senior levels of government and long-term debt. The long-term debt will be repaid in part by various revenue sources including a portion of the property tax uplift and payments from the closed financial system.

To learn more about the proposal, please visit the Lansdowne 2.0 Engage Ottawa page here.

Project update

On November 24, 2023, City Council passed both the Zoning By-law (By-law 2023-510) and Official Plan Amendment (OPA 19) and granted approval to proceed to the next stage of planning for Lansdowne 2.0. Council also directed staff to assess the benefits and drawbacks of each proposed procurement model for the delivery of the new Event Centre and new North Side Stands. This is to ensure Council and the public is informed of the value and risks of each option. (Recommendation #7 of 2023 Lansdowne Partnership Plan – Authorization to Proceed to the Next Steps in the Redevelopment Report)

In the latest staff report (Lansdowne 2.0 Procurement Options Analysis and Recommendations), staff is recommending that the Design-Bid-Build model, with the continuation of the project architects, as it is the most advantageous model for Council to proceed with. This delivery procurement model provides timeline advantages, as well as project knowledge advantages.

Council directed staff to develop a social procurement framework with OSEG to increase supply chain diversity and increase opportunities for those experiencing economic disadvantage and within equity-deserving communities in the construction and development of Lansdowne 2.0. Progress on the social procurement framework is being reported back to Council as part of the procurement delivery method analysis, and the ongoing results of the social procurement framework will continue to be reported back through the annual Lansdowne Report. Lastly the development of a framework of Request for Offer (RFO) criteria that will support the air rights disposal process is being presented to Council. Based on the staff recommended procurement model of Design-Bid-Build (with the current project architects) and the associated design and construction schedule, the reasonable time to initiate the Request for Offer (RFO) process will be Q1 2025.This is the sixth report City Council will consider for the continued evolution of Lansdowne Park, more commonly referred to as Lansdowne 2.0.

Event Centre and Site Plan Control application

Since Council granted approval to proceed with the next steps, staff has also been working toward bringing forward a site plan control application for the Event Centre and new North Side Stands.

Having received an appeal to the Ontario Land Tribunal (OLT), the Zoning By-law amendment and Official Plan Amendment will be considered by the OLT.

An OLT hearing will be scheduled according to the next available date on the Tribunal’s calendar with the City’s legal staff advocating for a date at the Tribunal’s earliest availability. Work on the future site plan can still proceed during an appeal but without the Official Plan and Zoning By-law amendments in effect, a building permit for the new Event Centre and new North Side Stands cannot be issued, nor can a site plan control application be formally deemed complete and circulated, nor receive final approval.

The first phase of site plan approvals is the new Event Centre. The Event Centre site plan application will be supported by plans and studies, including engineering (civil, geotechnical, transportation), urban / planning design, landscape design, architecture, environmental, and heritage components of the project.

The site plan control application for the new Event Centre and new North Side Stands will be phased in two separate approvals, beginning with the Event Centre site plan work in Q2 to Q3 2024. Below is a conceptual timeline that will be presented to Council for consideration.

Public engagement

Since the launch of the Lansdowne 2.0 Project, City staff have worked to ensure a robust public engagement process has taken place. This has included a dedicated project website for residents to review information, a dedicated email address for residents to send in questions and concerns, four public information sessions, multiple surveys, weekly coffee chats, pop-up events, and weekly meetings with the Ward Councillor.

Should City Council approve the recommendations in this report and continue with the project, there will be many more opportunities to engage with staff and the City on the site plan, detailed design work, and the public realm.

Public engagement during the pre-application stages of the Site Plan application is aimed to both inform and seek input from the public on matters such as:

o Event Centre and integration with public realm

o LEED / sustainability elements

o Heritage

o Accessibility (through the Accessibility Advisory Committee)

Stay tuned for key dates and upcoming public information sessions.

Committee and Council

The City will be considering Lansdowne 2.0 Procurement Options Analysis and Recommendations and recommendations at:

• April 2, 2024 - Finance and Corporate Services Committee

• April 17, 2024 - City Council

Residents interested in speaking as a delegate at the Committee should contact the City Clerk’s office to register.

Next Steps

Should the OLT appeal be resolved in the City’s favour by end of Q4 2024, the site plan application will be able to proceed through a formal submission and circulation process.

The project will also be able to proceed with a Request for Offer of the Air Rights in Q1 2025, based upon the framework of criteria and based upon the progression of the design of the north side stands.

Progressing site plan and detailed design will afford the opportunity for the submission of a building permit submission on the Event Centre and north side stands by end of Q4 2024 to start of Q1 2025.

For more information, please visit the project webpage

If you have any questions, comments or concerns please send us an email at LansdowneRenewal@Ottawa.ca.

The City’s Lansdowne 2.0 project addresses the need to reinvest in the site with more housing, better public spaces, and more destination retail. In particular, the project addresses the functionally obsolete TD Place North Side Stadium Stands and TD Arena. TD Arena is one of the City’s most energy inefficient buildings, and both arena and north side stands are reaching the end of their functional lives.

Proposal

In November 2023, City Council granted approval to proceed to the next stage of planning for Lansdowne 2.0 through the approval of the fourth report on Lansdowne, entitled the 2023 Lansdowne Partnership Plan – Authorization to Proceed to the Next Steps in the Redevelopment Report.

The report, on the basis of the due diligence efforts, put forward a revised Concept Plan incorporating sentiments for reduced complexity in construction, reduced residential density and intensification, and improvements in the public realm space. As a result, the primary changes were the reduction of the number of proposed residential towers from 3 to 2, thus a reduction in the number of residential units and residential parking spaces.

The revised proposal also recommended that the retail podium be developed as a two-story built form, with a reduction in the amount of space for commercial uses from 108,000 to 49,000 square feet, but an increase of 8,000 square feet compared to the current retail podium (J block).

New public realm space, as well as a dedicated number of Event Centre parking spaces were added to the project. Additional key changes to the Partnership Agreement were proposed, such as extending the life of the agreement to 2066 and elevating the City within the “waterfall” so the City will be receiving cash disbursements earlier, some portion of which is guaranteed. In this revised waterfall framework, the City is benefiting much more from the partnership than previously, and the risk allocation is more balanced.

The estimated cost to the City for the construction of this project was $419.1M as outlined in the approved report. The project was approved to be funded from the disposal of air rights, debentures premiums, capital budget, expected funding from senior levels of government and long-term debt. The long-term debt will be repaid in part by various revenue sources including a portion of the property tax uplift and payments from the closed financial system.

To learn more about the proposal, please visit the Lansdowne 2.0 Engage Ottawa page here.

Project update

On November 24, 2023, City Council passed both the Zoning By-law (By-law 2023-510) and Official Plan Amendment (OPA 19) and granted approval to proceed to the next stage of planning for Lansdowne 2.0.

Council also directed staff to assess the benefits and drawbacks of each proposed procurement model for the delivery of the new Event Centre and new North Side Stands. This is to ensure Council and the public is informed of the value and risks of each option. (Recommendation #7 of 2023 Lansdowne Partnership Plan – Authorization to Proceed to the Next Steps in the Redevelopment Report)

In the latest staff report (Lansdowne 2.0 Procurement Options Analysis and Recommendations), staff is recommending that the Design-Bid-Build model, with the continuation of the project architects, as it is the most advantageous model for Council to proceed with. This delivery procurement model provides timeline advantages, as well as project knowledge advantages.

Council directed staff to develop a social procurement framework with OSEG to increase supply chain diversity and increase opportunities for those experiencing economic disadvantage and within equity-deserving communities in the construction and development of Lansdowne 2.0.

Progress on the social procurement framework is being reported back to Council as part of the procurement delivery method analysis, and the ongoing results of the social procurement framework will continue to be reported back through the annual Lansdowne Report.

Lastly the development of a framework of Request for Offer (RFO) criteria that will support the air rights disposal process is being presented to Council.

Based on the staff recommended procurement model of Design-Bid-Build (with the current project architects) and the associated design and construction schedule, the reasonable time to initiate the Request for Offer (RFO) process will be Q1 2025.This is the sixth report City Council will consider for the continued evolution of Lansdowne Park, more commonly referred to as Lansdowne 2.0.

Event Centre and Site Plan Control application

Since Council granted approval to proceed with the next steps, staff has also been working toward bringing forward a site plan control application for the Event Centre and new North Side Stands.

Having received an appeal to the Ontario Land Tribunal (OLT), the Zoning By-law amendment and Official Plan Amendment will be considered by the OLT.

An OLT hearing will be scheduled according to the next available date on the Tribunal’s calendar with the City’s legal staff advocating for a date at the Tribunal’s earliest availability.

Work on the future site plan can still proceed during an appeal but without the Official Plan and Zoning By-law amendments in effect, a building permit for the new Event Centre and new North Side Stands cannot be issued, nor can a site plan control application be formally deemed complete and circulated, nor receive final approval.

The first phase of site plan approvals is the new Event Centre. The Event Centre site plan application will be supported by plans and studies, including engineering (civil, geotechnical, transportation), urban / planning design, landscape design, architecture, environmental, and heritage components of the project.

The site plan control application for the new Event Centre and new North Side Stands will be phased in two separate approvals, beginning with the Event Centre site plan work in Q2 to Q3 2024. Below is a conceptual timeline that will be presented to Council for consideration.

Public engagement

Since the launch of the Lansdowne 2.0 Project, City staff have worked to ensure a robust public engagement process has taken place. This has included a dedicated project website for residents to review information, a dedicated email address for residents to send in questions and concerns, four public information sessions, multiple surveys, weekly coffee chats, pop-up events, and weekly meetings with the Ward Councillor.

Should City Council approve the recommendations in this report and continue with the project, there will be many more opportunities to engage with staff and the City on the site plan, detailed design work, and the public realm.

Public engagement during the pre-application stages of the Site Plan application is aimed to both inform and seek input from the public on matters such as:

1. Event Centre and integration with public realm
2. LEED / sustainability elements
3. Heritage
4. Accessibility (through the Accessibility Advisory Committee)

Stay tuned for key dates and upcoming public information sessions.

Committee and Council

The City will be considering Lansdowne 2.0 Procurement Options Analysis and Recommendations and recommendations at:

• April 2, 2024 - Finance and Corporate Services Committee
• April 17, 2024 - City Council

Residents interested in speaking as a delegate at the Committee should contact the City Clerk’s office to register.

Next Steps

Should the OLT appeal be resolved in the City’s favour by end of Q4 2024, the site plan application will be able to proceed through a formal submission and circulation process.

The project will also be able to proceed with a Request for Offer of the Air Rights in Q1 2025, based upon the framework of criteria and based upon the progression of the design of the north side stands.

Progressing site plan and detailed design will afford the opportunity for the submission of a building permit submission on the Event Centre and north side stands by end of Q4 2024 to start of Q1 2025.

For more information, please visit the project webpage here.

If you have any questions, comments or concerns please send us an email at LansdowneRenewal@Ottawa.ca.

On November 24th, 2023, the notice of passing for both the Zoning By-law (By-law 2023-510) and Official Plan Amendment (OPA 19) were issued to commence the 20-day appeal period, with the appeal period closing on December 14th, 2023. This serves as notification that an appeal has been received against Council’s approval of the above-noted Zoning Amendment and Official Plan Amendment from the Glebe Community Association.

The amendment, therefore, will not come into full force and effect and will require determination by the Ontario Land Tribunal (OLT) for disposition.

An OLT hearing will be scheduled according to the next available date on the Tribunal’s calendar with the City’s Legal staff advocating for a date at the Tribunal’s earliest availability.

NEXT STEPS

Notwithstanding the appeal, staff continue to move forward on elements of the project approved on November 9, 2023 (ACS2023-PRE-GEN-0009). This includes those that are targeted for a report back to Council in Q2 2024, comprising of:

- undertaking a procurement options analysis

- development of a social procurement framework

- development of the air rights evaluation criteria

City Council approved the plan for Lansdowne 2.0 today. The plan will help reinvigorate one of the City’s most important assets through the construction of a new mid-size event centre, new north-side stadium stands, a two-storey retail space and two residential towers. At the same time, it provides needed funds for affordable housing in Ottawa.

The existing arena and north-side stands are City-owned facilities that are functionally obsolete and will not be able to live up to their intended use in the future. Maintaining them would require costly, ongoing repairs to fix a growing number of deficiencies. By replacing them, the facilities will become accessible and the environmental impact of operating the building will be reduced. The arena is currently the least energy efficient City-owned facility. In addition, the City and its partner – the Ottawa Sports and Entertainment Group (OSEG) – will draw more major events to Ottawa, increasing potential City revenues and supporting Lansdowne businesses.

The new event centre will accommodate nearly 4,700 general admission seats, and capacity increases to 5,500 for hockey games and 6,500 for concerts. The proposed north-side stands reduce current seating capacity from 14,000 to 11,000 but includes standing room for an additional 900. The approved plan contemplates two residential towers with maximum heights of 40 storeys. Limiting redevelopment to two towers will ensure the site can accommodate about 2,600 square metres of new public space adjacent to Aberdeen Pavilion. The two-storey retail building would include about 4,550 square metres of commercial space.

The City’s total capital cost is estimated at about $419 million, but taxpayers will pay only about one third of that – around $146 million. The approved plan will deliver new City-owned facilities for a net cost of about $5 million a year after factoring in revenues from the sale of subterranean and air rights.

Council carried several motions to further refine the Lansdowne plan, committing the City to:

• Increase the portion of estimated subterranean and air rights value to be allocated to the City’s affordable Housing reserve by 15 per cent (about $5.9 million), in line with the City’s Affordable Housing Land and Funding Policy.
• Direct 50 per cent of any revenues from the disposal of subterranean and air rights that are above the estimated value of $39 million to the affordable housing reserve.
• Remove the 770-unit cap on the number of dwellings that could be developed within the two residential towers and eliminate the minimum parking rate to help address housing needs and provide the City with additional funds through property tax uplift.
• Work with OSEG to develop a social procurement framework to help increase opportunities for traditionally underrepresented groups through the Lansdowne 2.0 project.
• Extend the principles guiding traffic demand management for large events to other events held at Lansdowne.
• Increase the community programming plan in the urban park at Lansdowne to better leverage City facilities on non-event days.
• Advance options to increase and enhance public space at Lansdowne, including improving the interface between the event centre and the Great Lawn, improving access to washrooms and other amenities, and providing flexibility for community use.
• Explore options to re-create a berm in proximity to the Great Lawn, preserving the public art piece, Moving Surfaces.
• Assess the feasibility of possible new active transportation infrastructure, including a signalized crossing at Princess Patricia Way and Queen Elizabeth Drive (QED), pedestrian crossovers on both QED and Holmwood Avenue, protected cycling facilities on Fifth Avenue, a wider westbound bike lane at QED and extended sidewalks on Echo Drive.
• Work with the National Capital Commission and Parks Canada to explore adding boat up access to Lansdowne and a pedestrian crossover on QED at Princess Patricia Way.
• Work with OSEG to consider options for including a roof over the new north side stands.
• Work with OSEG to explore future opportunities at Lansdowne for Ottawa-based independent concert promoters.
• Prioritize a series of public realm improvements that would be funded from future City Budgets.
• Explore making Aberdeen Square a more hospitable and pedestrian friendly area, possibly by closing or further reducing through traffic.
• Consider providing electric charging stations and carshare facilities on City-controlled parking at Lansdowne, and including transportation demand management criteria in the request for offer for subterranean and air rights.
• Study options to help reduce the potential financial risk to taxpayers stemming from this project.

Today’s decision means City work to find an affordable option to secure a vibrant future for Lansdowne will continue. As the City and its partners move ahead with detailed design for the proposed redevelopment, there will be further opportunities for Council to consider before construction begins. That will include opportunities to consider a report on Lansdowne from the City’s Auditor General.

At a joint meeting today, the Finance and Corporate Services Committee and the Planning and Housing Committee referred the plan for Lansdowne 2.0 to Council for consideration on Friday, November 10. This includes a revised concept plan and funding structure to build a new event centre, north side stands, a two-storey retail space and two residential towers.

The Lansdowne plan, which originally included three residential towers, was revised to reflect feedback received from the public. The residential tower closest to Aberdeen Pavilion has been removed and the two remaining towers would be 40 and 25 storeys. Removing one tower also creates an opportunity to introduce about 27,900 square metres of new public realm space adjacent to Aberdeen Pavilion. The updated plan reduces proposed housing on the site from 1,200 to 770 dwellings, and parking from 739 to 336 spaces. It reduces the available commercial space to 49,000 square feet from an original plan for 108,000 square feet.

The new event centre will accommodate nearly 4,700 general admission seats, more than 800 premium seats and standing room for 700. Seating capacity will be 5,500 for hockey games and 6,500 for concert events, with extra capacity available using retractable and flexible seating. The redesigned north side stands would see seating capacity reduced from 14,000 to 11,000, plus standing room for 900.

Over the next 10 years, the City would request capital funding through the annual budget process to enhance the urban park at Lansdowne. There is currently 170,000 square feet of green space, including the berm and, when the event centre is built, that will be reduced to 118,000 square feet of open space. That will be augmented by the additional 27,900 square feet of new public realm space for a total of 145,900 square feet of green and public realm space.

Staff recommend that 10 per cent of the property rights be allocated to affordable housing. The remaining 15 per cent, which would normally be deducted according to the City’s Integrated Transition to Housing Strategy, would be exempt. Allocating 10 per cent would provide the City an additional $3.9 million that can be used immediately towards the City’s affordable housing priority list.

The total capital cost for the City is estimated at approximately $419 million. This estimate includes the cost of preliminary works, construction, costs related to design and delivery, escalation allowances and contingency costs. The City will invest $419.1 million in assets for a net debt servicing requirement of $5.0 million. This equates to $95.4 million in net present value terms. That means taxpayers would be getting a $419.1-million asset for a net cost of $95.4 million.

The City of Ottawa has received a proposal from the Ottawa Sports and Entertainment Group (OSEG) to strengthen the partnership and redevelop Lansdowne to make it financially stable for the long term and to rehabilitate public infrastructure.

Proposal

The proposal is to demolish the existing north stadium stands and arena complex, and build a new, world-class event centre and north stadium stands. This new public infrastructure will make the venues accessible and sustainable, better positioning Lansdowne as an iconic, landmark site. A new retail podium and additional residential units are also included within the proposal.

Project Update

Since the launch of the Lansdowne 2.0 Project, City Staff have worked to ensure a robust public engagement process has taken place. This has included a dedicated project website for residents to review information, a dedicated email address for residents to send in questions and concerns, four public information sessions, multiple surveys, weekly coffee chats, pop-up events, and weekly meetings with the Ward Councillor.

The results of the City’s engagement can be found in the final As We Heard It report on the project website. The Lansdowne project team would like to thank everyone for taking the time to provide their feedback.

Over the last 10 months, city staff has been working on the following:

• The City launched it’s the planning process the required Zoning By-law Amendment and Official Plan Amendment
• The City launched its Public Engagement Process noted above
• The City initiated and completed its Request for Expression of Interest of the Property Rights (REOI)
• The City hired a third-party financial consultant for financial analysis on the 2022 funding strategy, as well as cash flow and financing projections that Council approved and directed staff to investigate further.

Key Public Input

The key themes of public comments from the three public information sessions, email correspondence and coffee chat series include:

Key Themes:

• Density and Intensification –3 towers and potential 40 stories in height
• Green Space - Loss of green space on Great Lawn, tree canopy
• Transportation and Transit - Car traffic within Lansdowne, traffic on event nights, access to QED
• Active Transportation - Cycling infrastructure, pedestrian safety
• Public Realm & Urban Park - Lack of public washrooms, insufficient shade, public art
• Financial Model - Transparency, financial risk
• Retail and Entertainment - Lack of local vendors

Key Changes

As a result of public feedback, financial due diligence, expert 3^rd party advice, and proper city planning, many significant features have changed since the original OSEG proposal was received by the City in May 2022.

• 2 mixed-use towers – The original proposal included 3 high-rise towers. The staff report limits the potential to 2 towers only.
• 40 and 25 stories – The original proposal included 3 towers that could be up to 40 stories. Staff recommend capping the max unit number which would result in only one tower potentially being 40 stories in height.
• Max. 770 units - The original proposal included a unit count of 1200 units. Staff recommend capping the maximum amount of density at 770 units. This allows the flexibility of design but does not allow a second tower of 40 stories in height.
• 336 residential parking spaces - The original proposal included 739 residential parking spaces – reduction of 403 spaces and now implies a parking ratio of 0.4 spaces per unit.
• 35 parking spaces for Event Centre – The original proposal did not include any parking spaces for Event Centre. These new spaces will be dedicated to accessibility, and ease of access for events and minor sports at the Event Centre.
• 27,900 s.f. new public realm - The original proposal did not include any include of public realm space. With the removal of the 3^rd tower, this opens up 27,900 square feet of new public realm space.
• 49,000 s.f. of retail - The original proposal included 108,000 square feet of retail space, this has been reduced to 49,000 square feet of retail space

Cost of Doing Nothing

The City has reviewed the cost of not proceeding with 2.0. It is important for residents also understand the current situation. Some of the key factors of not proceeding with making Lansdowne Park sustainable are as follows:

• The current Civic Centre (arena) is functionally obsolete and will eventually need to be replaced.
• The stadium (TD Place) and arena (Civic Centre) are City assets, and it is the City’s responsibility to replace them. They will need to be replaced eventually.
• As they age, the cost to maintain will only increase.
• The sports facilities are the most energy inefficient buildings the City owns – also increasing cost to operate.
• The Partnership with Ottawa Sports and Entertainment Group (OSEG) is not financially sustainable – year over year deficits since 2014.
• Cannot assume that OSEG will continue to fund these deficits.
• Finding another investor/operator either from the private or non-profit sector will cost the City much more than today. We currently pay nothing into the Partnership’s closed financial system.
• Could cost the City up to $400M or more to keep the old building and continue operations for the next 42 years.

The business case for Lansdowne 2.0 is positive. The City will gain a $419 million dollar asset for $5 million annually in debt serving investment from the City. No other City asset has a stream of revenue similar to Lansdowne to help to fund it. Lansdowne Park has City owned assets that will need to be renewed eventually and the City gains, and retains ownership, of new assets – Event Centre and North Side Stands

Committee and Council

Following months of engagement and review, the City will be considering the Lansdowne Partnership Plan - Authorization to Proceed to the Next Steps in the Redevelopment Report and recommendations at:

• November 2, 2023 - Joint Finance and Corporate Services and Planning and Housing Committee
• November 6, 2023 - Built Heritage Committee
• November 10, 2023 - City Council

Next Steps

Should City Council approve of this report and continue with the project, there will be many more opportunities to engage with staff and the City. Some of the next decision points that will come back to Council in the future include:

• A report of the construction procurement model
• Event Centre Site Plan
• Issue the Request For Offers (RFO) for mixed-use towers
• Construction Procurement tender price

For more information please visit the project webpage here.

If you have any questions, comments or concerns please send us an email at LansdowneRenewal@Ottawa.ca.

The Lansdowne 2.0 report is now live and available for review here.

The City of Ottawa has received a proposal from the Ottawa Sports and Entertainment Group (OSEG) to strengthen the partnership and redevelop Lansdowne to make it financially stable for the long term and to rehabilitate public infrastructure.

Proposal

The proposal is to demolish the existing north stadium stands and arena complex, and build a new, world-class event centre and north stadium stands. This new public infrastructure will make the venues accessible and sustainable, better positioning Lansdowne as an iconic, landmark site. A new retail podium and additional residential units are also included within the proposal. To learn more about the proposal, please visit the Lansdowne 2.0 Engage Ottawa page here.

Project update

The City initiated the planning process to support the Lansdowne 2.0 project on Thursday, June 29. This included the circulation of the Zoning By-law Amendment and Official Plan Amendment for public review and comment.

As part of the application process, the proposed development was presented to the City’s Urban Design Review Panel (UDRP) on Friday, July 7. The presentation focused on four key development objectives: mix of uses, mobility, design and scale, and public realm. The Lansdowne Project team will return to the UDRP as the project advances for further input on the new event centre, north side stands, retail podium, residential towers and public realm.

Accessibility Advisory Committee

The Lansdowne 2.0 project was presented to the Accessibility Advisory Committee (AAC) on Tuesday, August 15 as a first step in consultation on the accessibility needs of the event centre, north side stands and overall site improvements.

The City presented the AAC an evaluation of the existing conditions of the current TD Arena, north side stands and surrounding site, with deficiencies discussed such as:

Existing north side stands

· Lack of fair seating options for those with accessibility needs

· Lack of ability to improve options for accessible seating in locations due to lack of elevator access to upper levels

· Lack of easily and fully accessible washrooms and universal washrooms with adult change tables meeting today’s codes and accessibility standards, in order to meet the needs of the wider community

· Failure of concession stands to meet accessibility standards

Existing Event Centre

· Lack of fair seating options for those with accessibility needs

· Hazard to all posed by stadium support columns, including persons with vision disabilities

· Lack of accessible gate entry options

· Failure of concession stands to meet accessibility standards

· Lack of easily and fully accessible washrooms and universal washrooms with adult change table meeting today’s codes and accessibility standards, in order to meet the needs of the wider community

· Lack of options for locker rooms and referee facilities to accommodate Para sports, such as sledge hockey players/officials, wheelchair basketball, curler, etc.

· Lack of accessible press facilities

The project will continue to consult with the AAC through the design development of the event centre and north side stands, including through future Site Plan Control applications and tendering processes.

Lansdowne 2.0 digital twin

The digital twin is a virtual representation of the proposed development within the context of Lansdowne today. This 3D model is intended to provide a virtual representation of the site once fully built out. The digital twin will continue to be updated as the project evolves, and a final design will be posted online once approved.

Public engagement update

The City launched the first phase of public consultation beginning with a citywide survey on the overall Concept Plan. This survey received over 2,000 responses and has helped City staff gauge the general public knowledge and understanding of the overall proposal.

The City launched a second survey on public realm and staff received more than 700 responses. The As We Heard It Report can be found here.

The City has held three separate public information sessions, focusing on the overall Concept Plan, the Urban Park/Public Realm plan and the Planning Act applications. In total, more than 450 residents attended the sessions. Presentation materials, FAQs and As We Heard It Reports can also be found on Engage Ottawa.

A second opportunity to hear the Planning Act applications presentation and ask questions will be held in a virtual meeting on Wednesday, September 6 at 6 pm. Those interested in attending can register here.

The project team continues to hold the Lansdowne 2.0 Coffee Chat series. These are weekly gatherings where the public can ask questions, learn about the project, and share thoughts with the Director of the Lansdowne Project from the comfort of home or office. You can register for a coffee chat with the Director here.

Residents can also look out for City staff on site where we will ask you to participate in a survey. The collection of this data is crucial to understanding the needs and wants surrounding Lansdowne.

Key public input

The key themes of public comments from the three public information sessions, email correspondence and coffee chat series include:

1. Density
2. Tower height
3. Proximity of Tower 3 to Aberdeen Pavilion
4. Closure of Aberdeen Square to traffic
5. Public realm improvements
6. Financial structure of the project

Committee and Council

The staff report and final recommendations are targeted to come before a joint meeting of the Finance and Corporate Services Committee and the Planning and Housing Committee on Wednesday, October 18, to Built Heritage Committee on Monday, October 23, and to City Council on Wednesday, October 25.

If you have any questions, comments or concerns please send us an email at LansdowneRenewal@Ottawa.ca.

The City of Ottawa is getting ready to host a Lansdowne 2.0 virtual public engagement session on September 6th at 6:00 p.m. (register here).

The session will provide an opportunity for residents to learn more about the City of Ottawa City initiated Official Plan Amendment and Zoning By-law Amendment. These are required to clarify policies within the Official Plan (OP) pertaining to the Lansdowne Special District and ensure OP compatibility and compliance.

Staff will provide a presentation which will be followed by a question and answer period.

Please send any questions in advance of the public information session to LansdowneRenewal@ottawa.ca