Ottawa city councillors are underway with a marathon debate to decide whether to move forward with a $250-million plan to redevelop the city's historical Lansdowne Park.

Although council is yet to vote on the plan, it appears the majority of councillors support a deal that would transform the park into a sport and entertainment destination, bringing CFL football back to the capital.

The plan, put forward by Ottawa Sports and Entertainment Group (OSEG), would renovate Frank Clair Stadium, and build 350,000 square feet of commercial retail space at the site. It also includes 250 housing units, as well as developing an urban park on Lansdowne's front lawn.

The stadium itself will be rent-free to developers for 30 years. Taxpayers would contribute nearly $173 million to the project, while developers will pay $117 million.

Motions to amend the plan

Although it appears the majority of council supports the plan, councillors spent all day Monday pouring over 45 motions to amend the project.

"I think it's nuts," said Coun. Jan Harder.

She says council needs to think about the redevelopment plans as a big picture decision.

"I think that the Congress Centre, what we do with Lansdowne and the new trade show space -- I think that they will turn Ottawa around and give us the tools to become a fabulous city."

The most significant motion was put forward by Coun. Alex Cullen, who wanted to defer the plan until January 2011, handing the project over to a new council. That motion was defeated 15-9.

Still, Cullen says there's a chance the incoming council could stall the project.

"I expect as the public learns more about this and learns more about the public subsidy that's going into this, and what the benefits and costs are going to be, there will be a reconsideration by the new council," he said.

However, the mayor disagrees. He believes residents will elect a new council who will back the deal.

"I believe the citizens of Ottawa will choose the candidate for mayor and the candidate for councillor who will support that position. I also believe having said that very strongly, that this program will still move forward," said Mayor Larry O'Brien.

Decision needed now

Although council has plenty of information about plans to renovate the park, councillors won't see final details of the site plan until November, after the Oct. 25 municipal election.

Coun. Rick Chiarelli, who supports the Lansdowne redevelopment project, says he believes council has enough information to approve the deal now.

"If this were to be delayed until after the election, it means there wouldn't be a vote on it until January, or February, or March. Our private sector partners would walk away, and who could blame them?" said Chiarelli.

"You will never have complete information, but we've had more information on this than we've had on any other proposal put before us."

Roger Greenberg, one of the developers behind the project agrees. He says any more delays will cause the plan to lose momentum.

"It's important for the process that we not lose momentum. A lot of people have been working very hard on the process. To ask everyone, including the city officials and consultants, to put down their tools so to speak for nine to 12 months, is a difficult undertaking for everyone," he said.

Other options for Lansdowne?

Meanwhile, Coun. Clive Doucet, who represents residents living in Ottawa's Glebe neighbourhood, remains firmly against the project. He says residents shouldn't consider this the only option for Lansdowne Park.

"I want to see the best for my children and my grandchildren, and I know a shopping centre isn't the best thing I can do for them," he said.

Doucet adds he's dismayed many residents think the plan is the only option to transform Lansdowne Park into a "grand public assembly place."

"It's in tired and drab shape now, but you know its future could be glorious and a shopping centre will never be glorious. No matter how much they tweak it or twist it, it's always going to be a shopping centre."

Transportation problems?

Doucet also disagrees with plans to renovate Frank Clair Stadium, noting that transportation problems will likely contribute to poor attendance at sporting events held there.

"It hasn't been a successful stadium at Lansdowne Park since 1985. There's no public transit whatsoever, there never will be. And the idea of these massive shuttle buses moving back and forth -- I'm sorry, there's a reason why football hasn't succeeded there for 30 years and it's because you can't get to it."

If the deal is passed, the stadium is expected to be home to a new CFL franchise in 2013.

With a report from CTV Ottawa's Catherine Lathem