The Ottawa Hospital's new Civic campus should be built at Tunney's Pasture, the National Capital Commission recommended Thursday.
NCC staff chose the location over 11 other shortlisted spots , including the previous proposed site on Experimental Farm land near the Civic campus's current location.
The choice will be an unwelcome surprise to some. Hospital officials had ranked Tunney's Pasture, which is along Ottawa's future LRT line, among the least desirable locations for a new campus.
The previous Conservative government had set the Experimental Farm land aside , but the Liberal government restarted the process last year amid complaints that the Conservatives hadn't consulted enough.
The NCC board was to vote on the proposal for Tunney's Pasture on Thursday. If it approves the recommendation, then the final decision belongs to Heritage Minister Melanie Joly, who oversees the NCC.
NCC Committee has found Tunney's Pasture is preferred site for the new civic campus of the ottawa hospital. @ctvottawa
— Annie BergeronOliver (@AnnieClaireBO) November 24, 2016
Committee also found building at Tunney's would have a "minor" impact on the natural environment and agriculture functions. @ctvottawa
— Annie BergeronOliver (@AnnieClaireBO) November 24, 2016
NCC evaluation team says Tunney's chosen based on site size, shape, proximity to urban core and accessibility @ctvottawa
— Joanne Schnurr (@JoanneCTV) November 24, 2016
Hospital would only take up part of Tunney's Pasture (white line). Staff say much of this space just parking lots right now. @ctvottawa pic.twitter.com/UqqJg8gUWR
— Annie BergeronOliver (@AnnieClaireBO) November 24, 2016
"What happens to the old hospital and the heart institute?" asks board member Brian Coburn. #ottnews
— Annie BergeronOliver (@AnnieClaireBO) November 24, 2016
More to come.
