Ottawa Mayor Larry O'Brien says he's optimistic that residents and city council will be excited by a revitalized plan to redevelop Lansdowne Park into a lasting legacy.
"We as council have the opportunity to create a lasting legacy for the future generations of residents and visitors," O'Brien told councillors at his first council meeting since the conclusion of his criminal trial.
"I'm very optimistic that the people and my council colleagues will be excited about what will be put in front of us today and what will be tabled by staff."
The plan includes a renovated open-air stadium, arena, hotel, retail shops, condos and green space. The Aberdeen Pavillion will be turned into a caf� and year-round farmer's market.
The proposal was formally presented to council Wednesday afternoon after months of consultation between members of Lansdowne Live, city staff, the National Capital Commission and Parks Canada.
Roger Greenberg, William Shenkman, Jeff Hunt, and John Ruddy are the four local businessmen behind the plan.
"What we're really trying to do is come up with a plan that's really going to be exciting and will drive development in Ottawa and be a very exciting growth opportunity for the city, to be a world class city," Greenberg said Wednesday.
The Canadian Football League has already awarded a tentative expansion team to the developers behind the project. The group has also applied for a professional soccer franchise in the United Soccer League.
O'Brien said although Lansdowne Park is located in the Capital ward, "it is a gift shared with the whole city."
"I believe the proposal not only meets the tests of being a good neighbour in Capital ward, but also provides an exciting balance of financial prudence and active, responsible city-building," he said.
But Catherine Lindquist of the Glebe Business Improvement Area questions the amount of new retail space Lansdowne Live will bring.
"(It's) the equivalent of what we have now in the Glebe," Lindquist said. "That would double the amount of retail in the Glebe. It's also the same size as Carlingwood Mall. That's just unacceptable."
A 30-day public consultation period is now scheduled before a final council vote on Lansdowne Live.
The push to renovate Lansdowne Park gained additional traction after the 2007 FIFA U-20 World Cup, when the south stands at Frank Clair Stadium were deemed unsafe. An April report added the north-side stands to the dangerous side of the ledger.
The structural capacity review said the stands at Lansdowne Park should be restricted to 60 per cent capacity, for safety reasons. It also reports that the Civic Centre is starting the crumble.
With a report from CTV Ottawa's John Hua and Norman Fetterley
