Study suggests retail at Lansdowne Park will draw crowds

A new study by an independent consultant concludes consumers will be able to support an influx of retail stores when Lansdowne Park gets redeveloped.

Consultant John Williams says his study suggests new retail shops at Lansdowne will likely compliment stores and shops operating in the Glebe.

"This is an opportunity to ‘fill in the blanks' so to speak. It's also a form of one-and-one. You have the Glebe and this: one and one can add up to three. It enlarges the critical mass and the larger the critical mass in retail, the greater the draw," said John Williams, of J.C Williams Group.

The recommendation for Lansdowne Live calls for 300,000 square feet of new retail space at the historic park. However, Glebe business owners say the study raises alarm bells.

Ottawa city council will hold a final vote on the Lansdowne Live plan in June.

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  John Williams, of J.C Williams Group, says new retail at Lansdowne Park will likely bring more customers to the Glebe.