Lansdowne Needs You
Target:
All who are interested in keeping Lansdowne a public people place
Sponsored by:
We the undersigned believe that the future of Lansdowne Park should not be determined by an exclusive deal between one sole-sourced proponent and the City.
We believe that Lansdowne Park must be redeveloped for the 21st century in an open and competitive process for the benefit of all Ottawa residents.
We believe that Lansdowne Park must be redeveloped for the 21st century in an open and competitive process for the benefit of all Ottawa residents.
We the undersigned believe that the future of Lansdowne Park should not be determined by an exclusive deal between one sole-sourced proponent and the City.
We believe that Lansdowne Park must be redeveloped for the 21st century in an open and competitive process for the benefit of all Ottawa residents.
We believe that Lansdowne Park must be redeveloped for the 21st century in an open and competitive process for the benefit of all Ottawa residents.
We signed the "Lansdowne Needs You" petition!
# 1,143:
5:32 pm PST, Feb 3,
Harry Musson, Canada
No to privatisation of public Lansdowne lands
No to privatisation of public Lansdowne lands
# 1,142:
5:03 am PST, Feb 2,
Joseph Graham, Canada
Come on guys. We have lost our way and we need our elected officials to show some spine and show us the way out of the shadowy nightmare of corporatism.
Come on guys. We have lost our way and we need our elected officials to show some spine and show us the way out of the shadowy nightmare of corporatism.
# 1,141:
3:28 pm PST, Jan 30,
Name not displayed, Canada
# 1,140:
8:29 am PST, Jan 30,
Dick Harling, Canada
# 1,139:
7:29 am PST, Jan 29,
Phyllis Lambert, Canada
Send us your memories, stories, and photos Share your ideas for how you want Lansdowne to look in the future, for many decades to come Join the Facebook Group, Design Lansdowne Together.
Send us your memories, stories, and photos Share your ideas for how you want Lansdowne to look in the future, for many decades to come Join the Facebook Group, Design Lansdowne Together.
# 1,138:
7:12 am PST, Jan 29,
Name not displayed, Canada
# 1,137:
3:16 am PST, Jan 29,
Michael Fish, Canada
Short of an armed holdup or a bank fraud whereby hundreds of thousands of innocent investors are bilked of their hard earned property, the memory strains to remember a more blatant theft of public property by a supposedly public-minded deliberative body. The whole story reads like that of the Mythical Monster hiding under a bed which suddenly becomes real and eats the children. That our corporate culture should have spawned a business creature to take advantage of a badly led public is simply awful. But that an elected body in a so-called democratic country should actually so comply with its designs simply beggars belief. The City, the Country will long regret this project if it is built; that is without question. But the method of its creation could spread like a malignant virus everywhere that the wiles of corruption and malfeasance lurk beneath the surface of the body politic where public servants stand ready to comply. This Rape of Landsdowne Park in the Capital of a supposedly democratic and transparent country stands almost alone as a monument to squalid public thinking and bad civic expression. The so-called commission with its idiotic limited mandate is a pathetic shroud to be cast over a crime against the people and their patrimony. It should be denounced wherever civilized people gather and those who deign to serve as its collaborators should be forever shunned by all. Michael Fish, architect, Longueuil, QC
Short of an armed holdup or a bank fraud whereby hundreds of thousands of innocent investors are bilked of their hard earned property, the memory strains to remember a more blatant theft of public property by a supposedly public-minded deliberative body. The whole story reads like that of the Mythical Monster hiding under a bed which suddenly becomes real and eats the children. That our corporate culture should have spawned a business creature to take advantage of a badly led public is simply awful. But that an elected body in a so-called democratic country should actually so comply with its designs simply beggars belief. The City, the Country will long regret this project if it is built; that is without question. But the method of its creation could spread like a malignant virus everywhere that the wiles of corruption and malfeasance lurk beneath the surface of the body politic where public servants stand ready to comply. This Rape of Landsdowne Park in the Capital of a supposedly democratic and transparent country stands almost alone as a monument to squalid public thinking and bad civic expression. The so-called commission with its idiotic limited mandate is a pathetic shroud to be cast over a crime against the people and their patrimony. It should be denounced wherever civilized people gather and those who deign to serve as its collaborators should be forever shunned by all. Michael Fish, architect, Longueuil, QC
# 1,136:
10:28 am PST, Jan 19,
Kevin Phillips, Canada
# 1,135:
12:08 pm PST, Jan 2,
Andrea Doucet, Canada
# 1,134:
12:54 pm PST, Dec 28,
Richard Metzler, Canada
# 1,133:
8:29 am PST, Dec 10,
Mary Nightingale, Canada
# 1,132:
6:39 am PST, Dec 4,
Alexandra Serre, Canada
Ottawa needs a world class public park and recreational area at Lansdowne, not another cheap shopping mall and housing development. We've got plenty of that already. Let's do something that will make us proud of being Ottawans, for once! Let's be creative and build something that our children will be proud to inherit and that will put Ottawa on the map as a major tourist attraction. Many narrow-minded administrators, businessmen and citizens laughed when Eiffel built his tower. Now that "crazy and eccentric" project attracts more tourists than any other in Europe and has become a world-renowned symbol of the city of Paris. When will someone with some power in Ottawa have the guts and the vision to build something grand in this city? Perhaps Lansdowne is the place to implement such an ambitious project, and perhaps Clive Doucet is the man who will make it happen. If only he gets the required support from the Ottawa population...
Ottawa needs a world class public park and recreational area at Lansdowne, not another cheap shopping mall and housing development. We've got plenty of that already. Let's do something that will make us proud of being Ottawans, for once! Let's be creative and build something that our children will be proud to inherit and that will put Ottawa on the map as a major tourist attraction. Many narrow-minded administrators, businessmen and citizens laughed when Eiffel built his tower. Now that "crazy and eccentric" project attracts more tourists than any other in Europe and has become a world-renowned symbol of the city of Paris. When will someone with some power in Ottawa have the guts and the vision to build something grand in this city? Perhaps Lansdowne is the place to implement such an ambitious project, and perhaps Clive Doucet is the man who will make it happen. If only he gets the required support from the Ottawa population...
# 1,131:
12:21 am PST, Dec 4,
Greg (Don Gregory), Canada
This has spent too long in the dark, not long enough in the light. A project which will affect so much the future of its neighbourhood and its city needs more examination. Too many of the bads are well understood and almost certain, but dismissed as unimportant. Too many of the goods are vague unspecific promises of uncertain value, but asserted as given.
This has spent too long in the dark, not long enough in the light. A project which will affect so much the future of its neighbourhood and its city needs more examination. Too many of the bads are well understood and almost certain, but dismissed as unimportant. Too many of the goods are vague unspecific promises of uncertain value, but asserted as given.
# 1,128:
5:59 pm PST, Nov 30,
Sean Dolan, Canada
# 1,127:
10:32 am PST, Nov 30,
Rosemary Leslie, Canada
I would like a park area with paths for walking and biking, perhaps a fountain, with seasonal stalls selling refreshments and locally produced art or music.
I would like a park area with paths for walking and biking, perhaps a fountain, with seasonal stalls selling refreshments and locally produced art or music.
# 1,126:
10:54 am PST, Nov 27,
Laurel O'Connor, Canada
And here I thought that Lansdowne was for the city (its citizens), not The City.
And here I thought that Lansdowne was for the city (its citizens), not The City.
# 1,125:
7:05 am PST, Nov 26,
Name not displayed, Canada
# 1,124:
5:58 am PST, Nov 26,
Chris Tidman, Canada
Hi Clive Doucet (next mayor?) Lansdowne will be a pivotal project in the way we develop and manage the city. The park should be accessible by all residents and it should be an asset for the city. I believe that this can be accomplished by creating a sustainable community theme park on the site. Ottawa residents could be sold a low cost annual pass to access what will be a gated community where no body resides. All businesses operating in the park should be owned by Ottawa residents. The farmers market could be owned by 50 farmers who each own 1% of their project with a $1000 equity investment and the on site green hotel for visitors to the city should be owned by 50 Ottawa residents who are already in the hotel business. We should not be creating competition for anyone living in Ottawa. While on the subject of green - I really do not like the little green boxes made from oil. We could have just set up flower pots all over the city inside warm buildings where little red worms could turn the compostable waste into usable fertilizer and sold back to gardeners. We could have 'hired' retired gardeners to do this work and keep the proceeds.
Hi Clive Doucet (next mayor?) Lansdowne will be a pivotal project in the way we develop and manage the city. The park should be accessible by all residents and it should be an asset for the city. I believe that this can be accomplished by creating a sustainable community theme park on the site. Ottawa residents could be sold a low cost annual pass to access what will be a gated community where no body resides. All businesses operating in the park should be owned by Ottawa residents. The farmers market could be owned by 50 farmers who each own 1% of their project with a $1000 equity investment and the on site green hotel for visitors to the city should be owned by 50 Ottawa residents who are already in the hotel business. We should not be creating competition for anyone living in Ottawa. While on the subject of green - I really do not like the little green boxes made from oil. We could have just set up flower pots all over the city inside warm buildings where little red worms could turn the compostable waste into usable fertilizer and sold back to gardeners. We could have 'hired' retired gardeners to do this work and keep the proceeds.
# 1,123:
1:11 pm PST, Nov 25,
Andy Martin, Canada
# 1,122:
12:37 pm PST, Nov 25,
Andrew Henry, Canada
The baseball stadium that one sports promoter convinced a previous council to build sits empty. The CFL has failed twice in Ottawa, and this council wants to spend 129 million to renovate Landsdowne for another sports promoter promising the reflected glory of pro sports. And the pro sports promoter's partners get to build an upscale mall rent free. It would be a strange fiction if it weren't for the fact that it is an absurd reality.
The baseball stadium that one sports promoter convinced a previous council to build sits empty. The CFL has failed twice in Ottawa, and this council wants to spend 129 million to renovate Landsdowne for another sports promoter promising the reflected glory of pro sports. And the pro sports promoter's partners get to build an upscale mall rent free. It would be a strange fiction if it weren't for the fact that it is an absurd reality.
# 1,121:
12:37 pm PST, Nov 25,
Amy Heximer, Canada
What I find most disturbing in the media dialogue about Lansdowne is the notion that "Lansdowne Live" must go ahead to ensure that there is some progress made from the lengthy deliberations. I would argue that, for Ottawa taxpayers, moving ahead is certainly not progress. The current plan does not serve me, nor do I believe it serves the majority of Ottawa citizens. We live in the capital city of a democracy, it would be nice if our elected officials would act in the interest of the public and not bend to the mighty influence of private investment. In a nation built on public works, let's see some public-oriented initiatives. As a tax-payer, the idea of having my dollors support the development of commercial facilities is disheartening and, frankly, disgusting.
What I find most disturbing in the media dialogue about Lansdowne is the notion that "Lansdowne Live" must go ahead to ensure that there is some progress made from the lengthy deliberations. I would argue that, for Ottawa taxpayers, moving ahead is certainly not progress. The current plan does not serve me, nor do I believe it serves the majority of Ottawa citizens. We live in the capital city of a democracy, it would be nice if our elected officials would act in the interest of the public and not bend to the mighty influence of private investment. In a nation built on public works, let's see some public-oriented initiatives. As a tax-payer, the idea of having my dollors support the development of commercial facilities is disheartening and, frankly, disgusting.
# 1,120:
11:27 am PST, Nov 25,
Adam Gibbard, Canada
It's sad that the city has agreed to such a poor plan for Lansdowne. I watched the debate/vote and a lot of the councilors in agreement could only explain themselves through irrational nostalgia of the good 'ol days of football. That's not a representative democracy. That's not even a good reason. How it even got this far is beyond me, but it really has to stop.
It's sad that the city has agreed to such a poor plan for Lansdowne. I watched the debate/vote and a lot of the councilors in agreement could only explain themselves through irrational nostalgia of the good 'ol days of football. That's not a representative democracy. That's not even a good reason. How it even got this far is beyond me, but it really has to stop.
# 1,119:
8:11 am PST, Nov 25,
Murray Weeks, Canada
I think something should probably be done with Landsdowne but I think the public should be consulted. The current unsollicited proposal doesn't seem to be beneficial for the public. The surrounding areas are not in need of a shopping centre, movie theatre complex, etc.. Also, Bank St. can barely accomodate the current level of traffic. I think other ideas should be considered. For instance, why not make Landsdowne a public park? Or how about community gardens, where children could learn about how to grow food sustainably? To me, this would seem to be a wiser decision, if only because it might actually have some kind of long-term benefit to the community. The proposed plan seems to mainly benefit a small group of people, at the community's expense. I don't think citizens of Ottawa should have to pay for a plan to which they are so obviously opposed.
I think something should probably be done with Landsdowne but I think the public should be consulted. The current unsollicited proposal doesn't seem to be beneficial for the public. The surrounding areas are not in need of a shopping centre, movie theatre complex, etc.. Also, Bank St. can barely accomodate the current level of traffic. I think other ideas should be considered. For instance, why not make Landsdowne a public park? Or how about community gardens, where children could learn about how to grow food sustainably? To me, this would seem to be a wiser decision, if only because it might actually have some kind of long-term benefit to the community. The proposed plan seems to mainly benefit a small group of people, at the community's expense. I don't think citizens of Ottawa should have to pay for a plan to which they are so obviously opposed.
# 1,118:
1:45 pm PST, Nov 18,
Erik Olesen, Canada
# 1,117:
6:45 am PST, Nov 18,
Sophia Weber, Canada
I do not think the City should be subsidizing private ventures. The business model and distributions of cash flows disturb me. Where is the City's ROE on it's $120M investment in the stadium? It should be right up there with OSEG's ROE. What happens to the deficits that accrue if there is not enough profit for OSEG's ROE and equity repayment? I am absolutely against this business model.
I do not think the City should be subsidizing private ventures. The business model and distributions of cash flows disturb me. Where is the City's ROE on it's $120M investment in the stadium? It should be right up there with OSEG's ROE. What happens to the deficits that accrue if there is not enough profit for OSEG's ROE and equity repayment? I am absolutely against this business model.
# 1,116:
6:16 am PST, Nov 18,
Rob Young, Canada
# 1,115:
12:36 pm PST, Nov 16,
Name not displayed, Canada
# 1,114:
5:20 am PST, Nov 16,
Mandy Logan, Canada
# 1,113:
1:52 am PST, Nov 16,
Can Atik, Turkey
# 1,112:
12:11 pm PST, Nov 15,
Hille Viita, Canada
Lansdowne Park is a central and unique space within Ottawa; beside a UNESCO World Heritage designated area, and the site itself containing the Aberdeen Pavilion, which was, designated a historic site in 1982. The development of this area is not like developing a farm field or industrial lot. It sits on the banks if the Rideau Canal, and is an area that belongs to the public, the citizens of Ottawa. Once changed, it will be in place for many many years to come. We cannot be so hasty in our decision here and we need to follow proper procedures, and decision making to have something we can all be proud of once done.
Lansdowne Park is a central and unique space within Ottawa; beside a UNESCO World Heritage designated area, and the site itself containing the Aberdeen Pavilion, which was, designated a historic site in 1982. The development of this area is not like developing a farm field or industrial lot. It sits on the banks if the Rideau Canal, and is an area that belongs to the public, the citizens of Ottawa. Once changed, it will be in place for many many years to come. We cannot be so hasty in our decision here and we need to follow proper procedures, and decision making to have something we can all be proud of once done.
# 1,111:
9:49 am PST, Nov 15,
Julia Goodman, Canada
I support an open process whereby a variety of ideas can be presented and considered. The lack of adequate parking and effective rapid transit under the proposal currently under consideration is very worrying as these factors are critical to bringing large numbers of people to the site. My husband and I attended SuperEx this year, using OCTranspo, and found the service less than stellar (buses too crowded to get on, too infrequent, etc.). This one experience would certainly colour negatively our use of the re-developed site, if transit/parking issues are not resolved.
I support an open process whereby a variety of ideas can be presented and considered. The lack of adequate parking and effective rapid transit under the proposal currently under consideration is very worrying as these factors are critical to bringing large numbers of people to the site. My husband and I attended SuperEx this year, using OCTranspo, and found the service less than stellar (buses too crowded to get on, too infrequent, etc.). This one experience would certainly colour negatively our use of the re-developed site, if transit/parking issues are not resolved.
# 1,110:
1:55 pm PST, Nov 14,
DoN Shropshire, Canada
Landsdowne Park is an under developed jewel in the heart of our city. While there is room for both public and private contributions on this space tax payers deserve to benefit from a transparent, public process that entertains proposals from a variety of proponents. I ask Council members to support an open RFP process rather than sole source this process. Don Shropshire
Landsdowne Park is an under developed jewel in the heart of our city. While there is room for both public and private contributions on this space tax payers deserve to benefit from a transparent, public process that entertains proposals from a variety of proponents. I ask Council members to support an open RFP process rather than sole source this process. Don Shropshire
# 1,109:
8:23 am PST, Nov 14,
David Juden, Canada
# 1,108:
6:29 am PST, Nov 14,
Camille Lewis, Canada
Please do not waste this opportunity of a century-plus to accomodate commercial objectives, which are adequately cared for by for-profit enterprises. Landsdowne Park has the potential to be akin to Stanley Park, High Park, Central Park, Hyde Park. You can do it!
Please do not waste this opportunity of a century-plus to accomodate commercial objectives, which are adequately cared for by for-profit enterprises. Landsdowne Park has the potential to be akin to Stanley Park, High Park, Central Park, Hyde Park. You can do it!
# 1,107:
8:35 am PST, Nov 13,
Marc Furstenau, Canada
# 1,106:
10:50 am PST, Nov 12,
G. McColgan, Canada
I have many, many fond memories of my joyous times taking in CFL football at Lansdowne Park on both weeknights and Saturday and Sunday afternoons. How the capital city of our country can't have or support a CFL franchise is totally embarrasssing in itself to say the least. Furthermore most of the people opposed to the Lansdowne facelift probably haven't the faintist clue what a football even looks like or resembles. It's high time these people are given the message that the sporting community in our city far outweighs the community knitters and birdwatchers and the rest of the political purists opposed to bringing back the Ottawa ROUGH RIDERS.
I have many, many fond memories of my joyous times taking in CFL football at Lansdowne Park on both weeknights and Saturday and Sunday afternoons. How the capital city of our country can't have or support a CFL franchise is totally embarrasssing in itself to say the least. Furthermore most of the people opposed to the Lansdowne facelift probably haven't the faintist clue what a football even looks like or resembles. It's high time these people are given the message that the sporting community in our city far outweighs the community knitters and birdwatchers and the rest of the political purists opposed to bringing back the Ottawa ROUGH RIDERS.
# 1,105:
8:40 am PST, Nov 12,
Bob Fraser, Canada
I'm all for developing Lansdowne into a world class site that benefits everyone. The Lansdowne Live proposal sounds like a glorified shopping centre. Why the rush to go forward with this? Let's have an open and transparent design competition and do it right the first time!!
I'm all for developing Lansdowne into a world class site that benefits everyone. The Lansdowne Live proposal sounds like a glorified shopping centre. Why the rush to go forward with this? Let's have an open and transparent design competition and do it right the first time!!
# 1,104:
7:03 am PST, Nov 12,
Jan Armstrong, Canada
# 1,103:
9:38 pm PST, Nov 11,
Abdullah Al Haj, Canada
Always a public space No CFL Stadium should be near TRANSIT WAY SOOOOOOON
Always a public space No CFL Stadium should be near TRANSIT WAY SOOOOOOON
# 1,102:
7:54 pm PST, Nov 11,
Linda Librande, Canada
At a recent luncheon in the Byward Market with colleagues from across the city, we came to the unanimous decision that we were ashamed of Ottawa as a capital city for letting the Lansdowne-wannabe development group get so out of (or is that 'into') control. This process must be opened up as a fair competition to see what really interesting possibilities there are out there, as well as what the people really want. I know we don't want something that smells of closed, backroom deals, and at this point, it does. The competition must be open and run by the City of Ottawa, not one of the business members of the Lansdowne Partnership Plan. This land is public space and must be developed accordingly.
At a recent luncheon in the Byward Market with colleagues from across the city, we came to the unanimous decision that we were ashamed of Ottawa as a capital city for letting the Lansdowne-wannabe development group get so out of (or is that 'into') control. This process must be opened up as a fair competition to see what really interesting possibilities there are out there, as well as what the people really want. I know we don't want something that smells of closed, backroom deals, and at this point, it does. The competition must be open and run by the City of Ottawa, not one of the business members of the Lansdowne Partnership Plan. This land is public space and must be developed accordingly.
# 1,101:
6:05 pm PST, Nov 11,
Gordon Yasvinski, Canada
Lansdowne Park should be a world class park that the city, province and country can be proud of, brimming with art and green space. After Mayor O'Brien is long gone and the CFL franchise fails, being able to say "We told you so" won't be any comfort.
Lansdowne Park should be a world class park that the city, province and country can be proud of, brimming with art and green space. After Mayor O'Brien is long gone and the CFL franchise fails, being able to say "We told you so" won't be any comfort.
