Construction and renovations everywhere in Ottawa these days as we prepare for the 150th Anniversary of Confederation in 2017. Joanne Chianello had a article detailing all the projects in the Capital and she missed quite a few. Here are some of the numerous projects which will transform Ottawa completely by 2017 and beyond. She called it re-imagining the Capital and indeed she is right.
This year we have seen the re-furbishment of Lansdowne Park and the Stadium at a cost of $42 million dollars.
The New Arts Court building on Nicholas Street which will see the expansion of the Ottawa Art Gallery.
The Innovative Centre at Bayview and the new City Library which is destined for that site.
The New bridge over the Rideau River at Stranheard and the new pedestrian walkway bridge on the Airport Parkway which serves as a gate to the Capital with its modern design.
Then the 2.1 Billion dollar Light Rail System under construction the largest project in the City since the building of the Rideau Canal in 1820.
The expansion of the Queensway which will continue this year, this highway crosses the City from East to West.
The total renovations of all the Parliament buildings and the creation of a Parliament precinct at a cost of 3.2 Billion dollars so far.
The 110 million dollar project to rejuvenate the National Arts Centre built in 1967 for the Centennial of Confederation.
The refurbishment of the Science and Technology Museum at 88 Million dollars.
The Ceremonial Road (Confederation Blvd) on the Sussex drive area is also schedule to be completed after 2 years of total reconstruction and re-alignment.
Many other road projects, too many to name all are also in the works and then all the new condo towers being built on average 25 floors or more, which is a first for this City given that up to now 14 floors was the limit.
The Rideau Centre re-building and doubling in size should be mostly completed by March 2015.
Chaudière Falls Windmill housing project and the LeBreton Flat area with a possible new large complex of National stature but details are sketchy on this one just yet. However it will connect the two city centres over the Ottawa River and the falls.
Finally 2 large monuments on Wellington Street, one to the victims of the Holocaust and the other to the victims of Communism. In both cases the Federal government is investing 3 million dollars each and the remainder must come from private donations.
The two monuments are somewhat controversial since the first one is not to all the victims of the Second World War but to just one group the Jews. Europe has had this debate where the war took place and being inclusive of all the victims appear to be the way to go. As for the monument to Communism and its victims it leaves out the victims of Fascism in Europe and it also appears to concentrate in its presentation only on the Polish victims of Communism.
Commemorative monuments should be for all involved and not create category of victims.
At any rate the Capital is changing very rapidly and becoming a great City no longer a town in Ontario. We have taken a long time to shake the small town mentality considering that changes have been happening since 1955, sometimes rapidly and sometimes at snail pace.
This year we have seen the re-furbishment of Lansdowne Park and the Stadium at a cost of $42 million dollars.
The New Arts Court building on Nicholas Street which will see the expansion of the Ottawa Art Gallery.
The new Arts Court which will complement the existing Heritage building.
The Innovative Centre at Bayview and the new City Library which is destined for that site.
The New bridge over the Rideau River at Stranheard and the new pedestrian walkway bridge on the Airport Parkway which serves as a gate to the Capital with its modern design.
New bridge over the Rideau River
Foot bridge over the Queensway at the Train Station
Ottawa Airport Parkway pedestrian bridge
Then the 2.1 Billion dollar Light Rail System under construction the largest project in the City since the building of the Rideau Canal in 1820.
The expansion of the Queensway which will continue this year, this highway crosses the City from East to West.
The total renovations of all the Parliament buildings and the creation of a Parliament precinct at a cost of 3.2 Billion dollars so far.
The 110 million dollar project to rejuvenate the National Arts Centre built in 1967 for the Centennial of Confederation.
The re-designed National Arts Centre of Canada on Elgin Street in Ottawa.
The refurbishment of the Science and Technology Museum at 88 Million dollars.
The Ceremonial Road (Confederation Blvd) on the Sussex drive area is also schedule to be completed after 2 years of total reconstruction and re-alignment.
Many other road projects, too many to name all are also in the works and then all the new condo towers being built on average 25 floors or more, which is a first for this City given that up to now 14 floors was the limit.
The Rideau Centre re-building and doubling in size should be mostly completed by March 2015.
The re-designed Rideau Centre (partial view) South-East corner
Chaudière Falls Windmill housing project and the LeBreton Flat area with a possible new large complex of National stature but details are sketchy on this one just yet. However it will connect the two city centres over the Ottawa River and the falls.
Finally 2 large monuments on Wellington Street, one to the victims of the Holocaust and the other to the victims of Communism. In both cases the Federal government is investing 3 million dollars each and the remainder must come from private donations.
The two monuments are somewhat controversial since the first one is not to all the victims of the Second World War but to just one group the Jews. Europe has had this debate where the war took place and being inclusive of all the victims appear to be the way to go. As for the monument to Communism and its victims it leaves out the victims of Fascism in Europe and it also appears to concentrate in its presentation only on the Polish victims of Communism.
Commemorative monuments should be for all involved and not create category of victims.
At any rate the Capital is changing very rapidly and becoming a great City no longer a town in Ontario. We have taken a long time to shake the small town mentality considering that changes have been happening since 1955, sometimes rapidly and sometimes at snail pace.
Parliament in late Wintery afternoon seen from the West
