NCC shortlists bidders for LeBreton's 'Library Parcel'

Ottawa is one step closer to seeing constructionresume on LeBreton Flats after the National Capital Commission's (NCC) board of directors approved a short list of bidders to develop a small parcel on the western edge of the downtown core.

The development comes two years after asplashy plan for a major rejuvenation centred around a downtown arena collapsed. Most of LeBretonFlats has sat vacant for decades.

The area in questionencompasses1.1 hectares at 655 Albert St., and is known as the library parcel because it's located just west of Ottawa's futurecentral library, the final design of which the NCCboard also approved Wednesday.

Although five teams responded to the NCC'srequest for qualifications, only three made the cut. They include some usual suspects developers and architectswhose names will be familiar to many but alsoa number of communitypartners.

The proponents are:

• Dream LeBreton:Dream real estate company, which is headingthe Zibi development; KPMB Architects and Perkins & Will withTwo Row Architect and Purpose Building;PFS Studio,landscape architect; EllisDon,construction manager; and Innovation Seven, an Indigenous engagement consultant.
• One Planet Living LeBreton: Windmill Development, which initiatedthe Zibi project and has a number of other well-known developments in Ottawa including the Christ Cathedral tower; Epic Investment Services;Centretown Citizens Ottawa Corporation (CCOC);Diamond Schmidt Architects; DTAH Landscape Architects; and construction company Ledcor Projects Eastern.
• Team Central:Trinity Development Group, which also headed the doomed redevelopmentplan withOttawa Senators owner Eugene Melnyk; Hobin Architecture; Morley Hoppner, construction manager; Ottawa Community Housing,owner and operator of affordable housing; and The Good Companions, a seniors' services provider.

The long-term vision for LeBretonFlats is meant to be "realistic yet also ambitious," NCC CEO Tobi Nussbaum told reporters Wednesday.

• NCC officially launches LeBreton Flats redevelopment plan

The development is meant to be sustainable, and one-quarter of all housing is to be affordable for the Library Parcel, that means 180 of the 600 residential units planned.

Buildings can tower upto 40 storeys along Albert Street, although the area's zoning plan has yet to be approved by city council. The formal proposalprocess is set to begin in May, and the preferred proponent is to be announced in January.

35-year plan approved

The library parcel is the first concrete phase oftheNCC's master plan to develop LeBreton Flats over the next 35 years, which the NCC board also approved Wednesday.

• NCC board OK's preliminary concept plan for LeBreton Flats

Nussbaum said it's important to announce the short listat the same time because the longer-term master plan can seem "abstract" to people.

"Although we're excited about it, we get that people want to see a delivery in reality," Nussbaum said. "It's one thing to have a plan, it's another to see it executed."

This initial project must set the right tone, Nussbaum cautioned. He said the NCC will be looking for a proposal that hits all the markson environmental sustainability and affordability,as well as cultural and heritage elements.

More than 40 per cent of the 29 hectaresat LeBreton Flats will be parks and open spaces, according to the plan. The development blueprint envisions 7,500 people living in 4,000 new units.There's also to be700,000 square feet ofoffice space and another 25,000 of retail.

The plan is to develop LeBreton inphases, starting with the Albert District,the area under consideration now. The other districts include:

• The Park District at the west end of LeBreton, the area's main green space.
• The Flats District, a predominantly residential community with pedestrian-oriented streets and a variety of housing types.
• Aqueduct District, a vibrant cultural and entertainment hub alongside the area's two existing aqueducts, will serve as a destination point for visitorsand is likely the last to be developed.

The first decade of the plan will focus on the residential community along Albert Street, building a municipal park and extending Preston Street north to give pedestrians and cyclists better access to the Ottawa River.