degrandprix
Active Member
Also, rice howard parkade is 75M from this site and has 440 parking stalls. Library parkade is 165M away and has 860 stalls. We don't need another 70 stalls here.
Tower 101 | 175m | 50s | Regency Developments | DER + Associates
- Thread starter Daveography
- Start date
Also, rice howard parkade is 75M from this site and has 440 parking stalls. Library parkade is 165M away and has 860 stalls. We don't need another 70 stalls here.
degrandprix
Active Member
That's because the site looks like trash and there's zero reason for normal people to go there currently, so it's a free space for people to do drugs and not be bothered.
If the site is cleaned up and given a new use that actually draws foot traffic, the drug users will find somewhere else to hang out.
TAS
Senior Member
In listening to the presentation to EDC, the proponents say this area and space along 102 Ave can be made to be "active" and "festive" and "bring the community together". Wow, some views of 102Ave have really changed suddenly.
When the idea to pedestrianize 102Ave was talked about, people opposed to it like @IanO said: "this is simply not needed until we have far, far more businesses fronting it and considerably more people living, working and playing Downtown."
and
"If Ottawa cannot get Sparks Street going with its more favourable width, beautiful storefronts/buildings, small-scale retail and significant daytime density... how are we expected to create a space that people want to linger, that's 'sticky' and full of activity with 102 Ave?"
But this "really nice parking lot" along 102 Ave, as one of the EDC members appropriately called the proposal, is suddenly going to "bring the community together" now because of a couple of tactical, temporary elements like a piece of public art on one corner and a coffee shack in another?
This is a new surface parking lot as it proposed now - pure and simple. How can someone point out that we don't have the businesses, the nearby infrastructure, the foot traffic and enough people living and working downtown in one breath, and then think a parking lot with coffee or ice cream can bring the community together? I appreciate the desire to do so, but you don't really believe what you're proposing will do that, do you?
As an aside, here's the most recent Westrich surface parking lot during a weekday winter afternoon. I'm not saying there was a claim this lot would bring the community together, just sharing it.
When the idea to pedestrianize 102Ave was talked about, people opposed to it like @IanO said: "this is simply not needed until we have far, far more businesses fronting it and considerably more people living, working and playing Downtown."
and
"If Ottawa cannot get Sparks Street going with its more favourable width, beautiful storefronts/buildings, small-scale retail and significant daytime density... how are we expected to create a space that people want to linger, that's 'sticky' and full of activity with 102 Ave?"
But this "really nice parking lot" along 102 Ave, as one of the EDC members appropriately called the proposal, is suddenly going to "bring the community together" now because of a couple of tactical, temporary elements like a piece of public art on one corner and a coffee shack in another?
This is a new surface parking lot as it proposed now - pure and simple. How can someone point out that we don't have the businesses, the nearby infrastructure, the foot traffic and enough people living and working downtown in one breath, and then think a parking lot with coffee or ice cream can bring the community together? I appreciate the desire to do so, but you don't really believe what you're proposing will do that, do you?
As an aside, here's the most recent Westrich surface parking lot during a weekday winter afternoon. I'm not saying there was a claim this lot would bring the community together, just sharing it.
inclusion
Active Member
“Go ahead, clap for mediocrity, that deserves applause. Why don't we find a ford focus and clap around it”
itom987
Senior Member
I don't think any of this was IanO's idea, most likely it was his boss or someone from another department within the company that is pushing for parking lots downtown.
On the subject of ebike/scooter parking, they could also charge them up for a fee enabling everyone from bedroom comunities such as Devon, Spruce Grove, St. Albert and Sherwood Park the opportunity to scoot/bike to downtown and enjoy it while their equipment charges up for the ride home. There might even be some people that will use it on a daily basis to have their equipment charged while working. The idea of parking lots needs to be removed from the table. Is there any way to pressure the decision makers to change their mind? The EDC was being too kind on this. I also wonder if solar panels could be installed for shade and electrical generation.
On the subject of ebike/scooter parking, they could also charge them up for a fee enabling everyone from bedroom comunities such as Devon, Spruce Grove, St. Albert and Sherwood Park the opportunity to scoot/bike to downtown and enjoy it while their equipment charges up for the ride home. There might even be some people that will use it on a daily basis to have their equipment charged while working. The idea of parking lots needs to be removed from the table. Is there any way to pressure the decision makers to change their mind? The EDC was being too kind on this. I also wonder if solar panels could be installed for shade and electrical generation.
archited
Senior Member
^ It may not have been his idea, but he is sure rallying behind it.
Gronk!
Senior Member
What if he switches sides and rallies against it? Do you want him to lose his job?
Avenuer
Senior Member
My hope is that once Westrich is done building their 6-storey projects around O-daymin Park (Lotus Park, Lilac Park and Vantage Park), they will then turn to their 'Downtown parking lot' sites to develop towers on. Who knows, though...
yeggator
Active Member
Let’s not use personal slander. Ian’s a pretty cool guy if you meet him in person, but this whole parking lot proposal is questionable.
archited
Senior Member
There is a famous quote by former U.S. President Lyndon Johnson that kind of applies here...
"A president's hardest task is not to do what is right,
but to know what is right.”
Ian seems to have lost track of what he knows to be right -- it has nothing to do with keeping or losing a job; although when it becomes known how malleable one's principles are it has been my experience that it is difficult to become a trusted employee.
"A president's hardest task is not to do what is right,
but to know what is right.”
Ian seems to have lost track of what he knows to be right -- it has nothing to do with keeping or losing a job; although when it becomes known how malleable one's principles are it has been my experience that it is difficult to become a trusted employee.
yeggator
Active Member
Sorry, I should correct myself. Let’s not use STRAWMAN arguments.
Gus Haynes
Active Member
johnnyboy
Active Member
I’ve already stated where I stand on this, but I'll say it again: this proposal is a terrible outcome for a key downtown site, no matter what state it's currently in.
That said, I’m not convinced dragging IanO’s past advances that argument. He works for Westrich; it’s not hard to imagine he’s constrained in what he can say publicly, whether he personally agrees with this or not. I'm sure all of us have been in some version of this position before with a boss or employer. Heck it happens with me almost every month.
We should continue to roast this proposal on its (de)merits and push Council to intervene without turning it into a proxy fight about one forum member. I don't know IanO from Adam, and I've disagreed with a few of his takes on here.
But the parking lot is the problem, not this thread turning into a character trial about a dumb decision he made years ago.
That said, I’m not convinced dragging IanO’s past advances that argument. He works for Westrich; it’s not hard to imagine he’s constrained in what he can say publicly, whether he personally agrees with this or not. I'm sure all of us have been in some version of this position before with a boss or employer. Heck it happens with me almost every month.
We should continue to roast this proposal on its (de)merits and push Council to intervene without turning it into a proxy fight about one forum member. I don't know IanO from Adam, and I've disagreed with a few of his takes on here.
But the parking lot is the problem, not this thread turning into a character trial about a dumb decision he made years ago.
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Mesopotamia
New Member
wormwood sounds like someone shit in his cereal
wormwood
Active Member
no doubt. my bad. i was having a rough day yesterday.