“This design competition, to be judged by a panel of independent experts, along with extensive public consultation will ensure that the residents of Ottawa are comfortable with the quality and aesthetics of the Lansdowne Park redevelopment,” said Mayor Larry O’Brien. “This project is yet another decision made by Council that demonstrates our belief in the future of our City.”

The Strategic Design Review and Advisory Panel is comprised of: George Dark, an urban designer and landscape architect whose projects include the award-winning University of Toronto Open Space Master Plan and the Downtown Ottawa Urban Design Strategy; Rick Haldenby, Director of the School of Architecture at the University of Waterloo since 1988, whose research interests include the design of mid-sized cities; and Marianne McKenna, an internationally acclaimed architect and founding partner of the Toronto architectural firm, KPMB.

“City Council wants to see Lansdowne redeveloped as an urban place where people from the Glebe, Kanata and Orléans want to visit and spend time,” said Councillor Peter Hume, chair of the City’s Planning and Environment Committee. “The design-competition will be a focused exercise that incorporates a rebuilt Frank Clair Stadium and Civic Centre, together with an appropriate mix of uses including stores, restaurants, offices, theatres and housing.”

The panel will review the designs for the three elements of the Lansdowne redevelopment: the new green front yard next to the Rideau Canal, integrating use of the two heritage buildings at Lansdowne, the Aberdeen Pavilion and the Horticulture Building; the mixed-use building of stores, restaurants, offices, cinemas, hotel and residential units; and the reconstructed Frank Clair Stadium and Civic Centre.

“The Ottawa Sports and Entertainment Group aims to build a new Lansdowne Park that people will want to visit at all times of the day,” said OSEG partner Roger Greenberg. “It will be a place where people can shop, enjoy a leisurely meal or attend a festival concert, soccer or football game.”

“We are pleased that the NCC’s involvement in this important City of Ottawa redevelopment project will help ensure integrated planning of public lands and that the best interest of residents and all Canadians are served.” said NCC Executive VP of Operations Jean-François Trépanier.

In addition to the release of the membership of the Strategic Design Review and Advisory Panel, a Request for Qualifications for design companies interested in the public-space design competition will be released this week. Between three and five firms will be selected to participate in the competition. Each of the short-listed companies will receive $75,000 in recognition of the time commitment and expenses incurred. Part of the design process for the public space will be a workshop in the spring where the design firms can express their ideas while gaining input from citizens and interested community groups about what city residents want to see in the development.

The City of Ottawa, in co-operation with the National Capital Commission and Parks Canada, is overseeing a juried competition for the design of the open space at Lansdowne, a project that is being jointly paid for by the City and OSEG. The members of that jury are: George Dark, who leads the design review panel for the new Lansdowne; Councillor Hume; a representative of the National Capital Commission; and a representative from Parks Canada.

“There will be several opportunities for the public to provide input into the design of the new Lansdowne,” said Councillor Bob Monette. “The City of Ottawa will be encouraging citizens to make further comments on the design of both the public spaces and the commercial elements of the project.”

Opinions collected in last year’s public consultations will be made available to both the Strategic Design Review and Advisory Panel and the jury for the design competition. The public will also be able to provide comments through the city’s website and through the formal committee and Council process.

For more information on the Lansdowne Partnership Plan and for upcoming committee dates and locations, visit ottawa.ca/lansdownepartnership or contact the City of Ottawa at 3-1-1 (TTY: 613-580-2401).