Dedicated to Preserving Our Built Heritage Winter 2009 Volume 36, No. 1

Our still Includes Culture! By David B. Flemming

recently attended two excellent local theatre I productions, one by Vintage Stock Theatre and another, a benefit for the Ottawa International ) e

Children’s Festival which included young artists r t n e

from the Ottawa School of Speech and Drama. The C

e g a

one thing these three organizations had in common t i r e

was that the ’s draft 2009 budget H

' s r

recommended cancellation of city funding for two Meg Hamilton, manager e k r of them and a 42% cut to the third. of the Council of o W

Heritage Organizations f o

y

Many Heritage Ottawa members will remember in Ottawa, chats with s e t r

the 2004 budget deliberations where similar cuts to some of Ottawa's u o c

most renowned n

arts and heritage funding were proposed. At that o s

“historical figures” n i k

time the cultural community mobilized and after a r

at a press conference a P

long and acrimonious debate, the proposed cuts attended by hundreds y r r a

were reinstated. With the subsequent approval of of arts and heritage B

: o

supporters at City t the Museum Sustainability Plan, the Arts o h Investment Strategy and the Festival Sustainability Hall on November 18. P Plan many of us felt that the city had finally recognized the value of investing in local arts and heritage organizations and programs. As in 2004, the arts and heritage community How wrong we were! responded to the proposal by demonstrations, letter-writing, meetings with councillors, attending The draft 2009 budget proposed the elimination budget consultation meetings and making up a of municipal funding for historical and heritage large proportion of the 250 public delegations at the organizations (including Heritage Ottawa), Committee of the Whole (see copy of my address numerous arts organizations and festivals, and on page 2). Again, as in 2004, we were successful in proposed drastic cuts and deferral in funding having all the proposed cuts reinstated when for community museums and arts service council passed the 2009 budget on December 10th. organizations. This amounted to 54% of the proposed budget cuts even though the entire arts, Thanks to those of you who wrote to your heritage and festivals funding envelope only councillor or spoke at public meetings. Your efforts amount to one third of one per cent of the total were instrumental in having the proposed cuts reinstated. City of Ottawa budget. David B. Flemming is past-president of Heritage Ottawa.

1 Arts and Heritage Funding At Risk

Remarks by David B. Flemming, Past-President of Heritage undertaking much-needed research to identify Ottawa at the meeting of ’s Committee buildings and landscapes with potential for of the Whole on Monday, December 1st, 2008. designation under the Heritage Act, research I am here to speak in support of the City of that the city does not have the funds to undertake. Ottawa’s arts, heritage and festivals programs and Our efforts complement the important work services and to urge you to table a budget which done by Ottawa’s under-resourced but dedicated will reflect a balanced approach to the needs of Heritage Planning Section whose two employees Ottawa and its citizens. are hard-pressed to meet the demands arising from Heritage Ottawa is a totally volunteer Ottawa’s policy of intensification of development. organization which has worked for nearly 35 years (The City of Toronto has 13 employees in its to preserve our city’s built heritage. We have Heritage Preservation Services section.) contributed to the development of the city’s We also support the work of the city’s Official Plan and Arts and Heritage Plan. We also hard-working Heritage Development Section participate in numerous consultations dealing with that has seen a recent major management staff community design, intensification of development loss with threats of still future cuts as part of the and other matters dealing with our built heritage. mayor’s effort to find “efficiencies” in the city’s Over the past year we have contributed nearly 2000 operation. volunteer hours to our community. Through our yearly series of eight lectures, We make regular presentations to the Local 12 walking tours and our quarterly Newsletter we Architectural Conservation Advisory Committee, educate and inform the public of the importance Planning & Environment Committee, City Council of our built heritage as an integral part of Ottawa’s and the National Capital Commission on a wide civic history. The city does not have the staff or range of subjects. A year ago I wrote to council resources to deliver these services. urging the establishment of an emergency heritage Heritage Ottawa is also a founding member preservation protocol to prevent “demolition by of and was the lead neglect,” an all-too-frequent occurrence in our city. organization in a collaboration which successfully I am pleased to note that Councillor Bédard with obtained a $33,000 Ontario Trillium Foundation the participation of city staff, have developed our Grant to develop a sponsorship and educational proposal into a report that will go to council in 2009. plan for this important popular event. Without our We also work with neighbourhood and participation in this application, the city would not community groups to advise and assist them in have been eligible to receive such funding.

Heritage Ottawa is a non-profit Directors: John Arnold, organization dedicated to the preservation Richard Belliveau, of Ottawa’s built heritage. Marc Billard, Susan Buggey Vacant Ken C. Clavette, President Ken Elder, Anwareen Farouk, Ian Ferguson, Meryl Oliver, Veronica Vaillancourt Heritage Ottawa David Jeanes Editor 2 Daly Avenue Vice-President Peter O’Malley, Carolyn Quinn, Paul Stumes Jan Soetermans Ottawa, Ontario K1N 6E2 Willam R. Price Secretary Graphic Designer Tel: 613-230-8841 Heritage Ottawa acknowledges David Ivison the financial support of the Tina & Company Fax: 613-564-4428 Treasurer City of Ottawa and the Printing Email: [email protected] Web: www.heritageottawa.org David B. Flemming Ontario Ministry of Culture Past-President

2 Currently, in partnership with the Architectural and with the Ottawa Museum Network. We are Conservancy of Ontario and the University of currently working with the Museum in the Waterloo’s Heritage Resources Centre, Heritage development of its new Capital Neighbourhoods website. Ottawa volunteers are conducting door-to-door Ours is just one example of how funding for surveys as part of a province-wide Heritage arts, heritage and festivals supplements the work of Conservation District Study supported by an a small core of city arts and heritage staff. This $80,000 grant from the Ontario Trillium Foundation. “investment” has a multiplier effect by enabling The result of this study will support the work of these organizations to raise even more funds from the city’s Heritage Planning Section which does not other levels of government and private sector have the resources to undertake such a study. sources, all for the benefit of the citizens of Ottawa. We work closely with the Council of Heritage Organizations in Ottawa in its promotional activities

From the Past President….

This is my first report to the Because of the February 27th vote for membership as Heritage Ottawa’s reconsideration, council’s motion to order Ashbury past-president. Despite efforts of not to demolish 204 Springfield was not deemed to the search committee to find a have been passed within the time period allowed new president, the position under the Ontario Heritage Act and thus had no remains vacant. legal standing. Mayor O’Brien encouraged the Although much time was spent over the past reconsideration which resulted in the lapse of the six weeks dealing with the proposed municipal order to save the buildings during which he openly budget, Heritage Ottawa volunteers have been admitted to council that he had served as a member engaged in matters other than “fighting City Hall” of the Ashbury board when the two buildings had over the proposed budget. been purchased. He assured councillors, however, that Ashbury was aware of council’s vote to retain I received no reply to my request to the mayor 204 Springfield and assured them that the school and councillors for an explanation of the vote to “…would never do anything that is not in the best reconsider the proposal by to interest “of the community. Despite the mayor’s demolish 204 & 212 Springfield Road, two of the assurance, Ashbury demolished both buildings in oldest buildings in the Village of . early October. (“What Happened?” Heritage Ottawa Newsletter Spring/Summer 2008, pp.1-3) The on-again/off-again status of 456 Lansdowne Road North is now in the hands of the Ontario Municipal Board who will consider the owner’s appeal of city council’s decision opposing the demolition of the building (see Heritage Ottawa Newsletter Winter 2008, p.6 & Spring/Summer 2008, p.9). On a more positive note, I am pleased to report s n progress on Heritage Ottawa’s recommendation a m r e that the city adopt an emergency protocol to deal t e o S

with heritage buildings at risk (see Heritage Ottawa n a J

: Newsletter, Winter 2008, pp.11-12). The intent of the s o t o proposal was to develop an emergency heritage h P preservation protocol, similar to that adopted by Two of the oldest houses in the former Village of Rockcliffe Park, the City of Hamilton that involves fast response now demolished.

3 and cooperation between the Building Code to a grant from the Ontario Trillium Foundation. Services Branch, By-law and Regulatory Services A report will be issued in 2009. Branch, Ottawa Fire Services, and Planning Branch We continue to deal with the challenges of for the purpose of preserving and protecting melding the goals of intensification of development heritage buildings neglected by their owners. with protection afforded buildings in heritage This protocol would be triggered under certain conservation districts. Over the past year, on circumstances for buildings designated under behalf of Heritage Ottawa, I have supported Parts IV and V of the Ontario Heritage Act. Thanks “good” intensification and challenged inappropriate to the efforts of Councillor Bédard and city staff proposals. On September 10th, I participated from the departments noted above, a report dealing in a forum on intensification hosted buy the with procedures to prevent “demolition by neglect” Community Association. The will be presented to council in early 2009. event drew over 100 participants. Heritage Ottawa volunteers have been conducting Our successful 2008 walking tour program door-to-door surveys in Sandy Hill, ByWard drew 365 participants and raised nearly $2400 in Market and Lowertown as part of a province- much-needed revenue. Our first three lectures for wide Heritage Conservation District Study jointly 2008-2009 have been well-attended and we are sponsored by Heritage Ottawa, the Architectural anticipating a good turnout for the balance of the Conservancy of Ontario and the University of lecture series. I hope to see many members at our Waterloo’s Heritage Resources Centre. The purpose upcoming lectures. of this study is to answer the question: “Have On behalf of myself and other members of the Heritage Conservation Districts in Ontario been Board of Directors, I wish you all the best for successful heritage planning initiatives over a the New Year! period of time?” This survey is being done thanks Mayfair Theatre, a New Lease on Life By Ken Clavette

ith a fresh Heritage Designation and a new as its painted ceiling, W lease to continue operations it looks like the ornate plaster façades, Mayfair Theatre will have a future in Ottawa. faux balconies (which On October 8, 2008 city council adopted a give the appearance of a recommendation from the Local Architectural Mediterranean plaza), site

Conservation Advisory Committee for a heritage wrought ironwork, and web designation of the Mayfair, the oldest surviving ornamental glass windows.

theatre in Ottawa. Located The exterior of the building, Mayfair

at 1074 , this which was drastically altered the

with the removal of the om

family run business was Fr established in 1932 during marquee, is not designated.

the heyday of the new “The designation of the Poster: “talking picture” theatres. This was also a time of Mayfair Theatre under Part January’s line-up featured a strong competition between neighbourhood movie IV of the Ontario Heritage James Bond Film Festival. palaces when new independent theatres tried to Act will ensure it cannot be differentiate themselves stylistically from other torn down or altered without the permission of city cinemas to attract business. council,” said Capital ward Councillor Clive Doucet. The Mayfair, an atmospheric cinema, was built “The Mayfair will remain an important landmark in in what is called a second Spanish-Revival style. It our community, and hopefully, continue to contribute received the heritage designation for such features to Ottawa residents’ love of cinema and film.”

4 site The “atmospheric style” of web theatre design is attributed to

Mayfair John Eberson (1875-1955), an the

om Austrian-born architect, who Fr The theatre’s interior in 2008… and 1944 began designing theatres in the Photos: John Calvert of the Ottawa South History United States in the 1920s. Project credits the support of the Ottawa South Eberson’s concept was based on Community Association as an important part of the the desire to give the theatre-goer designation process. His group used e-mail and a Facebook site to connect with people. “It was key,” the sensation of being transported he said, noting that “there were 110 people on an to another time and place, to distract e-mail list and 500 more people who signed up as friends of the ‘Friends of the Mayfair Theatre’ Face them from life's problems and Book page.” Their activities increased the pool of provide them with an atmosphere volunteers with a number of people coming for- ward to help because of the Face Book page. of rest and beauty. Common Calvert believes that “…buildings and culture themes included an Italian garden, are an important part of a workable community” and he welcomed a new group of Ottawa business Persian court, and Spanish patio. leaders who have negotiated a 10-year LACAC Report lease for the 76-year- old cinema from its

e) Vancouver owner, it was beautiful – it had a curtain that rose, giving Stephen Ng. The every screening a sense of occasion, and faux boxes Theatr Mayfair closed in on the side, with coats of arms and draperies that December to refurbish made it look like something the Queen might visit Mayfair

- the interior and if she wanted to see the second run of some summer make technical action thriller that she missed." 2868 improvements to the While Ottawa has lost many grand theatres – AO sound system and the Centre (1915-1973), the Regent (1916-1972), and

(4.12) seating. The theatre the Capital (1920-1970) – this designation of the 1 reopened with a party Mayfair demonstrates that council has finally taken 56-1 and open house on action to preserve the oldest remaining theatre in (RG January 2, 2009. Ottawa, having opened in 1932. Longtime film critic For more information on the Mayfair and the Ontario of and Ottawa South many other theatres of our past, Alain Miguelez’s resident Jay Stone was A Theatre Near You: 150 Years of Going to the Show chives quoted in the Citizen, in Ottawa-Gatineau is an excellent read. Ar P “The theatre may be a Or go to the Mayfair Theatres’s web site at bit rough around the

Photo: www.mayfairtheatre.ca edges, but it’s still a The view…1944. The theatre was grand place to take in Ken Clavette is the Executive Director of the Workers’ showing “The Hour Before Dawn” a film. The Mayfair starring Veronica Lake and Heritage Centre and is a member of the Heritage Ottawa “Heat’s On” with Mae West. was a little faded, but Board of Directors.

5 What’s Missing in this Photograph? By Ken L. Elder

hat’s missing in this 1920 photograph is proper, which began in 1917, to proceed independent the 90 metre (300 foot) high , of the tower, which explains the 1920 aerial W the great iconic symbol of Ottawa. Were it photograph, showing a building virtually complete not for McCarthy Aerial Service Limited, a compa- but without a tower. The first parliament sat in the ny formed in 1919 by a number of Canadian pilots new building on February 26, 1920. who had flown with the RAF during World War I, The cornerstone for the Peace Tower or Victory we would not have this view. Using an ex-RAF Tower as it was frequently called was laid by Edward Prince of Wales on September 1, 1919 as part of a Royal Tour of Canada. It is not difficult to see why writers frequently used the “Victory Tower” designation when one reads the final sentence of the Prince’s speech “I today am privileged to lay the corner stone of the Tower of Victory, which will crown and complete the work.” or the inscription on the cornerstone “THIS STONE WAS LAID BY/ collection EDWARD PRINCE OF WALES/ SEPT. 1ST / IN THIS

Elder YEAR OF VICTORY/ FINIS CORONAT OPUS.” K.

The laying of the cornerstone was largely symbolic 127) as working drawings for the base of the tower were more than a year away. Once construction started Postcard: in earnest, Canada/C-001 Postcard. Oblique aerial photograph of from the north. progress was McCarthy Aerial Service Limited, Toronto, 1920

fairly swift chives and by May Ar

Curtis JN-4 biplane and war surplus British and 1922 had cameras, the company criss-crossed southern reached the Ontario taking these pioneer images for reproduction level now (Library on postcards. Most of the photographs were taken occupied by at altitudes of between 200 and 300 feet. The twenty 1919. the carillon 1, or so Ottawa postcards published by McCarthy keyboard Aerial Service Limited are some of the earliest room or

aerial photographs taken of the city. September about half the After the disastrous fire of February 3, 1916 which height of the Ceremony for the laying of the corner-stone of destroyed the , the government lost little tower. Here, the Peace Tower, Parliament Building. time in engaging architect, John A. Pearson of because of a Darling & Pearson, Toronto and associate architect labour dispute and disagreement over the architect’s J. Omer Marchand of Montreal to come up with a fees, the construction of the tower stalled. Despite replacement. If newspapers are to be believed they the ongoing dispute over fees, in February 1923, were on the job within a week of the fire. On Pearson delivered the working drawings for the March 21, 1916 draft plans of the remodeled Memorial Chamber forming the first floor of the Parliament Building were exhibited to members of tower. The gifts of stone from Belgium (black & Parliament. Unlike the Victoria Tower of the Fuller St.-Anne marble), France (Chateau Gaillard stone) and Jones design of 1859, the new central tower and Great Britain (Hoptonwood limestone) and was treated as a campanile or free-standing bell the stone gathered on the battlefields of France, tower. This enabled the work on the building for incorporation in the Memorial Chamber, had

6 arrived by late summer 1923 and construction of the Chamber began. On September 26, 1923 Pearson reluctantly agreed to continue with the collection)

project and delivered the plans for the upper part Elder

of the tower in January 1924. In March a vote of (K.

$60,000 for completion of the tower was passed by Ltd. Parliament and construction resumed. This still left Co., unsettled the question of a carillon, leading one Art Ottawa man to write the Ottawa Journal: Fine During the past years the tower has been uninviting to our own people and also to our many visitors; but what about the carillon. This tower would give a grand opportunity for International such a memorial to all our heros of the war, and Doctored photo showing a fanciful design of the Victory Tower before I trust the Government will make provision its actual completion. both in the building and in the estimates for the Great Clock. In May, employees of Cowan & such a beautiful peal of bells which would for Hollister began the installation of the three stained all the future be an attraction worthy of the glass windows of the Memorial Chamber. At 4:00 Capital of Canada. The city authorities might a.m. on July 1, 1927 a test of the carillon was made impress upon the Government the advantages for the first time and adjustments made. Shortly of such a set of bells. after 11:45 in the morning, Viscount Willingdon, Early in 1925 the government bowed to public Governor- General of Canada was handed the electric pressure and invited tenders for a carillon. This is key-block to signal the carillonneur, Percival Price, not surprising given the vogue in North America who then proceeded to play “O Canada,” “The for carillons; Metropolitan Methodist Church Maple Leaf for Ever” and “God Save the King.” (1922), Norfolk War Memorial, Simcoe (1925), After more and St George's Anglican Church, Guelph (1926). than 8 years of On April 20, 1925 the Minister of Public Works construction the informed Parliament that Gillett and Johnston of Victory Tower Croyden, England were the successful tenderers. was essentially In February 1925 tenders were called for the three complete. stained glass windows of the Memorial Chamber The various and on November 23, 1925 a contract was entered names being with Cowan and Hollister of Toronto. used by the At least one postcard publisher, International press during the Fine Art Co., of Montreal got so impatient with Diamond Jubilee progress on the tower in the mid-1920’s that they celebrations to resorted to doctoring a photograph to show a describe the somewhat fanciful but complete Victory Tower. central tower

There is nothing like a deadline to rush a was a concern collection project to completion. In the case of the Victory to architect Tower it was the elaborate plans being made for John A. Pearson. Elder K. a national celebration of the Diamond Jubilee of With plans for Confederation. For three days in July of 1927 the an unveiling of

south façade of Parliament would provide a back- the Altar of Postcard: Remembrance drop for events in Ottawa. In February of 1927, th Postcard. 60 Anniversary of by the Prince of employees of Gilette & Johnson began installation Confederation, celebrations 1 July, 1927. of the 53 bell carillon and Westminster Chimes for Unknown photographer. Wales scheduled

7 for August 3rd. he saw an opportunity to clear I understand it is likely there will be issued a up this confusion. In a letter to the Prime Minister short official programme of the ceremonies and he stated: that the frontispiece will be a photograph of the May I suggest that you consider, “The Peace Tower, if so it should be properly titled with Tower”. I think that Memorial Tower is more whatever designation you decide on so that it euphonious than Peace Tower – but – The Book will be officially settled... of Remembrance, The Memorial Chamber in the The suggestion was taken up and the Peace Memorial Tower. This seems to be overdoing Tower designation formalized. For symbolic reasons, Remembrance and Memorial. Would not The the official opening of the Memorial Chamber was Memorial Chamber in The Peace Tower cover delayed until Armistice Day, November 11, 1928, your idea. when Prime Minister Mackenzie King opened the I think something should be done to settle this space to the general public. The Book of point for I have seen illustrations of the Tower Remembrance, to be placed on the Altar, was not designating it – The Memorial Tower – The completed until 1942. Victory Tower – The Peace Tower, etc., etc… Ken L. Elder is a member of the Heritage Ottawa Board of Directors and a longtime deltiologist (collector of postcards). Is Heritage a Thing of the Past? By Meryl Oliver This was the title of a forum hosted by the The event followed successful efforts by the New Edinburgh Community Association (NECA) New Edinburgh community to stop a development on September 10 that examined how historic that would have replaced a small 1960s bungalow neighbourhoods like New Edinburgh can survive with three townhouses at 132 Stanley Street. the relentless pressure of intensification. The purpose The proposal was turned down by LACAC but of the evening was to focus on practical solutions approved at council and only defeated when it to help preserve Ottawa’s heritage including what went to the Committee of Adjustment. The Stanley neighbourhoods and the heritage community can Street development was not a unique situation in do to organize against inappropriate development; New Edinburgh or the city but simply a “flash- how best to interact with city council, city advisory point.” The community’s victory was significant committees, and city staff; and how to influence after a number of very difficult losses in heritage Ottawa’s Official Plan and ensure that good neighbourhoods such as the demolition of two of policies are written and put into practice. Rockcliffe Park’s oldest houses by Ashbury College Because New Edinburgh is not alone in facing and the approval of a residential building in challenges from the intensification policy, members that is twice the height allowed by the of communities and neighbourhoods from across heritage overlay. Ottawa were invited to attend. The Forum panellists The evening involved a lively discussion about brought a variety of perspectives to the discussion. development across the city and how the process Members of the panel included past president of could work better for everyone. One developer who Heritage Ottawa, David Flemming, Jay Baltz spoke from the audience was seeking more positive (chair of LACAC), Herb Stovel, (heritage expert ways to work better within the community. and professor at Carleton University), and Although no concrete solutions were agreed Paul McConnell (co-chair of NECA’s Heritage & upon by the end of the evening, the Forum indicated Development Committee). Richard Kilstrom of the a real desire throughout the city to transfer City Planning Department was also on hand to answer lessons re successes and failures from one city questions. The audience actively participated in the neighbourhood to another. dialogue including Councillor Jacques Legendre, and Meryl Oliver is a member of the Heritage Ottawa Board of members of community organizations from across the city. Directors.

8

City Seeks Ways to Improve Streetscapes By John Arnold

On October 6, 2008 Heritage Ottawa received an invitation from Mayor, Larry O’Brien, to participate in Focus Group Sessions October 27 and 28, 2008 to help develop the Integrated Street Furniture Program for Ottawa. John Arnold volunteered to represent Heritage Ottawa at the October 27 session on accessibility. This report briefly explains Heritage Ottawa’s interests and vision.

he increase in sidewalk width on Bank Street s n a

is a very positive improvement for pedestrians, m r e t

T e shoppers and business people alike and will o S

n

allow more space for street furniture. a J

: s o t

Ottawa could take a leaf from the rejuvenation o h of the Distillery District in Toronto. To take Bank P Street as an example, Ottawa is fortunate in having Widening the sidewalks and adding attractive street furniture will be a wealth of heritage stores and businesses that still steps in the right direction. exist there. It is unfortunate that buildings erected in Trees are always a welcome addition to the past 50 years or so shopping streets. They always add joy to the street. lack the personality and interest of their forebears. Signage must get a message across with gaiety, With careful planning, spontaneity, colour and taste. In my opinion the Bank Street could present ads in most of the city’s bus kiosks are emulate many aspects examples of good design. We should aim for the of the transformation of best and most effective ads possible. They should the Distillery District; it be easy on the eye. In regard to city-administered versus private contracts An attempt at beautification for could become a modern, the holiday season. A tiny tree is vital, safe and visually for advertising, it may serve the city better to hire adorned with lights. A more exciting streetscape – private contractors. Government administered permanent solution would be historic buildings provide programs tend to cost more and private companies more desirable. a great backdrop for tend to have more imaginative results. Street successful businesses. To improve its street furniture and advertising requires excellent design. shopping areas, the City of Ottawa might encourage Good design can save money and provide a better owners of heritage buildings to maintain their product. My advice is to go for the best designers buildings to increase appeal and also increase money will buy. customer enjoyment. Some years ago, Heritage Canada initiated successful Street lighting should complement the street improvements across the country under their buildings and the atmosphere of the streets. Main Street program. Today they are testaments to Street furniture should also do the same without, success in improving our downtown environment. however, blocking pedestrian traffic. Street cleaning Ottawa can achieve similar results by implementing and snow clearance cannot be compromised. our own street furniture program. I recommend that bicycle racks and newspaper boxes be well designed and be placed on side John Arnold, Architectural Design Consultant, is a director on the board of Heritage Ottawa and a member of LACAC. streets to alleviate congestion on the main shopping He was the managing art director of Ottawa, A Guide to street. Loaded bicycle racks are not an attractive Heritage Structures and chief designer of the National addition to a prime streetscape. Museum of Science and Technology.

9 Design Lansdowne Right

The following is an excerpt from the Position Paper 3. Determine how much money, over what submitted to the City of Ottawa by the Ottawa Regional period of time, and from what sources, can be Society of Architects (ORSA) committed to the redevelopment of . An unsolicited offer to redevelop Lansdowne Park has prompted this updated position paper. ORSA 4. Conduct an urban design competition to believes that this offer should be set aside to allow establish a long-term Master Plan. The Master the original Design Lansdowne process to resume. Plan would establish the redevelopment framework for the site. ORSA supports the approved Design Lansdowne, council-approved process as having 5. Have a jury of citizens, urban designers, great merit and suggests that with some modification, architects and stakeholders judge and namely an urban design competition for a Master identify those Master Plans with the greatest Plan, the overall process can be improved. This merit. Publicly display and discuss all Master would allow council to maintain transparency of Plans. Select the best Master Plan. process, control of financial commitments, contents, 6. Engage the proponent of the best Master Plan and architectural and urban design quality for the to assemble a comprehensive team to refine it. long-term benefit of its citizens. The following are Maintain an ongoing public consultation our detailed recommendations: process. 1. Recommence the Design Lansdowne process 7. Develop a Business Plan for the implementation as approved by council. of the Master Plan that respects available 2. Continue and enhance the public consultation financial resources and assesses revenue process that was initiated as part of Design generating opportunities. Lansdowne. Clearly establish the range of 8. Develop an Implementation Strategy for the redevelopment scenarios that are of most development of the site in accordance with interest and value to Ottawa’s citizens. the Master Plan. Maintain flexibility to adapt to opportunities and economic conditions. Give the redevelopment the time it needs to unfold. 9. Utilize a series of Rights to Develop Competitions to select proponents to develop portions of the site in keeping with the Master Plan, Business Plan and Implementation Strategy.

ORSA is committed to the success of the redevelopment of Lansdowne Park. Our members have a wealth of experience and insight and a willingness to share e t i them with the city. We have well-founded concerns s b e that the present process will not yield the results w a

w deserved by our fellow citizens. We believe that, a t t

O with some modifications, the current process can be f o

y dramatically improved. The most fundamental t i C

: aspect to get right is the vision for Lansdowne o t o h Park. It requires thought, discussion, and a process P to incorporate it. ORSA looks forward to working Ariel view of 2007 Lansdowne, or as we know it.... Lansdowne Park. with the city on this important initiative.

10 Cullingham Receives Lifetime Achievement Award

former president of the Council of Heritage Organizations in Ottawa (CHOO/ COPO). The Board of Directors also approved the following motion at its November 25th meeting: é r o D

“In recognition of Gordon Cullingham’s long and a s e r e dedicated commitment to the work of Heritage T

: s o Ottawa and generally to the preservation of t o h

P Ottawa's built heritage, the Board of Directors of Heritage Ottawa has named its annual research Vice-President David Jeanes, Past-President David Flemming and Heritage Ottawa former President Carolyn Quinn present Gordon Cullingham with and publishing grant the his Lifetime Achievement Award on December 5. Gordon Cullingham Research and Publishing Grant. This grant is to be awarded annually to a Heritage Ottawa recently presented long-serving deserving individual or organization by the Board member, Gordon Cullingham with a Heritage Ottawa Board subject to available funds.” Lifetime Achievement Award “in recognition of his outstanding accomplishments in the field of Tax deductible donations to the Research and heritage Preservation.” Gordon served for nearly Publishing Grant fund should be made payable to 25 years on the Heritage Ottawa Board and is a Heritage Ottawa. Lecture Series Continues in 2009 Wednesday, February 18, 2009, 7:00 P.M. dedicated to sustainability, will examine green Heritage Ottawa’s 4th Annual Bob and Mary ideas rooted in historic places, explain basic Anne Phillips Memorial Lecture strategies for green conservation, and suggest other ways to explore these links. Chairing World Heritage In July 2008, Canada hosted the 32nd session of Wednesday, April 15, 7:00 P.M. UNESCO’s World Heritage Committee in Quebec Ontario Municipal Board: A tool for heritage City, an event that coincided with celebrations of conservation the 400th anniversary of this World Heritage city. Christina Cameron will recount her experiences as Marc Denhez (lawyer and member of the OMB) Chairperson of the session, highlighting its success and Herb Stovel (conservation architect, heritage stories, its challenges and the Canadian legacy of a activist, and Carleton University professor) will new World Heritage Youth Forum. provide some background into the workings of the OMB, appropriate approaches in efforts to conserve Wednesday March 18, 2009, 7:00 P.M. Ontario’s heritage and how to make the best use of heritage arguments in front of the Ontario A Green Primer for Heritage Conservation Municipal Board. What do storm windows, shady streets, and local farmers markets have in common? They are green Lectures take place at the ideas that we can still learn from. Susan Ross auditoriom, 120 Metcalfe St. at Laurier Ave. W. (OAQ, RAIC, LEED AP), a conservation architect Admission is free. For information: 613-230-8841.

11 A Fond Farewell to Gordon Cullingham By Carolyn Quinn

After more than 20 years of active volunteering to a founding member of the newly amalgamated improve Ottawa’s culture and heritage Gordon City of Ottawa’s Heritage Advisory Committee, a Cullingham has decided to retire from active duty. member of the Local Architectural Conservation Gordon has been a mainstay around Heritage Advisory Committee and a long-time member of Ottawa’s board room table since 1986. His sage the board of the Ottawa Historical Society. advice, creative ideas and sense of humour have On December 5th many of us who have known kept many of us engaged and willing to keep up and respected Gordon came together to celebrate the fight, even during some of our city’s darkest his contribution to Ottawa’s arts and heritage and heritage days. to wish him well as he launches into a quieter From his eloquent yet forceful letters, to his retirement than his first one after a long and countless presentations at public meetings, productive career with the CBC. Those who couldn’t standing committees, and before the seemingly make it took the time to send best wished, including impenetrable NCC, Gordon’s passion and MPP Jim Watson who reminisced about the time they dedication have helped ensure that our city’s worked together to save the Aberdeen Pavilion. heritage is never forgotten. It was a good party. I think Gordon knows how Gordon’s influence reached well beyond much we’re going to miss him. Heritage Ottawa. He was the founding president Carolyn Quinn is a member of the Board of Directors of of the Council of Heritage Organizations in Ottawa, Heritage Ottawa. Lansdowne Park Redevelopment Proposal

projects of great cities of the world in mediocrity. The following is a letter sent to City Council by architect Nan Griffiths, Professor Emerita, Carleton University, in You have heard from many people from many response to a private proposal for the development of quarters of the city, not just ; a few have Lansdowne Park. been in support of a football stadium, but most are cynical that this would be an appropriate venue for Dear Members of Ottawa City Council: such an activity, and that given the history of football One must hope that you are all beginning to here, that this would be financially successful. understand the shock of the majority of the people We hope that all members of Council will reject of Ottawa resulting from the appalling private this project and go back to supporting a Design proposal of ‘Lansdowne Live’. Public participation Competition with its framework based on public in the process to proceed with a Design demands and a viable financial structure. Much of Competition that was initiated by Councillors this was provided from the widely attended public Clive Doucet and Peter Hume over a year ago, meetings and time spent last winter. With a major came to a halt in May 2008, and silence reigned competition, many amazing ideas would be over the topic. This led us into a situation highly forthcoming, giving much scope to a selection reminiscent of the 50s and 60s when developers process based on design vision and quality, went behind closed doors at City Hall, and came acceptable and viable usage of the site, providing out, fait accompli, with whatever changes to a jewel in the urban landscape of Canada’s capital. zoning, use, transportation they wished. Now this Jewels in other cities [Copenhagen, Paris, Chicago, ‘Lansdowne Live’ proposal for Ottawa’s very large etc] generally lead to economic upturns. and extraordinary site looks to surpass the urban Nan Griffiths

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