A Heritage building in Westboro has been added to the Canada Land Bank for conversion to housing, Public Services and Procurement Canada announced Tuesday.
The Canada Public Land Bank consists of federally-owned properties that could become housing through a long-term lease in response to the ongoing housing crisis. On Tuesday, the PSPC added 12 properties to the Land Bank from across the country, including one in Ottawa.
Maplelawn House and Garden, 529 Richmond Rd., was built between 1831 and 1834 and currently houses The Keg Manor. It once belonged to a large farm on the outskirts of the city and is now one of the only heritage buildings remaining on Richmond Rd.
The property was purchased by the Federal District Commission, a precursor to the National Capital Commission, in 1952 to ensure its preservation, and the house and its garden was formally designated a National Historic Site of Canada.
In 1994, the City of Ottawa designated Maplelawn and Garden under the Ontario Heritage Act.
The addition of these 12 properties brings the Land Bank to a total of 83 federal properties, though not all are expected to be converted to housing. Certain elements of the Maplelawn house are protected, conversion could prove difficult.
A representative from the office of Jean-Yves Duclos, Minister of PSPC, said certain features like windows and the exterior will need to be preserved. By adding 529 Richmond Rd. to the Land Bank, the PSPC will have the opportunity to vet applications and choose contractors that meet certain criteria for protecting the building’s heritage.
Sprung shelters prompt counter-protests
Elsewhere in the city, the contentious issue of sprung shelters to house newcomers to the City is far from over. The city has identified five city-owned sites to host sprung-shelter facilities for newcomers and asylum seekers and is proceeding with next steps, although the affected communities have been taking to the streets in protest.
But despite ongoing backlash, including from Kanata-Carleton MPP Lisa MacLeod, who has been attending rallies opposed to the facilities, city councillors turned out on Sunday to the “Rally for Refugees”, a community demonstration in support of refugees.
Attendees heard from former and current refugee claimants as well as community members who spoke in support of welcoming newcomers.
Shawn Menard, councillor of Capital Ward, told Ottawa Compass that he attended with his five-year-old daughter “to help teach her about Ottawa’s history of welcoming newcomers and how positive that has been as a city-building exercise.”
“Ottawa has always been a welcoming city and we saw that spirit on full display at today’s rally organized by (Refugee 613),” Mayor Mark Sutcliffe posted to X on Sunday. “Let’s all work together to find the right solutions for newcomers and spread hope and kindness.”
Winter prep
Meanwhile, OC Transpo is preparing for winter in Ottawa, city staff say. In a memo sent Monday, Renée Amilcar, general manager of the transit services department at the City of Ottawa, outlined the winter readiness activities underway at OC Transpo to ensure safe and efficient service in the colder months.
The city is taking “proactive” steps to keep service running through Ottawa’s notorious winters. For buses, this includes replacing regular buses with 40-foot buses when significant weather is forecast, and implementing a Severe Storm Schedule on weekdays when 31 cm or more is expected.
For the O-Train Line 1, OC Transpo is launching enhanced weather monitoring and forecasting to provide more reaction time during weather events. Staff will also be deployed to monitor in-service conditions and remote monitoring during extreme weather. Anti-icing solution will be applied to overhead wires, and resources will be deployed for snow clearing and removal.
There will be proactive checks on vehicles and heaters prior to the winter season, and a tow vehicle will be available. OC Transpo is also installing winter carbon strips on some trains to clear ice from the overhead catenary system. Key areas will also be monitored for ice buildup, and trains will be monitored to avoid full disruption.
For Lines 2 and 4, which are in final preparations of opening to the public, OC Transpo is communicating with the contracted developer, Transit NEXT, clearing and removing snow, and conducting pre-winter checks on vehicles and heaters. The City is also acquiring winter maintenance vehicles like snow blowers and de-icers.
For Lines 1, 2 and 4, service adjustments will be considered when severe weather is forecast.
‘Tis the season
The ByWard Market is also preparing for winter and hoping to attract some skaters this season with the new outdoor synthetic skating rink. The rink has been installed on the section of William Street that is closed to cars in partnership between Ottawa Tourism and the ByWard Market District Authority.
Rideau-Vanier Coun. Stéphanie Plante shared the news on X, writing, “I dreamed of having a skating rink in the ByWard long before I was elected — a place where everyone can enjoy a free recreational activity while visiting our historical market.”
The rink, which sits on a 16-x-88-foot polymer pad, can be expanded as needed and does not rely on weather conditions. It will open to the public on Friday with Christmas lights, hot chocolate and BeaverTails available as the ByWard Market kicks off its Christmas Market.
The Lansdowne Christmas Market will also open for the season this weekend.
