STADIUM DECISION COULD PROVE COSTLY

It may be a while before we know the full cost to taxpayers of the Lansdowne Live proposal, but we do know it will be more than the $97 million quoted by the proponents.

Under the Lansdowne Live proposal the City will be responsible for the cost of rebuilding the stadium up to the negotiated limit – the $97 million figure is just an estimate.

The City will be responsible for paying for 575 parking spaces in an underground garage and 250 spaces in a parking garage. In the Lansdowne Live proposal this was estimated to cost $25.6 million. It will also be up to the City to pay for all of the recreation space shown in the Lansdowne Live proposal.

It is also very likely that the City have to deal with traffic congestion issues. Congestion will not just be an issue for a couple of hours on game day. Part of the Lansdowne Live proposal is a 232,000 square foot retail development that which will increase space in the area by 57%.

There are already traffic problems on Bank Street. A 57% increase in retail space will almost certainly make them much worse – particularly as there is no rapid transit route and no space where one can easily be built.

Because of the condition of Frank Clair Stadium we will have to spend some funds on stadiums – even tearing it down costs money. If it is possible to get a usable facility with a tenant without a significant additional cost, then it is worth pursuing. Lansdowne Live does not meet that test.

COUNTDOWN PEDESTRIAN SIGNALS ADDED TO STONEHAVEN AND GRASSY PLAINS

To improve pedestrian safety City of Ottawa staff installed countdown pedestrian signals at the intersection of Stonehaven and Grassy Plains. These signals show how many seconds it will be until the light changes. This information helps pedestrians know if they have the time to cross the street safely.

EAT SAFE OTTAWA

Restaurants and food stores are inspected by the City’s Public Health Branch to make sure they are following food preparation and storage rules. The results of these inspections are now available on the City of Ottawa website at http://www.ottawa.ca/residents/health/inspections/index_en.html.

As the Frequently Asked Questions accompanying the inspection reports make clear there are critical and non-critical infractions. Where the inspection report is posted it will tell you what the actual problems were.

TRANSFORMER REPLACEMENT IN GLEN CAIRN SCHEDULED FOR MAY

In May, Hydro Ottawa will be replacing 18 residential pad transformers. Each of these transformers serve between 10 and 15 customers. People served by transformers that are being replaced are supposed to be notified in advance by Hydro Ottawa as power for people served by a transformer that is being replaced will be off when the work is being done. Typically the work takes about four hours.

THANK YOU FOR EVERYONE WHO CAME OUT TO SUPPORT A TASTE FOR LIFE

I am writing this before I know whether Kanata South or Kanata North won the challenge, but if you participated in A Taste For Life, regardless of where you went, thank you. Your participation made a difference.

WORKING FULL-TIME FOR KANATA SOUTH

I appreciate the chance to hear from you about issues affecting our community. You can reach me at 580-2752 (office), 580-2762 (fax), www.feltmateforkanata.com or peggy.feltmate@ottawa.ca