Committee approves $60M to clean up Zibi development site

Councillorson Ottawa's finance committee unanimously approved a $60-million grant to clean up contaminants to make way for a massive new development onChaudireand Albert islands.

Windmill Development Group applied for the grant for itsmixed-useZibi project.

Windmill will clear the contaminated soil on the site, which has historically been used as an industrial site, and demolish a number of buildings.

"These are contaminated lands on a derelict site in the city's urban core," said Lee AnnSnedden, director of Ottawa's planning services.

"This truly is a poster child for a brownfield grant."

The city'sbrownfieldsredevelopment program awards funds to developers for cleaning up contaminated sites and deteriorating buildings, which helps encourage developers to build in the core rather than the suburbs.

City will only pay for actual costs

The grant would pay for half of the total projected cost of the cleanup.

Windmill has promised to create a $1.2 billion environmentally friendly community with condos, shops, offices, waterfront parks and pathways on the 15-hectare site, which spans both the Quebec and Ontario sides of the Ottawa River.

The city will only pay for the actual costs of cleanup after the invoices have been verified, Mayor Jim Watson said.

The developer promised to only do the work if they find contamination is present.

"It would be fantastic news for us as the proponent if there's less contaminants there," said JeffWesteindewith Windmill Development Group.

The developer hopes to have the Ottawa part of the development completed in seven or eight years.

Feds should pay, say neighbours andcouncillor

Sneddenpointed out the city will not pay to clean up the nearbyLeBretonland to allow development because the land is controlled by the federal government.

But the National Capital Commission technically owned about 20 per cent of theZibidevelopment lands as well saidCoun. CatherineMcKenney, whoargued the federal government should contribute to the cleanup costs.

TheNCCowned the lands and had a perpetual lease withDomtar, which operated a paper-mill on thesite for nearly 100 years.

"So why are we paying the cost?" askedPeterStockdalewith theFairleaCommunity Association.

Somecouncillorsreceived letters from constituents concerned about the large amount of money going toward a money-making venture.

Capital wardCoun. DavidChernushenkoacknowledged the grant was "staggeringly" large, but said someone must be responsible for cleaning up contaminated sites.

"I don't see this as some sort of corporate welfare," he said.

The grant will still need to be approved by city council.