Lansdowne greenspace design winner chosen

A city-appointed jury has chosen a scaled-back version of a Vancouver-based design firm's vision for a revitalized Lansdowne Park greenspace.

Phillips Farevaag Smallenberg's "Win Place Show" known as Design B during public presentations was selected among five competitors vying to reimagine Lansdowne's waterfront and park land.

The original design came with a price tag of $68 million, but that cost is likely to go down once a number of changes have been made.

The jury recommended plans for the bridge across the Rideau Canal to be delayed and changes be made to move it to a different location. The bridge, one of the signatures of the design, was also one of the most expensive elements at an estimated cost of $14 million.

The jury, led by urban designer George Dark, also said it would not endorse plans to build an artificial island along the Rideau Canal because they want to protect the canal's status as a heritage site.

Marta Farevaag, one of the partners of Phillips Farevaag Smallenberg, said changes are part of the competition process.

"Obviously in competitions there are a number of elements in the proposals," said Farevaag. "Some were very expensive elements and it seems they'll be unlikely to finance such ...expensive element[s]"

The jury also chose one option for the park design that keeps the Horticulture Building in its current location.

Horticulture retail shift 'a departure' from plan

The movement of the Horticulture Building had been a controversial aspect of Lansdowne's redevelopment, as the Ontario Heritage Trust has asked the city to preserve the historic structure and leave it where it is.

But the plan calls for the building to be converted into a commercial retail space, which the jury admits "is a departure from the City's current plan."

The final design will have to be approved by city council, the National Capital Commission and Parks Canada.

City councillors are expected to vote on both the urban park design and Ottawa Sports and Entertainment Group's proposal for the new stadium and commercial complex at the end of June.