First decade of RendezVous LeBreton plan would see arena, 3 neighbourhoods, much more

The project manager for LeBreton Flats says his family traces its roots back to the area's pioneer, Philemon Wright, and that he's keen to restore the neighbourhood grid that once existed there.

"It's an area that I've been walking through all my life, saying, 'Why can't we fix this?'" says Graham Bird, who also managed the redevelopment at Lansdowne in the Glebe and Ottawa's downtown convention centre.

He says he's very comfortable with the list of buildings and public spaces RendezVous LeBreton plans to deliver in the coming decade.

Bird heads the project management firm that is working with the Ottawa Senators and the Trinity Development Group on their joint venture to redevelop the site.

The group learned last week it ranked highest of two proposals and will enter negotiations with the National Capital Commission some time after Wednesday, when the NCC again restricts them from speaking publicly about the project.

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Most of the big pieces in the RendezVous LeBreton proposal are due to be finished in the project's first of three phases.

Bird says the hope is the arena can be built by 2021 or 2022, but the two NHL-sized hockey rinks at a Sensplex, the Abilities Centre, public parks and squares, and a restored heritage aqueduct should also be finished no later than 2026.

3 of 5 neighbourhoods expected in first phase

The RendezVous LeBreton plan is predicated on five distinct neighbourhoods, three of which are also slated to be built in the first phase. Quartier LeBreton and Pimisi will be located along Albert Street, while Aqueduct will hug the restored aqueduct in the centre of the redevelopment.

That will mean 1,400 new housing units in the next decade, says Bird.

Neighbourhoods called Bayview, on the western edge, and Asticou, near the war museum, are planned for future phases.

Development will be guided by a grid pattern that seeks to restore the historic roads and streets at LeBreton Flats, says Bird, who speaks passionately about the site's history and went to the registry office to pull up old maps.

"We've got some of the biggest constructors and developer partners and they can just start working in different directions," says Bird, who notes that Windmill Developments, Mattamy Homes, Brigil, PCL and Tomlinson are all working with RendezVous LeBreton Group.

In thousands of surveys sent to the National Capital Commission during its public consultations, a number of people said they didn't like the look of the many high-rise buildings in the RendezVous LeBreton plan, but Bird says it's important to build densely near the future light-rail stations.

Big-name retail on the way

Trinity Development Group, the RendezVous LeBreton partner that will be responsible for the retail component, was also responsible for the shops and restaurants at Lansdowne in the Glebe.

LeBreton will see about twice Lansdowne's amount of retail in its first decade, says Bird, totaling about 800,000 square feet, as well as a similar amount of office space and one hotel.

In the NCC survey this past winter, many people pushed for independent shops or worried LeBreton might end up with a similar retail mix to Lansdowne, which is home to many brand-name stores. 

Bird acknowledges that big names will have a place at LeBreton, too, on Albert Street in the lower floors of buildings.

"At the end of the day, like it or not, all of us can't get everything from the artisan shops. There's the big bulk stuff we've just got to get, and why do we have to get in our cars and drive three miles to do that?" Bird asks.

Still, small cafes and shops will be tucked further in the development, where locals and tourists alike feel comfortable sitting to have a glass of wine or coffee, says Bird, before checking out markets, hearing music or strolling beyond to other capital sights.

Bird says he and dozens of others working with the RendezVous LeBreton Group, from engineers to architect Barry Hobin, have had "terrific" experience on projects around the city. He noted Lansdowne went from nothing to football kickoff in 30 months. 

"We're now equipped and comfortable," says Bird. "So, it's just 'let us at it,' and what a privilege to be part of it."​