I had my first visit to the new and improved Lansdowne Park development Sunday to see how the project turned out. I was utterly disheartened and sad after seeing what had been done.
Yes, the Aberdeen Pavilion is a gem and has been preserved along with the Horticulture Building. And the Rink of Dreams and green space have wonderful potential. But the commercial buildings and retail spaces are a complete disappointment. Lansdowne could have been a huge tourist draw that would have enticed tourists from the world over to experience a novel and contemporary commercial and recreation design.
Where is the sense of community and culture? Where are the small family run enterprises?
Instead, council has yet again allowed another soulless and grey temple to profit to be built. The commercial space is nothing more than box stores with a facelift and makeup. I am sure there were options available to allow small family businesses to be viable in this unique location.
Let us all hope that the pending development of LeBreton Flats and Chaudière Falls does not suffer a similar fate.
Peter Croal, Ottawa
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