All aboard, Algonquin
Algonquin College’s universal bus pass program, which students recently voted in favour of in a referendum, has been approved by council for the 2015-16 academic year and beyond.
The program will be available to full-time students at participating post-secondary institutions for a fee of $192.70 per four-month semester for the 2015-16 year, and subject to yearly fee increases of no more than 2.5 per cent.
Full-time Algonquin students enrolled in study over the spring/summer semester (May 1 to August 31) are also eligible, the city says, noting this arrangement might also interest to full-time students and the administrations.
Carleton University, the University of Ottawa and Saint Paul University have already implemented the U-Pass program.
An artist’s rendering of proposed alterations to the Charles Billings House in Alta Vista. The portion outlined in red is designated under the Ontario Heritage Act. (Barry J. Hobin and Associates Architects),
Renos OK’d at historic Charles Billing House
Council has has approved an application to alter the historic Charles Billings House in Alta Vista.
The home at 187 Billings Ave. is considered a rare example in Ottawa of the Ontario cottage style, which was popular from the 1830s to the 1870s.
The current owner wants to remove about 20 per cent of the designated heritage building — which will result in the loss of a window on the front façade and affect the symmetry — in order to construct a large addition.
The home is located a few blocks southwest of the Billings Estate on Cabot Street, which was home to five generations of the Billings family and now is a museum.
Council approved demolition of the fire-ravaged Howick house.
Demolition of fire-ravaged Rockcliffe heritage home approved
Council also approved the demolition of a Rockcliffe Park heritage home destroyed by fire last month.
A blaze ripped through 140 Howick St. on Dec. 15, causing an estimated $400,000 in damage to the home, which was undergoing renovations at the time.
Following the advice of a forensic engineering firm, the owners asked to demolish the remaining portion of the house and proceed with construction of a new house according to a plan approved by city council in June.
