The National Capital Commission released Friday the short list of developers vying to build about 800 housing units and retail space on the coveted LeBreton Flats in the shadow of the new Canadian War Museum. The three finalists to develop the 65-hectare site as a mixed-use community are: * Alliance Pr & eacute;vel Inc. with architects Le Groupe Cardinal Hardy and Lyse M. Tremblay, all of Montreal. * Claridge Homes (LeBreton Flats) Inc. with architects Dan S. Hanganu and Associates and Daoust Lestage Inc. of Montr & eacute;al * Minto (LBF) Inc. with local architects Barry J. Hobin and Associates, as well as Hotson Bakker Architects of Vancouver/Toronto, and Les Architectes Boutros and Pratte of Montr & eacute;al. "Our national call for expressions of interest, and a thorough selection process drawing on the advice of experienced professionals from across the country, have resulted in a premium-quality shortlist," Marcel Beaudry, chairman of the NCC, said in a statement. "The chosen firms have put together teams of highly experienced and award-winning firms and individuals. We are confident their design proposals for LeBreton Flats Phase 1 will address our goals of architectural diversity, compact mixed-use development and environmental sustainability." The development will include the five blocks east of Booth Street, south of the new Wellington Street and north of the heritage aqueduct that crosses LeBreton Flats. The three finalists will now develop conceptual design proposals over the summer and submit a financial offer to purchase the 4.4-hectare Phase 1 site. In the fall, public consultations will be held on the three design proposals and the NCC will evaluate them. "Only after points are assigned to each proposal will financial bids be opened," the NCC said. A sale is expected to be concluded with the winning bidder early in 2005. The long-term plan for the site calls for additional residential development between now and 2020. The watchdog to ensure the entire competitive process is carried out fairly is Antonio Lamer, former Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Canada. Plans to develop LeBreton Flats began in 2001 when the NCC received $99 million in federal funding to clean up soil contaminated by the host of industries that once occupied the area in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. NCC's plans for the site call for housing to accommodate 5,000 residents and the preservation of about 40 per cent of the Flats as green space.
|
