Media Release: CHNA Voices Concern about New Tower at Preston and Carling

Attention Assignment Editors, City Editors

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Civic Hospital Neighbourhood Association Board Voices Concern About New Tower Plans at Preston and Carling

OTTAWA – January 21, 2011 – Following a meeting of the Civic Hospital Neighbourhood Association (CHNA) Board, the CHNA is raising formal concerns about the proposal to build a 35-storey condominium development at the corner of Preston Street and Carling Avenue.

While the development lies just outside the boundaries of the Civic Hospital Neighbourhood, residents believe this development will only further exacerbate rapidly escalating traffic and capacity issues within the area, and the Association will be raising the issue at an upcoming meeting with Kitchissippi Ward Councillor Katherine Hobbs, on January 26th.

“We’ve been adamant for some time that the rapid growth in the area around Carling Avenue – particularly on Champagne Avenue and in the area immediately east of the O-Train tracks – is being done without critical investments in infrastructure, and with limited recognition of the impact this development will have on the surrounding community” stated Amanda Farris, a member of the CHNA executive, and past-President.

"The neighbourhood streets are suffering from increased volume, speed and noise from car traffic", stated Peter Eady, Chair of the CHNA Traffic Committee. "We are already trying to manage the implications of the new intensification along the O-Train corridor as it affects our area. This new development will only add to the congestion and subsequent flow-through traffic at key choke points like Preston & Carling, Sherwood & Parkdale and the 417 on-ramps.”

The CHNA is quick to point out that while there have been numerous developments requiring zoning approvals for height and density, the community has generally been open to development in the area. Still, the pressure this project, along with several others, will put on existing infrastructure, needs to be reviewed before any further development takes place.

“While we recognize the opportunity for growth around the Carling O-Train station, the current service has limited benefit to most commuters” stated Farris. “Our community recognizes the need for sustainable growth and intensification of our City, but this project, and others currently being planned or recently approved, put the cart before the horse”. Residents in Little Italy and the Civic Hospital Neighbourhood are going to be suffering the consequences.

The Civic Hospital Neighbourhood Association represents about 2000 homeowners and tenants in an area bounded by Highway 417 to the North, Carling Avenue to the South, Island Park to the West and the O-Train line to the East.

For more information, please visit the CHNA website at www.chna4u.blogspot.com

Media inquiries:

Amanda Farris

613.866.4089