A round-up of local hot topics
Manor Park Community Association President Natalie Belovic sums up city issues affecting the community
As I write my column, I’m enjoying the hot summer-like weather we are being blessed with for this time of the year. Enjoying it, yes, but also concerned because our weather and temperature patterns are changing so much.
In that vein, I am trying to contribute to the fight against the national climate emergency by doing small acts.
Consider walking or biking to school with your kids instead of dropping them off, especially at Manor Park Public School, as this would help alleviate the traffic tangle on Thornwood Rd. Sadly, with four school boards in Ottawa, kids can choose a “local” school that is too far to walk or bike to.
OC Transpo wants to raise fare prices while reducing bus routes. The most effected will be those who can’t afford a car and youth and students with part-time jobs.
School boards pay for bus passes for their high school students so this will add to expenses outside of the classroom. Fewer routes for the students could affect their ability to stay after school for teams and clubs.
Your voice can and should be heard on this matter. Please write to the city councillors and the chair of the Transportation Committee to let them know this is not good thinking.
We build road infrastructure and this is accepted as a cost of doing business, but we build transit systems that are expected to run at a profit. Why do we view these two similar things so differently?
If we don’t have an efficient, city-wide transit system, it simply won’t get used.
Affordable housing
There’s been little movement on the Manor Park Estates redevelopment. The owners have their hands full with other projects that had been initiated prior to the city’s official plan amendment
We’re in a housing crisis to be sure but the likelihood of much getting built in the next few years, other than the projects that are underway, is slim. The cost of construction is extremely high now. It is difficult to find the labour to build anything, and most people just cannot afford new homes. It’s up to the governments at all levels to work together, and to use private-public partnerships to build truly affordable housing.
Housing the PM
According to media reports, there are discussions about building a new prime minister’s residence elsewhere. One of the options being examined is a site near the RCMP Musical Ride.
At the time of writing, we have no idea where exactly that would be but definitely something to keep on our collective radars.
It is not, from all the intel I could gather, the Mile Circle (the park near the Aviation Museum).
New Enbridge station
Another more contentious issue, is the proposed new Enbridge gas pumping station that is slated to be built at the end of Sandridge Rd. where it turns in to Hillsdale Rd.
The proposed new structure would be a great big bunker with a very sizeable parking lot. It would replace the small one that is currently located on the “lower path” just behind Hillsdale near the Sir George Étienne-Cartier Parkway.
Enbridge says they need to increase the size of the pumping station to bring natural gas to Aylmer. As you can imagine, this has caused quite a stir because it would be extremely unsightly in an area that is very green.
We could use a Manor Parker to stay on top of this file as it impacts the green spaces we all enjoy.
Beechwood shopping
On a positive note, Beechwood Ave. seems to be doing well. There are several new businesses and services on the street, and we are hopeful that when the new Minto building is complete, they will have an easier time renting their commercial spaces than at Minto 1. The Vanier Business Improvement Area has worked hard on animating the street.
The opening of the NCC River House has been amazing. It provides a great spot to have a free, supervised swim and to enjoy some food and drinks on the beautiful balcony patio with top notch views.
If you can spare some time and some energy to work on specific files and projects, we’d love to have you. There are many different portfolios: communication, development, transport, inter-provincial crossing, environment and more. Contact us at info@manorparkcommunity.ca.