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The Board heard from the
following delegation:
Jevone Nicholas, Bookmark the Core* said his group is
advocating for Ottawa Central Library to be in the downtown core, to be the
right size, and to be the result of an international design competition with
a full public engagement process. He spoke to the May 16 public engagement
session being the residents’ only opportunity to speak publicly on the site
of the new library. Mr. Nicholas went on to describe what he thought the
extent of the public input on priorities for how the site of the Central
Library will be determined. He indicated the library should publish a report
of what was heard, invite people to offer feedback, and validate the report
as an accurate representation of what was heard. Mr. Nicholas pointed out
that this step should occur before an analytical report comes to the Board as
OPL should assure the public that their feedback will carry weight. He pointed
out that his group felt that to date the public has been led to believe that
the project is targeted for LeBreton Flats. He said there has been no
justification of why that part of the city would be appropriate for a Central
Library, except that it is slated for redevelopment. Mr. Nicholas urged the
Board to have an international design competition to search out a world-class
design for the library, to uphold the public interest, to ensure that the
role of citizens is properly recognized, and reflected in the progress and
decisions on the project, in the interests of the people of the city, and not
the developers.
[The group marked with an
asterisk above either provided comments in writing or by email; the
submission is held on file with the CEO.]
Trustee Moffatt asked about the
benefit of going outside of Ottawa and what an international design process would
achieve as there is world class talent available in the city. Mr. Nicholas said
there are many examples around the country of international design
competitions occurring and is not suggesting that Ottawa does not have
talented architects. He referenced local talent as well as a number of students
enrolled in architecture and urbanism in Ottawa. He urged the Board not to
limit itself to Canada or the City but expand the design process. Ottawa is
a G7 capital city; an international design process would allow best possible
options for the library and not something done on the cheap. Trustee Moffatt
asked if the delegate agreed that there is talent in Ottawa, Mr. Nicholas
said there are certainly lots of talent in town but that the process should
be opened to as many as possible.
Trustee Sweet noted that the website
has a lot of information, past records of meeting’s, etc. and asked what the
plan was going forward regarding capturing information from the consultation
processes. Ms. Anna Basile, Manager, Planning and Board Support mentioned
that in the report by PACE, there is a commitment for a summary report to be
available to those who participated and will be made available online, which will
include all the raw data, and statements that come forward.
Trustee Fisher asked if the May 16
session would be webcast and if there will be a wrap-up discussion regarding
the comments. Ms. Basile said the session will not be webcast but it will be
recorded and available on the website in conjunction with the online
questionnaire. The public will receive summaries of the public input.
Trustee Sweet said she was happy
with the report, which is meant to be a nimble consultation process and said
it is important to realize that it is a framework.
Chair Tierney thanked staff and said
the Board received great feedback on the website. He repeated that the
location is not a foregone conclusion, there is a process in place and looks
forward to the next few months.
There
being no further discussion, the report was carried as presented.
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