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Simon Dupuis, Manager,
Design and Construction, City of Ottawa and Craig Ginther, Division Manager,
Central Library Project, OPL provided a presentation on the work and progress
to date. (Held on file with the Chief Executive Officer). Alain
Gonthier, Director, Infrastructure Services, City of Ottawa; was in
attendance.
Key highlights of the
presentation included:
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Project
dashboard;
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Overview
of the project phases;
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Schematic
Design Process conclusion;
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Public
Engagement Schedule;
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Overview
of workshop 4 – Iconic Features and Finishing Touches,
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Overview
of the design to-date with Floorplans and sketch views; and,
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Next
steps.
Chair Tierney said public
input has been very important to the project, expressing thanks for great
input into public art, accessibility, design, etc. He also thanked the
project team for their work to date.
Chair Tierney wanted
assurances from the project team that the joint library project is on target
mainly because there was a misleading report that stated the project would be
delayed. Mr. Gonthier told the Board that the joint library project is on
target, to be completed and opened by the end of 2024.
Trustee Brockington asked
about the January design unveil referenced in the next steps of the
presentation. Mr. Dupuis said the project team is working on the unveil
details. He stated that the unveil would be a public event.
In response to a question
from Trustee Brockington regarding the process for the Board to review and
comment on the design before it’s unveiled to the general public, Mr. Dupuis
indicated that the Board may provide feedback on the design at any time.
Despite the confidence
Trustee Brockington has in the project team, he raised further concerns requesting
the Board see the design illustrations of the building and be allowed to
provide opportunities for feedback and bless the design prior to unveiling.
Chair Tierney said that while he understands the trustee’s concerns, the
process has been designed to maximize public input. Board members may offer
their feedback after the designs have been made public, stating he would be
afraid of being accused of interfering with the public process. Ms. McDonald said
the Board and Council approved the implementation plan in June 2018,
including recommendations regarding the partnership agreement between three
organizations: OPL, Library and Archives Canada (LAC), and the City. She
indicated that the Agreement outlines that strategic oversight and major
decision-making during the design and construction phases of the project
delegated to the Executive Steering Committee, which includes: The City’s
General Manager of Planning, Infrastructure and Economic Development, the
Chief Executive Officer of OPL, and the Librarian and Archivist of Canada.
The CEO said the Trustees may provide feedback on information as presented.
As for feedback regarding the exterior, the CEO called the discussion
premature since the final designs have yet to be completed.
Trustee Brockington urged
the project team to have a conversation with the Board about feedback that
can be provided to the design before it goes public. Chair Tierney said that
the unveil discussion will be taken offline as plans are being discussed with
partners. The Board will be advised of final details at a later date.
In response to a question
from Trustee Brockington with respect to the decision to reduce the number of
floors from six to five and whether the budget would remain the same, Mr.
Dupuis said the architects decided on a five-storey building through the
‘natural evolution of design’ where mechanical and structural efficiencies
were found. Moving to five-storey would not change the budget at this point
in time.
Trustee Brockington asked
whether having escalators was re-examined. Mr. Dupuis said visitors will move
between floors via stairs and elevators, rather than escalators as escalators
are not considered good practice in terms of accessibility.
In response to a question
from Trustee Brockington regarding ownership of parking garage costs, Mr.
Dupuis said all parking project costs will be exclusively paid by the City on
a cost-recovery basis.
Trustee Brockington
appreciated the thorough update and progress made thus far but reiterated his
concern that the Board should have the opportunity to provide feedback on the
design before sign off.
In response to a question
from Trustee Meehan with respect to changes to the staff compliment due to
the change to a five-storey building and how many staff would be moved to
other buildings, Mr. Ginther said through the public engagement process,
input was provided to have more space for the public for collections,
seating, etc. Approximately 50 staff who do not deliver direct service to the
public will have their office space allocated to other buildings.
Trustee Begg asked staff
to summarize the Indigenous consultation undertaken with the the Algonquin
communities of Kitigan Zibi and Pikwakanagan and LAC’s Indigenous Advisory
Committee. Mr. Dupuis said members of the Indigenous community requested space
that is their own (dedicated). Mr. Ginther summarized by saying that during
the design-focused workshop, they heard the importance of consulting locally
with all the Algonquin communities to provide inspiration into the design.
Some inspiration ideas were: canoe, wigwam, territorial recognition, oral
storytime conversations, indigenous language collections, etc.
Trustee Begg asked staff
to comment on the Bell/Telus facility on the first floor. Mr. Ginther said
this space forms part of the building gross-up (along with other mechanical
and electrical spaces, etc.) and is within the approved building size. He
indicated that this space was included as part of the architect’s scope of
work from the Design Service Request For Proposal. The cost of moving this
equipment from its current location on the site is included as part of the
project budget and is to be confined to this space to ensure the views from
the building remain unobstructed.
In response to a question
from Trustee Begg regarding how the 200 spaces were arrived to for parking,
Mr. Dupuis said the site analysis included a parking study that concluded how
many spaces would be required. A small amount of parking is only required in
part because the building is in close proximity of a light rail station.
In response to a question
from Trustee Higdon whether there is a space allocated for the Friends of the
Ottawa Public Library Association (FOPLA), Mr. Ginther confirmed that there
will be a gift shop on level one. Staff have been involved with FOPLA in
space design and usage management.
Further to a question
from Trustee Higdon whether acoustic engineers will be involved, Mr. Dupuis
confirmed that the process includes a detailed review for acoustics for the
building, which was clearly heard during public engagement.
Trustee Meehan asked if
the building will have space allocated for a daycare. Mr. Ginther said
although there is large children spaces, a daycare space is not included, but
will take that away for review.
Trustee Luloff left the
meeting at 6:20 p.m.
In response to a question
from Vice-Chair Fisher with respect to potential risks for the project team
at this time, Mr. Dupuis said the project is complex with many pieces and a
partnership. He said that can create some challenges from a project
management perspective, however, the predominant risks include monitoring the
budget, the schedule, and the design.
Trustee Meehan asked
staff to summarize the Pimisi station discussion, that is, will the train be going
into the actual central library so there is more connection. Mr. Dupuis
indicated that there are technical challenges with the site and there was
concern with loss of protected views. He said the project team is working
with the National Capital Commission (NCC) to create better connection.
Further to a question
from Trustee Meehan whether covered walkways would be an option, Mr. Dupuis
said covered walkways is something that could be considered. Further
discussions will be held with the NCC because of the adjacent development.
Trustee Slack
congratulated staff on the presentation. He stated that he enjoyed the site
tour provided to the Board in September adding that it was a great
opportunity to explore the future library path.
Trustee Meehan left the
meeting at 6:24 p.m. as advised.
Chair Tierney recapped
Board & Council decisions made thus far and thanked staff for their
tremendous work on the project.
There being no further discussion, the presentation was
RECEIVED as presented.
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