By John Dance
It’s fall: time for the community association to report, review, refocus and renew. The upcoming joint annual general meeting of the OOECA and the Community Activities Group of Old Ottawa East is an opportunity for the two organizations to outline their priorities and hear your questions and comments.
Annual General Meeting: Please attend the AGM, set for 7 p.m., Tuesday, Nov. 10 at the Church of the Ascension, 253 Echo Dr. The community association and CAG will provide progress reports, followed by a question and answer session and a social gathering afterwards. It’s a great opportunity to discuss with board members what interests you. Please email Info@Ottawaeast.ca if you would like to volunteer with the community association.
Membership Campaign: Over the next month representatives will be knocking on your door, seeking your renewal of membership in the community association. OOECA has a growing number of member households. This adds to the association’s legitimacy. The monthly board meetings provide an opportunity for you to hear what’s new and to raise what’s important to you. The memberships cost just $3 per household. Revenues generated support community initiatives such as the new “Welcome to OOE” brochure.
“Welcome to OOE” Brochure: Ever had the experience of telling somebody you live in OOE and seeing they have no clue where OOE is or why it is a superb place? Many of us have had just such exchanges. For the last four years, we have talked about creating a succinct, attractive brochure that would let newcomers and residents have a handy guide to the community. Thanks to a whole cast of people such a brochure now exists. It will be distributed during the membership drive. Special thanks to CAG chair Melanie Gilbert who created the first draft; Steve Fick who crafted the wonderful map; and Jan D’Arcy who managed the project. Thanks to the Sandy Hill Community Health Centre for helping allay printing costs.
Main Street Progress: The massive reconstruction project is on track. Its final configuration is becoming clear on the east side of Main between Clegg and Hazel. Much of the construction shuts down for about four months over the winter but traffic restrictions will remain in place. Cut-through traffic continues to pose problems but the city and contractor Karson Konstruction have tried to mitigate the impact. During construction Main Street businesses need the continued support of all residents. Work on the McIlraith Bridge continues on schedule with the reconstruction of the eastern lanes and traffic being diverted onto the western lanes. All work will be completed by 2017.
Development Updates: The Regional Group’s sales facility for Greystone Village is now open. Prospective buyers can get a thorough view of what’s being offered. They will be encouraged to park on the Regional property and not on adjoining streets. Meanwhile, sales of units at Domicile’s Corners on Main have gone well. Plans are underway for an early 2016 construction start on phase one – the condominium just to the west of the Sisters’ building.
Grande Allée/Forecourt Park: In June, community members participated in a public workshop on the new park to be created in front of Greystone Village’s Deschatelets Building and along the Grande Allée between it and Main Street. In October, there is another open house expected to review the plan.
Rideau River Nature Trail: The federal government did not approve the city’s request that the completion of the river pathway through OOE be a sesquicentennial infrastructure project. Efforts will be made to get more work done through the upcoming city budget. The initial focus will be to have the pathway completed in the Lees LRT area and along the river by the Greystone Village property. Also, the request that the cycling pathway in Brantwood Park be nearer to Onslow Crescent rather than beside the river is receiving serious consideration.
Planning Issues: A great thanks to the planning committee led by Stephen Pope for its efforts, including provision of advice to residents of Chestnut and Hazel Streets and challenging the city’s infill bylaw pertaining to residential neighbourhoods.
Contact: Info@Ottawaeast.ca
