Ottawa - The City of Ottawa today released the names of five firms who have been invited to compete for the design of Lansdowne Park’s open space.

A Request for Qualifications for design companies interested in the public-space design competition was released on January 16 and closed on February 11, 2010. After receiving 21 submissions, the short-listed firms are:

• Michael Van Valkenburgh Associates – Cambridge, Massachusetts
• Michael Van Valkenburgh – Principal, Team Leader
• Partnered with: Greenberg Consultants, Shim-Sutcliffe Architects, Harboe Architects, MMM Group (Ottawa), Uhlir Consulting, James Carpenter Design Associates, Applied Ecological Services, Golder Associates (Ottawa office)
• Phillips Farevaag Smallenberg – Vancouver, British Columbia
• Greg Smallberg – Principal in Charge, Team Leader
• Partnered with: Julian Smith & Associates (Ottawa), Stantec Engineers (Ottawa office), Jill Anholt Studio
• The SWA Group – Sausalito, California
• Cinda Gilliland – Principal, Team Leader
• Partnered with: Corush Sunderland Wright Ltd. (Ottawa), The ARCOP Group, J.L. Richards & Associates (Ottawa), WESA (Ottawa), BuildGreen Solutions, CMS Collaboratie Inc., Professional Environmental Recreation Consultants Ltd. (PERC), PHA Lighting Design, Ned Kahn
• West 8 Urban Design & Landscape Architecture – Toronto, Ontario
• Adriaan Geuze – Principal, Design Director
• Partnered with: Robertson Martin Architects Inc., The Municipal Infrastructure Group (TMIG), Halsall Associates (Ottawa office)
• Williams, Asselin, Ackaoui & Associates Inc. (WAA) – Montreal, Quebec
• Malaka Ackaoui – Partner, Team Leader
• Partnered with: Éclairage Public Inc., Michel Dallaire Design Industriel Inc., Les Architectes FABG, Vinci Consultants, Linda Covit

“It is evident from the international interest shown in the design competition, and from the quality of firms selected, that we have attracted world-class talent to design Lansdowne’s urban park,” said Mayor Larry O’Brien. “This is another significant step in creating a revitalized Lansdowne that is open and inviting to residents and visitors alike, and that reaches out to its surrounding neighbourhoods and the Rideau Canal.”

With this selection, the work of the design firms will begin promptly with the gathering of information and ideas for the new open space. On Wednesday, February 24 and Thursday, February 25, the selected design firms will be meeting with the City, the National Capital Commission (NCC) and the Parks Canada Agency in a design symposium. Community groups and citizens will be able to learn about the design teams’ background and past projects, and provide comments about what they think should be built in the open space.

“These firms have been presented with a tremendous opportunity to incorporate the community’s vision and their own unique perspective into this important public space,” said Councillor Peter Hume, Chair of the Planning and Environment Committee. “I am confident that this work will result in an exciting, new urban park that the entire community can be proud of.”

Following the design symposium, the firms will each develop their proposed park designs. In May, the five different designs will be unveiled to the City for further public comments.

The park designs and public feedback will be considered by a seven-member jury, including: Strategic Design Review and Advisory Panel members George Dark and Marianne McKenna; Councillor Hume; one representative each from the NCC and Parks Canada Agency; and two other nationally renowned design professionals. The jury’s choice will be presented to the NCC’s Advisory Committee on Planning, Design and Realty (ACPDR) and board of directors, and Ottawa City Council for approval in June 2010.

The design competition for the greenspace at Lansdowne Park was one of a number of conditions placed by Ottawa City Council last November on the Lansdowne Partnership Plan. That plan is a partnership between an Ottawa business group, Ottawa Sports and Entertainment Group, and the City to:

• renovate Frank Clair Stadium and the Civic Centre;

• build a mixed-use development that includes stores, offices, restaurants, a hotel and offices; and

• create a new urban park between Aberdeen Pavilion and Queen Elizabeth Driveway on space that is currently an asphalt parking lot.

The design process for the new urban park is being overseen by the City of Ottawa in co-operation with the National Capital Commission, which owns greenspace next door and Queen Elizabeth Driveway, and Parks Canada Agency, which owns the UNESCO-designated World Heritage Site, Rideau Canal National Historic Site of Canada.

For more information on the Lansdowne Partnership Plan and for upcoming committee dates and locations, visit ottawa.ca/lansdownepartnership or contact the City at 3-1-1 (TTY: 613-580-2401).

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