Dalhousie Community Association

AGM Want to get involved in your community? The Dalhousie Community Association will be holding its Annual General Meeting on June 12 at the Dalhousie Community Centre from 7 to 9 pm. Come out and share your thoughts and ideas. Gardening Spring has finally sprung! DCA Community Garden members participated in the annual spring clean up day on May 5. The garden is now ready for spring planting! The DCA Community Garden is a volunteer run community garden on the corner of Preston and Somerset. Members of the community pay plot fees to grow vegetables for their own use in the raised beds, and also contribute volunteer hours for the upkeep of the site. The community plot at the front of the garden is for everyone. Drop by and take a look at the progress of the raised beds, and pick something from the community plot for your next recipe! Keep your eyes peeled for information about our social events and workshops, or email dcaommunitygarden@gmail.com to be added to our mailing list. Unfortun...

In recent years, Ottawa has experienced extensive flooding and destructive tornadoes. At the April DCA meeting it was agreed that the Dalhousie Community Association will support a motion to declare a climate emergency. The motion will be presented at the Environment Committee meeting on April 16th and calls on the City of Ottawa to make climate action an official Term of Council Priority. Members of CAFES (Community Associations for Environmental Sustainability) have led an initiative to support this motion. If the motion is supported, Ottawa would be joining over 400 cities and local governments worldwide, including Kingston, Vancouver, Halifax, Montreal, and over 300 municipalities in Quebec. Also at the April meeting were the current owners of the decrepit lot at Balsam and Rochester Streets. Along with representatives of a local architecture firm, they presented their vision for a low-rise building for the site. While still at a preliminary design phase, the concept is for reside...

The DCA have been busy since the start of the new year reviewing several small and mid-size development proposals throughout the neighbourhood. One of the more significant projects is the redevelopment of Rochester Heights (811 Gladstone), which is progressing with the submission of applications for Zoning By-law Amendment and Site Plan Control. This first phase proposes a six storey residential apartment building and two stacked townhouses. In total, 140 new residential units will be created. You can make comments on this project through the Development Application tool on the City of Ottawa website. Councillor Catherine McKenney is hosting a Public Open House to hear concerns from residents on Tuesday, March 5 from 6-8 pm in Room 203 at Rochester Towers, at 280 Rochester St. A large scale and long term project on the horizon is the new central library, which has recently retained an architect. A workshop open to the public will collect feedback on preliminary design concepts an...

  The exhibition for the 2018 DCA photo contest is opening soon. Finalist photos will be on display at cafe Pressed at 750 Gladstone from February 1 to 14. There will also be a reception on February 12 from 4 pm to 6 pm. Please join us to appreciate the wonderful photos that capture the distinctive character of the DCA neighbourhood! Click here for the Facebook event page.

The end of the year is a time for review and reflection. Here's a look back at a few of the top issues and highlights for the DCA in 2018.   Development Work has begun on a section of Ottawa Community Housing’s Rochester Heights with the demolition of residences at 811 Gladstone Avenue. In February, representatives from Ottawa Community Housing spoke at the monthly board meeting where DCA members emphasized the importance of consultation. The 900 Albert development raised the ire of local community groups when city council approved the development application in July, completely ignoring the secondary plan formulated by city staff, landowners, and the community. The plan stated a maximum height of 30 storeys, whereas the approved application includes a 65 storey building. DCA members have voted to appeal the decision to approve application. In January of 2018, the NCC reached a preliminary agreement with RendezVous LeBreton Group for the redevelopment of LeBreton Flats. With rece...

The Community Garden’s Market Day on Sunday, October 14 was a great success. Over 200 people dropped by the gardens on a sunny autumn day. Eight vendors were on hand selling preserves, fresh produce, and a variety of hand-made items. After a very hot growing season, the gardens came to an official close on November 4 with the Annual General Meeting. Budgeting information for the past year and next were shared, as well as what worked and what can be improved for next season. On the list is a new shed, since the last one finally perished in strong winds. After the meeting, members worked together to clean up the gardens. The first ever DCA photo contest closed October 29. Congratulations to Jenna Davies, Fiona  Mak, Peter Politis, Katie Shapiro, Terry Steeves, Erica Stillo, and Emily Thorne . The DCA has selected their photos as finalist entries. In early 2019, the finalist photos will be printed, framed, and exhibited at cafe Pressed . Thanks to everyone who participated. The conte...

We are pleased to announce that local cafe Pressed will be the exhibition venue for the finalist photos! In addition to wonderful staff, fantastic food and coffee, they have a superb gallery wall. The contest is closing soon so don't delay - submit your photos here → https://goo.gl/forms/RxeG5MfAvvXXVNwH2 Read more about the contest on the photo contest page . 

The tornadoes that struck Ottawa-Gatineau on September 21 knocked the power out in much of Dalhousie, but thankfully damage was limited. Despite the prolonged power outage, the Plant Pool Recreation Association (PPRA) with the wonderful cooperation of the Plant Recreation Centre, decided not to let good desserts go to waste and the annual dessert fundraiser raised over $2000. This money supports a free summer sports program for 10-15 year old youth in the community. The PPRA also held its annual general meeting on October 2, where Councillor Catherine McKenney presented her vision for green space. The DCA photo contest is on! We want to see photos of the neighbourhood - the places, people, and events that make our neighbourhood stand out. All photographers, from pros to beginners, are invited to participate. Finalists will have their images printed and framed, and displayed at a local venue. The contest closes October 29 and finalists will be announced in November. Visit the contes...

The DCA photo contest is underway. The theme is the people, places, and events of our neighbourhood. The contest isn't just for pros, anyone who can snap shots with a digital camera can enter. Read more about the contest here . If you've got your photos ready submit them here . Not sure what to photograph? Why not come out for Market Day at the community garden on October 14. Find information on the event's Facebook page . Still have questions? Email us at OttawaDCA@gmail.com

After a hot summer, the DCA is back to regular meetings. In development news, DCA members have voted to appeal the decision to approve the developer’s application for 900 Albert. City council approved the application in July, completely ignoring the secondary plan formulated by city staff, landowners and the community. The plan stated a maximum height of 30 storeys, whereas the approved application includes a 65 storey building. In preparation for the LRT, OC Transpo is changing bus routes, with several changes directly affecting Dalhousie. As of September 2 , the #11 no longer stops on Rideau Street in front of the Rideau Centre, cutting passengers off from the shopping mall and ByWard Market. Route #4 remains the same but the number changes to #10.  When the LRT eventually opens, the #85 will proceed north on Booth to Gatineau and Route #16 will be modified to connect with the new Parliament station. Route #14 remains the same. There are several events coming up. The Plant Pool ...

Our Dalhousie neighbourhood features many examples of historical architecture. A gallery of over 200 photos showcasing properties of heritage value in the Dalhousie neighbourhood is now up for viewing. Many of these properties have been added to the Heritage Reference List thanks to the recommendations of the DCA. Read more and see the full gallery here . 

The DCA remains active in a variety of areas. At the June meeting, a representative from Somerset West Community Health Centre (SWCHC) presented on a new project - Building Community... Together. The project aims to bring together Centretown residents of different backgrounds to help respond to rapid changes in the area. The project will be fully underway by August and is seeking people interested in becoming Community Champions. The DCA remains opposed to key items in the development applications for 900 Albert and the East Flats. Formal letters have been sent to the city with concerns about pedestrian connectivity, green and public space, and affordable housing. Also under discussion is the usage of Section 37 funds. Ideas range from a pedestrian bridge across the O-Train tracks, to more green space, to upgrading the stairs connecting lower and upper Empress.  Green space and parks are always in demand in Dalhousie. Councillor McKenney is looking for input on community wants a...

Annual General Meeting    June 21st 7 - 9 PM Dalhousie Community Centre 755 Somerset St. W.   All are invited to the DCA's Annual General Meeting.   A presentation on the new Civic from the Ottawa Hospital! How you can help make our neighbourhood even better! A chance to meet other neighbours!

The DCA and its members have deep ties to the community and are active in a variety of areas. At the provincial level, the DCA will be involved in the All Candidates Debate taking place at the Glebe Community Centre ( 175 Third Ave. ) on May 17. With all four major parties confirmed, it will be an excellent forum for community associations to press the candidates on important civic themes.   At the last meeting, our DCA representative on the Community Association Forum on Environmental Sustainability (CAFES) reported with disappointment that a by-law protecting city trees would not be passed. This has a negative impact on both the environment and public health, since trees mitigate pollution and provide many other benefits.   Other members reported that the public meeting on April 26th about developments on Albert Street was well attended. Concerns are ongoing since development plans keep changing. A case in point is the three towers planned at 900 Albert, where the pr...

Development pressure continues in our neighbourhood. The DCA hosted representatives from Claridge Homes at its April meeting. A Development Manager gave an overview of the proposed five towers project at Lebreton East . These will be tall - two at 25 storeys, two at 30, and the last tower at 45 storeys. The height is supposedly to align with city zoning for transit oriented design. Residents in the existing three buildings expressed concern over the resulting density of 1950 new units right next door. Other issues raised by the DCA included affordable housing, and integration with other developments in the vicinity. A public meeting will be held on April 26th from 6:00pm – 8:00pm at the Good Companions Seniors’ Centre ( 670 Albert St. ) that will provide an opportunity for discussion of the Claridge proposal and adjacent developments. Stephanie Lemieux, community police officer for Centretown, also spoke at the April meeting. She addressed concerns about recent shootings in the neighb...

The DCA continues to monitor several major developments in the neighbourhood. With the potential for thousands of new residents and visitors to the area, there are concerns over the cumulative effect of these projects. Large residential projects are underway at Lebreton East, 900 Albert, Gladstone Village, Rochester Heights, and the Booth Complex. Other large scale developments include the new Central Library, Lebreton Flats, and just to the south of Dalhousie, the new Civic Hospital Campus. The Ottawa Hospital is moving forward with a community engagement process for the construction of the new Civic Campus. This will include the usual opportunities for online and in-person engagement, and will also include a new campus engagement group that will follow the process over the next three years. The DCA looks forward to participating in the process and encourages construction of a facility that integrates well into the neighbourhood. Claridge has released revised plans for the redevelopm...

The DCA continues to monitor several major developments in the neighbourhood. Members continue to actively participate in consultations and open houses, and send letters to public and private officials to voice concerns and provide suggestions. The 900 Albert development is moving forward, though the actual design of the buildings has not been finalized. The developer will be presenting an update at a public open house on February 21st at 6:00 PM at St. Anthony’s Hall . The DCA remains concerned about the south side of the building, which up to now is without any activity beyond truck traffic. The segment of the 417 that crosses the O-Train tracks and Trillium multi-use pathway (MUP) will be replaced. The proposed replacement bridges are shorter in length than the existing structure and will be inserted using rapid replacement technologies. This will require some detours, affecting both Preston St. and the Trillium MUP. A public information session will be held on Thursday February 22...

In 2018, our Dalhousie neighbourhood will continue to grow and evolve. Development proposals are in the works for 770 Somerset St. W. and two parcels of land at 440 and 444 Bronson Ave. An eight-storey, 148-unit building is planned at 811 Gladstone Ave., between Booth and Rochester streets. This is a redevelopment of one section of Ottawa Community Housing’s Rochester Heights, and will be a mixed-income building to be completed by spring 2020. Representatives from Ottawa Health and Bruyère Continuing Care delivered a presentation to the DCA Board on the new provincial smoke-free hospital regulations. As of January 1, 2018 there are no longer designated smoking areas on any hospital property. While the number of smokers at Saint-Vincent’s Hospital is low, concerns were raised about smokers moving to the sidewalk or adjacent residential properties. The hospital stated its commitment to work closely with neighbourhood groups should any problems arise because of the new legislation. Wint...

The year in review 2017 was another busy year in our downtown neighbourhood. The next few decades will see substantial transformation with several major developments happening. Intensification brings challenges but also rewards to local residents. Ground has recently broken for utilities work at 900 Albert , the vacant lands between the City Centre complex and Albert Street. The proposed development has yet to be approved, but will include up to three residential towers of about 50 stories, mixed with retail and commercial space. The DCA remains concerned about how the development will interact with the neighbourhood, and expects a formal development application in the new year. Plans for redevelopment of the Booth St. Complex by Canada Lands Corporation are well underway. In the past year, consultations and open houses have been held to gather feedback on how the 6.5 acre area between Booth, Orangeville, Rochester and Norman Streets should be developed. Open access to community spa...

Dalhousie Community garden The Dalhousie Community garden benefited from the extended warm weather in the fall with a good harvest. Gardening has wrapped up for the season with a plot cleanup and an Annual General Meeting. The first year of the garden was a success and planning is underway for next year. Traffic on Booth Street Heavy traffic on Booth St. remains an issue. Last June, residents met with Councillor Catherine McKenney and Phil Landry of Ottawa Traffic Services to review the problem. As a result, several improvements have been made, including traffic counts and spot checks by Ottawa police, changes to parking and a reduced speed limit. Two concrete planters at the intersection of Booth and Primrose will bring more greenery to the street as well as further deter speeding. City of Ottawa Budget 2018 The 2018 City of Ottawa Budget mentions Dalhousie ward a few times. The city has allocated money towards making the intersection of Gladstone Ave. and Rochester St. safer for pe...