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J.OT13

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City looks to purchase prime land near Algonquin College for steep discount​

City of Ottawa could buy land worth up to $92M for just $12M​

nicole-williams.jpg

Nicole Williams · CBC News · Posted: May 25, 2024 4:00 AM EDT | Last Updated: May 25
100 Constellation Drive is in Nepean close to Algonquin College. The building there houses Ottawa Public Health and a number of provincial services.

The property at 100 Constellation Dr. is close to Algonquin College. The building houses Ottawa Public Health and a number of provincial services. (Patrick Louiseize/CBC)

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City of Ottawa staff are recommending the purchase of the Mary Pitt Centre in Nepean, a property worth about $92 million, for just a fraction of the cost.
In a newly released report addressed to the finance and corporate services committee, staff asked council to approve the purchase of 100 Constellation Dr. and the surrounding property from current owner Arnon Corporation.
The 6.88 hectares of land includes the building that houses the Ottawa Public Health immunization clinic, the Ontario Court of Justice and others, as well as the surrounding parking lots.
"The Mary Pitt Centre, is the largest administrative centre in the city portfolio and integral to the city's accommodation strategy," reads the report.
The estimated property value is between $84 million and $92 million, but the purchase would only cost the city $12.2 million, including closing costs.
It's a steal for the city, which negotiated the price tag in 2003 when it obtained the option to buy the land after taking over the lease from Nortel Networks, a former Canadian telecom giant that went bankrupt.
Up until now, the city has been renting space in the building there for $6.3 million a year. Staff said even with an estimated $1 million in annual expenditures, buying the land would save the city an estimated $5.3 million every year.
Staff also warned that the current lease is set to end by the end of Feb. 2026, with no option to renew and with no guarantees of securing a new lease, reads the report.
Buying the land "represents a secure path forward to ensure uninterrupted occupancy and service delivery."
Cars parked at 100 Constellation Drive in Nepean

The purchase of the property would include the building and surrounding parking lots. (Patrick Louiseize/CBC)

Possibilities for development​

Beyond that, College ward Coun. Laine Johnson said the property offers a number of development opportunities that could benefit the community.
"It's massive and it's a really good deal for the city and it's going to be truly transformative for this community," she said.
Johnson said some possibilities include developing the land for housing, which could include units at market rent and others for low-income residents.
"[It could be] a true mixed community for housing," said Johnson.
With more density also comes more business opportunities, she said, adding that the community is in need of smaller businesses, not just big box stores or chain restaurants.
The property is also located near Algonquin College. Staff wrote owning the land would also "provide added benefits to the City, which will be defined in the new Algonquin Station Secondary Plan, set to launch later this year."
The city would officially take over ownership of the property by the end of February next year.
The report will be formally discussed at the city's finance committee on June 4, before it is presented to council a week later.
 
Some history the City ahs had with the area.

Algonquin College Centre for Contruction Excellence SSP thread, with some background on a City masterplan and Algonquin O-Train tunnel: https://skyscraperpage.com/forum/showthread.php?t=159739&page=2

2009-2010 masterplan discussions: https://app06.ottawa.ca/calendar/ottawa/citycouncil/occ/2003/05-14/csedc/ACS2003-CRS-RPR-0040.htm

2003 Lease agreement details and propreties that were considered surplus (consolidation of former pre-amalgamation office space): https://app06.ottawa.ca/calendar/ottawa/citycouncil/occ/2003/05-14/csedc/ACS2003-CRS-RPR-0040.htm

In addition to 100 Constellation housing City and Provincial services and offices, the area is also home to Ben Franklin Place, a branch of the Ottawa Public Library and performance theatre. It was once Nepean City Hall and is named for former Mayor (not the American Founding Father).

Considering the Governmental services, Algonquin College across the street and the future underground Algonquin O-Train Station, this area has a high potential to become an important urban node.
 
This is huge for the city! It's the property outlined in red below and potentially green as well? The green outlines are separate properties but are also labelled as 100 Constellation on GeoOttawa. The two lots with red "?" on them are not labelled but could also be included.

The blue shaded area is all land already city owned land. Once 100 Constellation is bought, the city owns a hefty chunk of land, surrounding an LRT station, at a college, at two main roads, adjacent to a massive powercentre. Density 📈!

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I assume the deal includes the parking lots closest to the station in green. Arnon owns the Woodline Building leased by DND, as far as I can tell. I thought the City owned the bus lay-by, but I could be wrong.
 

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