National Capital Commission trying again on major Ottawa land development

OTTAWA – The government of Canada is once again trying to offload billions of dollars worth of Crown land next to Parliament Hill that has remained virtually empty since the 1960s.

The National Capital Commission will issue a new call for proposals to develop the LeBreton Flats area of Ottawa after a former redevelopment plan, which featured a new arena for the Ottawa Senators, ended in failed mediation and lawsuits.

The federal agency says a new vision for the 22-hectare site will be created that will include the potential for a new “major events centre” — but this centre might not include the Ottawa Senators.

The NHL team’s owner, Eugene Melnyk, had joined with Trinity Group founder John Ruddy to come up with a $4.1-billion plan for the land that included a new hockey arena, but the partnership soured and finally ended last week without a settlement after weeks of mediation talks led by a retired judge.

Both partners have since launched legal actions against one another, claiming over $1.7 billion in damages between them.

National Capital Commission CEO Tobi Nussbaum said today the agency remains committed to developing LeBreton Flats, but this time the process will include a phased approach — beginning with certain parcels of land — and tighter timelines for negotiations.