Five high-rise towers with approximately 1,200 residential units could one day be built near the O-Train Blair Station in Ottawa’s east end. Colonnade Bridgeport has submitted an application to the City of Ottawa for the development of high-rise buildings, a park and a multi-use pathway on City Park Drive, 550 metres from the Blair O-Train Station and overlooking Highway 174. “The proposed subdivision will create five blocks to facilitate future development of high-rise buildings containing approximately 1,203 residential units,” says the planning rationale submitted by Novatech. “A park block, block for a multi-use pathway and a public road providing access to the Subject Site from City Park Drive will also be created for future dedication to the city.” The five high-rises will be between 12 and 30 storeys tall, with building heights ranging from 12 and 16 storeys along City Park Drive. Each building will have individual access from City Park Drive, and there will be underground parking facilities for each building, the report says. According to the report, the specific unit mix for each building will be determined through future Site Plan applications. “The proposed development will create lots for future high-rise towers along with a pathway block, a block for parkland and new local road with sidewalks to provide access to transit within 550 metres walking distance of Blair station and a major shopping centre (Gloucester Centre),” said the report. “The proposed subdivision will facilitate opportunities to provide a compact transit-supportive built form within proximity of rapid transit service.” A section of the land is currently used as surface parking for an office building, while the eastern section of the land is vacant. Two high-rise towers of 20 storeys and 23 storeys were built just east of the proposed development.
