Amazon building new fulfilment centre in Ottawa’s south end

The online retail giant’s massive footprint is expanding in the capital and nearby neighbours are concerned. CTV’s Tyler Fleming reports.

Construction has begun on a third distribution centre for Amazon in Ottawa’s south end, as the American e-commerce company continues to expand its footprint in the capital.

An Amazon spokesperson confirmed to CTV News Ottawa it has begun work to build a new fulfilment centre in the area of Bill Leathem Drive and Leikin Drive in Barrhaven.

Amazon purchased the property for the new facility in 2024, and will build a 3.1 million square-foot facility.

“Amazon has a strong track record in Ottawa: we opened our first local facility, YOW1, in 2019, and today operate two fulfilment centres and two delivery stations in the city,” an Amazon spokesperson said.

“This new facility will serve customers across the country.”

Amazon has fulfilment centres on Boundary Road in Navan and on Citigate Drive in Barrhaven.

The company said more details about the new facility, including how many employees will work in the building, will be released at a later date.

A recent report from CBRE Canada, a commercial real estate agency, said the warehouse will span over three parcels of land in the Bill Leathem Drive and Leikin Drive area.

“Their recent acquisition of the property from Broccolini for $109.1 million reaffirms the company’s commitment to the region,” CBRE said.

According to documents filed with the city, the five-storey building will have 60,701 square metres of space on the ground floor, with four floors allocated for operational facilities and office space on the ground floor. The development includes 59 loading docks and a fenced truck yard to accommodate 482 trailers.

Residents worried about traffic impacts

Traffic impacts have dominated the conversation in communities surrounding the future facility, according to Barrhaven East Coun. Wilson Lo.

“Some residents have also reached out about other issues related to the development, but traffic certainly has been at the forefront,” Lo said.

“When it comes to mitigating the impacts of construction as well as operational traffic in the future, that is on the city to make sure that we do that.”

Some residents say they were frustrated by the lack of public consultations on Amazon’s new facility, but Lo notes, it is not required in this situation.

Lo says he will hold a public information session for residents later this year.

“Even though the shovels are in the ground, even though construction is going ahead, there are some operational elements where Amazon can listen to be a better neighbour. It’s also a chance for residents to see exactly what’s being developed and perhaps ask some questions,” he said.

With files from CTV News Ottawa’s Tyler Fleming