[URBAN NOTE] On the fate of the former American embassy in Ottawa
Marie-Danielle Smith reports in the National Post's "‘An architectural gem’: Liberals seeking ideas on what to do with empty former U.S. embassy" about the debate in Ottawa on what to do with an empty attractive building in the heart of the city.
The Liberal government is dusting the cobwebs off the former U.S. embassy on Wellington Street in Ottawa, now empty for about 15 years.
Fulfilling an election promise by Catherine McKenna, the environment minister and MP for Ottawa Centre, the Grits are launching a three-week consultation Thursday on how best to put the building to use.
It’s been out of commission since 2001 and has cost about $200,000 a year since then to maintain, even though it’s empty.
In the early 2000s, the Liberal governments of Jean Chretien and Paul Martin had put millions towards planning a National Portrait Gallery for the space.
But the Conservatives under Stephen Harper had other ideas - reluctant to spend big amid a time of economic downturn, they toyed with putting a gallery in Calgary, instead, but ultimately the project did not go ahead.
McKenna explained she’s been hearing from constituents that it’s high time to make use of the historic building, which looks on Parliament Hill.
The Liberal government is dusting the cobwebs off the former U.S. embassy on Wellington Street in Ottawa, now empty for about 15 years.
Fulfilling an election promise by Catherine McKenna, the environment minister and MP for Ottawa Centre, the Grits are launching a three-week consultation Thursday on how best to put the building to use.
It’s been out of commission since 2001 and has cost about $200,000 a year since then to maintain, even though it’s empty.
In the early 2000s, the Liberal governments of Jean Chretien and Paul Martin had put millions towards planning a National Portrait Gallery for the space.
But the Conservatives under Stephen Harper had other ideas - reluctant to spend big amid a time of economic downturn, they toyed with putting a gallery in Calgary, instead, but ultimately the project did not go ahead.
McKenna explained she’s been hearing from constituents that it’s high time to make use of the historic building, which looks on Parliament Hill.