Top choice for LeBreton redevelopment to be decided April 28

It appears as an innocuous, two-word item slated for 2 p.m. on the National Capital Commission board'sApril 28 agenda: "LeBreton Flats."

But theconversation that takes place could determine the future of whatmany consider the most valuable parcel of available real estate inOttawa.

Two consortia have submitted multimillion-dollarbids to redevelopLeBretonFlats, asite that has sat barrensince it was razed decades ago, and turn it into a lively landmark in the heart of the nation's capital.

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The group backed by the Ottawa Senators envisions a community centred around a major events facility that will serve as the hockey team's new downtown home. The bid includesa canal-like waterway, more than 4,000 housing units and other amenities.

The competingDevcore,Candereland DLS Group also includesa hockey arena in its bid, but characterizes its overall vision for the site as a destinationmade up of acollection of museums and attractions, strung along a Canadian-themed linear park. The DCDLS bid features lesshousing than the competing pitch.

1 'preferred proponent' to be picked

The NCC confirmeda presentation will bemade tothe board next Thursdaylaying out how a five-member selectioncommittee evaluated the bids, and narrowing the field down to one "preferred proponent".

That will be the first time the two competitors hear how they ranked, said the NCC's Nicholas Galletti.

At its Thursday meeting, the NCCwill also release a report that sums up what it heard from thepublic through nearly 8,000 submissionsand two open houses.

The mayors of Ottawaand Gatineauwill get to dive into the discussion, because the presentation coincides withtheir first-ever meeting as non-voting NCC board members.

While the board is expected to settle on the preferred proponent at the meeting, there remainmonths of negotiationand approvals before the major makeover of LeBretonFlats can begin.