NCC wants anchor tenant for LeBreton Flats redevelopment

The National Capital Commission is turning to the private sector for ways to redevelop the next phase of Lebreton Flats but it says this time it wants an anchor tenant such as a national institution on the site.

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The federal agency launched what's called a request for qualifications to redevelop a 9.3 hectare site just south of the Canadian War Museum. Successful applicants will then be invited to participate in a second solicitation stage, the NCC said.

It also said interested proponents should provide an outlook for what they would do with an additional 12.3 hectares to the west of the parcels of land.

NCC CEO Mark Kristmanson says the agency is vowing to do a better job developing the second phase than it did with its previous efforts.

"What's new here is that instead of a mixed-use development we're proposing a major anchor event, this is a substantive change that reflects the arrival of the light rail on the site and the surrounding development of the residential," said Kristmanson.

Baird says Flats spot offers 'endless possibilities'

John Baird, the Minister responsible for the NCC, said he wants the future development to take full advantage of the "endless possibilities" the prime piece of real estate provides.

"If we wanted to slap up some soulless ugly condominiums we could do that very very quickly, but let's take the time to get it right," said Baird.

Dalhousie Community Association president Michael Powell said while the western parcels of land are reasonably nice green space, the land south of the War Museum has been an unsightly "moonscape."

"Moving away from that in as expeditious a way as possible I think is something that works well for everyone," said Powell.

Powell said along with the proposed Windmill development on the Chaudiere Islands, the Lebreton Flats redevelopment creates opportunities for both the city and the neighbourhood.