Ottawans should decide where new central library goes, board told

The Ottawa Public Library Board on Tuesdayvoted to launchits project to find a site for a new downtown library, and job one will be to set the criteria for finding that site.

The board has stated it welcomes public input on that criteria, but delegateslining up to speak to the boardhadquestions about how much say the public will have over actually choosing the site.

A spokesperson with Bookmark the Core, a citizen group advocating for more consultation, said public input may be limited.

"Will we actually weigh in on the proposed locations before a final decision is made?And my takeaway from this is that we may not,and that would be a disappointment," said EmilieTaman,whoadded thatBookmark the Corehas the support of 14 community associations.

As for where thesite should be,delegates who spoke to the boardduring itslast two meetings haveasked that the central library remaincentral.

Some developers propose site near LeBreton Flats

A report to the board in February featuredproposals from developers ofa site closer to LeBretonFlats.

Tong Zhao-Ansariofthe Centretown Community Health Centre told the boardthe library is an important resource for many of their clients,particularly vulnerable populations including seniors, the homeless and refugees. She pointedout that most get to the library by walking.

"We would like to make sure the central library remains accessible to people, particularly the population we're serving, so it is definitely a concern if it moved to the west.How are these people going to access the library and the services it provides?"

Kanata NorthCoun. Marianne Wilkinson confirmed a report to the board has already suggested the majority of clients to the central library get there by walking.

"Only sixper cent arrive using public transit, and almost none by car," she said.

Other public delegations included Yves Potvin, who said heevaluated office space andfound thatthe current "weighted mean centre point of the office core" is at Bank and Albert streets, and projected to remain that way. He's thereforequestioning theFebruary report's assertion that thedowntown core is moving west toward LeBreton Flats.

Board chairCoun.Tim Tierney saidmore public consultation opportunities are on theway. The board has hired the public relations firm PACE tobegin mapping out how to include public input, beginning with a websitededicated tothe project by next month.

At the same time, the board is also considering the possibility ofworking in partnership with Library and Archives Canada for a combined site accommodating both libraries. That proposal is still being assessed, and so the board is having to consider site selection options for two scenarios at the same time.

With or without Library and Archives Canada, an announcement for a new site is expectedby the end of the year. The board has already set a goal tobegin construction by mid2018, witha new library ready to open by 2020.