Westboro site badly needs a creative plan Final Edition

• Published in: The Ottawa citizen (1986)
• Main Authors: Finkelstein, Maxwell W, Downes, Constance M
• Format: Newspaper Article
• Language: English
• Published: Ottawa, Ont Postmedia Network Inc 25.05.1999
• ISSN: 0839-3222

We attended with interest, and an open mind, the open house on the Loblaws proposal on May 17. The development of the Crain Drummond property is an opportunity to heighten the community atmosphere of Westboro, build upon what is already a high-quality human environment, and revitalize the shopping area along Richmond Road. We looked at the proposal with these three criteria in mind, and asking the question: "What is the optimal use for this property for the maximum benefits for the community of Westboro?" I had heard through Newswest community paper and our elected representatives that the Loblaw Corporation was sensitive to these issues, and I was extremely disappointed to see a proposal that was a standard Loblaws mega-store, thinly disguised by a veneer of false storefronts and trees. Given that Loblaws owns the property, we assume that some kind of retail food store will be built. But I think at this phase in planning that we, as a community, need to look at the mega-store concept put forward by Loblaws and decide if this is indeed the optimal use of the site, from the community's point of view, and not from the point of view of the Loblaw Corporation. This property should be an integral part of the community, and should provide benefits to the community. It must be more than just another big store. We live here. Loblaws doesn't.