2. DESIGNATION OF THE MAYFAIR THEATRE, 1074 BANK STREET UNDER PART IV OF THE ONTARIO HERITAGE ACT

DÉSIGNATION DU CINÉMA MAYFAIR SITUÉ AU 1074, RUE BANK AUX TERMES DE LA PARTIE IV DE LA LOI SUR LE PATRIMOINE DE L’ONTARIO

Committee recommendations as amended

That Council:

1. Approve the designation of the Mayfair Theatre, 1074 Bank Street under Part IV of the Ontario Heritage Act in accordance with the Statement of Cultural Heritage Value, attached as Document 4 as amended by LACAC.

2. Approve the inclusion of the Mayfair Theatre, 1074 Bank Street, on the City of Ottawa heritage register.

Recommandations modifiÉeS du Comité

Que le Conseil :

1. approuve la désignation du cinéma Mayfair, situé au 1074, rue Bank, aux termes de la partie IV de la Loi sur le patrimoine de l’Ontario, conformément à l’énoncé des raisons motivant la désignation de biens ayant une valeur sur le plan du patrimoine culturel, qui font l’objet du document 4 ci-joint tel que modifié par le CCCAL;

2. approuve l’inclusion du cinéma Mayfair, situé au 1074, rue Bank, dans le registre du patrimoine de la Ville d’Ottawa.

Documentation

1. Deputy City Manager, Planning, Transit and the Environment report dated 20 August 2008 (ACS2008-PTE-PLA-0190).

2. LACAC Extract of Draft Minutes of 4 September 2008.

3. Extract of Draft Minutes, 23 September 2008.

Report to/Rapport au :

Local Architectural Conservation Advisory Committee

Comité consultatif sur la conservation de l'architecture locale

and / et

Planning and Environment Committee

Comité de l'urbanisme et de l'environnement

and Council / et au Conseil

20 August 2008 / le 20 août 2008

Submitted by/Soumis par : Nancy Schepers, Deputy City Manager/Directrice municipale adjointe,

Planning, Transit and the Environment/Urbanisme, Transport en commun et Environnement

Contact Person/Personne Ressource : Grant Lindsay, Manager/Gestionnaire, Development Approvals/Approbation des demandes d'aménagement, Planning Branch/Direction de l’urbanisme

(613) 580-2424, 13242 Grant.Lindsay@ottawa.ca

Capital (17)

Ref N°: ACS2008-PTE-PLA-0190

SUBJECT:	Designation of THE MAYFAIR THEATRE, 1074 BANK STREET under part iv of the ontario heritage act
OBJET :	désignation du cinéma mayfair situé au 1074, rue bank aux termes de la partie iv de la loi sur le patrimoine de l’ontario

REPORT RECOMMENDATIONS

That the Local Architectural Conservation Advisory Committee recommend that Planning and Environment Committee recommend that Council:

1. Approve the designation of the Mayfair Theatre, 1074 Bank Street under Part IV of the Ontario Heritage Act in accordance with the Statement of Cultural Heritage Value, attached as Document 4.

2. Approve the inclusion of the Mayfair Theatre, 1074 Bank Street, on the City of Ottawa heritage register.

RECOMMANDATION DU RAPPORT

Que le Comité consultatif sur la conservation de l’architecture locale recommande au Comité de l’urbanisme et de l’environnement de recommander à son tour au Conseil municipal :

1. d’approuver la désignation du cinéma Mayfair, situé au 1074, rue Bank, aux termes de la partie IV de la Loi sur le patrimoine de l’Ontario, conformément à l’énoncé des raisons motivant la désignation de biens ayant une valeur sur le plan du patrimoine culturel, qui font l’objet du document 4 ci-annexé.

2. d’approuver l’inclusion du cinéma Mayfair, situé au 1074, rue Bank, dans le registre du patrimoine de la Ville d’Ottawa.

BACKGROUND

In July 2008, local citizens submitted a request to the Department to have the Mayfair Theatre designated under Part IV of the Ontario Heritage Act for its cultural heritage value. In July 2008, the property owner was notified of this request and informed that he would be notified when a report was scheduled to be presented to the Local Architectural Conservation Advisory Committee (LACAC).

DISCUSSION

Recommendation 1

Part IV of the Ontario Heritage Act gives municipalities the authority to designate properties of cultural heritage value. In order to be designated, the City’s LACAC considers the designation and makes a recommendation to Planning and Environment Committee and City Council. The Act requires that a statement of the property’s cultural heritage value or interest, including its heritage attributes, be prepared and published in a local newspaper. The Official Plan states that, “Individual buildings, structures and cultural heritage landscapes will be designated as properties of cultural heritage value under Part IV of the Heritage Act.”

Research conducted by staff confirmed that the Mayfair Theatre has cultural heritage value and is worthy of protection under Part IV of the Ontario Heritage Act. Ontario Regulation 09/06 outlines the criteria for determining cultural heritage value or interest (see Document 2).

The Mayfair Theatre was designed and built in 1932 as the second Spanish Revival style atmospheric cinema in the city. During the heyday of the new “talking picture” theatres, strong competition with movie palaces encouraged new independent theatres to differentiate themselves as true neighbourhood cinemas.

The Mayfair Theatre’s “atmospheric” auditorium reflects the theatre’s desire to highlight itself as a neighbourhood theatre. Enclosed in a simple brick exterior that harmonizes with the residential neighbourhood, the auditorium today still features much of its original Spanish Revival-influenced design elements. It features a light blue painted ceiling with ornate stone facades and faux balconies along the side walls which give the appearance of a Mediterranean plaza. Wrought ironwork, drapery and ornamental glass windows complete the effect.

The “atmospheric style” of theatre design is attributed to John Eberson (1875-1955), an Austrian-born architect, who began designing theatres in the United States in the 1920s. Eberson’s concept was based on the desire to give the theatre-goer the sensation of being transported to another time and place, to distract them from life's problems and provide them with an atmosphere of rest and beauty. Common themes included an Italian garden, Persian court, and Spanish patio.

The Mayfair Theatre meets a number of the criteria in Ontario Regulation 09/06: it is a representative example of an “atmospheric” theatre from the beginning of the 20^th century and its interior displays a high degree of artistic merit. The theatre has direct associations with the early history of the Ottawa South neighbourhood and communicates the important role and evolution of neighbourhood theatres in the early 20^th century. It is believed to be the work of Mr. John P. MacLaren, an Ottawa architect, who designed other noteworthy buildings in the city such as the First Church of Christ Scientist, and the West Branch Library. As the only surviving Ottawa theatre from the pre-WWII era, and the last remaining operating neighbourhood movie theatre in the city, the Mayfair Theatre is a landmark in the local neighbourhood and in the greater city as well. A heritage survey form is included as Document 3.

Recommendation 2

The Ontario Heritage Act (Section 27, 1.2) provides for the inclusion of certain properties on the heritage register that have “not been designated … but that the council of the municipality believes to be of cultural heritage value or interest.” The Department is recommending that the Mayfair Theatre be included on this list so that it is protected from demolition for 60 days during the designation process.

CONSULTATION

The Old Ottawa South Community Association, Heritage Ottawa and the Ward Councillor, Clive Doucet, are aware of the proposed designation under Part IV of the Ontario Heritage Act.

The Department notified the property owner in July 2008 that a designation request had been received. In August 2008, the Department informed the property owner that a report was to be considered by the LACAC on September 04, 2008.

If Council approves the recommendations in this report, a “Notice of Intention to Designate” is published in the Citizen and Le Droit in accordance with the Ontario Heritage Act. Anyone wishing to object to the proposed designation may do so within thirty days of the publication of the “Notice.” If there are objections, a Conservation Review Board hearing is scheduled to hear them and report to Council. Following the hearing Council can either uphold the designation or withdraw it. The property owner is informed by letter of this procedure.

FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS

The cost of the statutory advertising in the “Ottawa Citizen” and “Le Droit” shall be paid from the 2008 Operating budget of the Planning Branch, account number 112762-502210.

APPLICATION PROCESS TIMELINE STATUS

N/A

SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION

Document 1 Location Map

Document 2 Regulation 09/06

Document 3 Heritage Survey and Evaluation Form

Document 4 Statement of Cultural Heritage Value

Document 5 Additional Photographs

DISPOSITION

City Clerk’s Branch, to notify the property owner (Mr. Stephen Ng, 3201-4333 Central Boulevard, Burnaby, British Columbia, V5H 4W8) and the Ontario Heritage Trust (10 Adelaide Street, 3^rd Floor, Toronto, Ontario, M5C 1J3) of Council’s decision to designate the Mayfair Theatre, 1074 Back Street, Ottawa under Part IV of the Ontario Heritage Act.

Planning, Transit and the Environment Department, Planning Branch to advertise the Notice of Intention to Designate and subsequent Notice of the passage of the designation By-law.

Planning, Transit and the Environment Department, Planning Branch to include the property on the municipal heritage register.

Legal Services Branch to prepare the designation by-law, submit it to City Council for enactment, serve the by-law, and register it on title following passage by Council.

LOCATION MAP DOCUMENT 1

ONTARIO REGULATION 09/06 DOCUMENT 2

Ontario Heritage Act

ONTARIO REGULATION 9/06

CRITERIA FOR DETERMINING CULTURAL HERITAGE VALUE OR INTEREST

Consolidation Period: From January 25, 2006 to the e-Laws currency date.

No amendments.

This is the English version of a bilingual regulation.

Criteria

1.  (1)  The criteria set out in subsection (2) are prescribed for the purposes of clause 29 (1) (a) of the Act. O. Reg. 9/06, s. 1 (1).

(2)  A property may be designated under section 29 of the Act if it meets one or more of the following criteria for determining whether it is of cultural heritage value or interest:

1. The property has design value or physical value because it,

i. is a rare, unique, representative or early example of a style, type, expression, material or construction method,

ii. displays a high degree of craftsmanship or artistic merit, or

iii. demonstrates a high degree of technical or scientific achievement.

2. The property has historical value or associative value because it,

i. has direct associations with a theme, event, belief, person, activity, organization or institution that is significant to a community,

ii. yields, or has the potential to yield, information that contributes to an understanding of a community or culture, or

iii. demonstrates or reflects the work or ideas of an architect, artist, builder, designer or theorist who is significant to a community.

3. The property has contextual value because it,

i. is important in defining, maintaining or supporting the character of an area,

ii. is physically, functionally, visually or historically linked to its surroundings, or

iii. is a landmark. O. Reg. 9/06, s. 1 (2).

HERITAGE SURVEY AND EVALUATION FORM DOCUMENT 3

HERITAGE SURVEY AND EVALUATION FORM

Address

1074 Bank Street

Building name

Mayfair Theatre

Construction date

1932

Original owner

F. W. and F.G. Robertson

PHASE ONE EVALUATION

Potential significance

Considerable

Some

Limited

None

Design

3

History

3

Context

2

Phase One Score

8/ 9

Phase Two Classification

1

2

3

4

Design or Physical Value

Prepared by: Susan Millar

Month/Year: July 2008

Architecture (style, building type, expression, material, construction method)

A simple, two storey, rectangular structure on a reinforced concrete frame, finished in red brick with artificial cut stone detailing. There are no windows. A scalloped parapet on the front façade extends above the roofline. Built in 1932, it was the second Spanish Revival style atmospheric cinema to open along Bank Street. The interior was engineered to afford an uninterrupted view of the screen, accomplished by using wide cross aisles that separated the auditorium from the upper section. When completed, the cinema’s wide entrance was flanked by two small retail spaces. The ‘atmospheric style’ of theatre design is attributed to John Eberson (1875-1955), an Austrian-born architect, who began designing theatres in the United States in the 1920s. He became renowned in 1923 when he designed the world’s first ‘atmospheric theatre,’ the Holblitzelle's Majestic Theatre in Houston Texas. Often integrating other styles of the time, Eberson’s concept was based on the desire to create an environment of illusion for Americans to distract them from life's problems and provide them with an atmosphere of rest and beauty. The style imbued the theatre goer with the sensation of being transported to the skies, villages, and lands brought forth through murals, twinkling stars, staircases, lanterns, and much more. Common themes included an Italian garden, Persian court, and Spanish patio.

Craftsmanship/Artistic merit

While the simple exterior brickwork reflects the residential and main street character of the surrounding area, the scalloped wall parapet hints at the dramatic Spanish Revival style auditorium inside. The theatre features much of the original atmospheric interior, complete with four faux balconies, ornate stone facades, light blue ornamental stained glass windows and medieval-style wrought ironwork. Combined with a light blue painted ceiling, the auditorium was designed to give the effect of watching a movie outdoors in a Mediterranean plaza. The original clock, with lighted blue numbers, still hangs from the faux balcony railing to the left of the screen. All the original art decorations in the auditorium and the ladies’ bathroom are the work of Belgian-born artist, Rene S. DeVos, of Toronto.

Technical/Scientific merit

N/A

Summary

Despite alterations to the storefronts, renovations to the lobby and the removal of the original upright sign, the Mayfair Theatre maintains a high degree of integrity, looking essentially the same as it did when it opened in 1932.

Sources

Atmospheric: Classic Movie Theaters in the Atmospheric Style. [http://cinematreasures.org/style/5/]. 2008; Hall, Ben M. (1961). The Best Remaining Seats: The Story of the Golden Age of the Movie Palace. New York: Clarkson N. Potter; Mayfair Theatre Heritage Survey and Evaluation Form. City of Ottawa, 1991; Mendiola, Sister Christine. (1974). The Atmospheric Style of Theater Design. Master’s Thesis, University of Akron; Miguelez, Alain. (2004). A Theatre Near You: A 150 Years of Going to the Show in Ottawa -Gatineau. Penumbra Press; The Ottawa Journal. Saturday, December 3, 1932, p.15.

Historical and Associative Value

Prepared by: Susan Millar

Month/Year: July 2008

Date of construction (factual/estimated)

1932

Themes/Events/Persons/Institutions

The Mayfair was built as an independently owned family business, and has remained independent from any affiliation with major theatre chains for its entire existence. Its strong neighbourhood ties helped it survive the impact of television in the 1950s and the theatre has operated continuously since its opening. Since 1981, the Mayfair has operated as a repertory cinema, changing its program almost daily. Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau frequented the Mayfair Theatre on a regular basis while he resided in Ottawa.

Community History

The Mayfair Theatre has been a landmark in Ottawa South since its construction in 1932. It has played an important role in the history of the community and is the last remaining operating neighbourhood movie theatre in the city.

Designer/Architect

1932 – Believed to have been designed by Mr. John P. MacLaren*, an Ottawa architect. MacLaren was born in Wakefield in 1865 and was educated at the University of Toronto. After practicing in southern Ontario, he returned to Ottawa in 1897. His most noteworthy buildings in the City are the First Church of Christ Scientist, and the West Branch Library, 1918. He also designed Knox Presbyterian Church (1926) in Manotick. * Heritage File PD071-OHD4300/BANS 01074: telephone conversation with daughter-in-law of original owner, 1991

Summary

With its opening in 1932, the Mayfair Theatre continued the tradition of owner-operated theatres along Bank Street established when the Avalon Theatre was completed in 1928. With the closing of the Phoenix Theatre (1915) in 1991, the Mayfair became the oldest surviving movie theatre business on Bank Street. Its popularity as both a neighbourhood and city-wide theatre, its intended purpose, has remained throughout its history.

Sources

City of Ottawa. (1998). 377 Rideau Street Statement of Reason for Designation. Schedule “B”, Bylaw 169-98; Corber, Beryl. (1991). Mayfair Theatre Heritage Survey and Evaluation Form. City of Ottawa; Miguelez, Alain. (2004). A Theatre Near You: A 150 Years of Going to the Show in Ottawa -Gatineau. Penumbra Press.

Contextual Value

Prepared by: Susan Millar

Month/Year: July 2008

Community Character

The Mayfair Theatre is located in Ottawa South, a residential neighbourhood of predominantly single family homes bisected by commercial and mixed-use development along Bank Street. Construction began in this area in the late 1800s and today features a variety of architectural styles, modern infill and older, predominantly brick, residential construction.

Context/Links to Surroundings

The theatre is an integral part of the commercial and mixed-use buildings along Bank Street, with two storefronts fronting on Bank Street and a simple, red brick facade. The theatre remains an important fixture and helps to define the neighbourhood as a distinct and vibrant community within the city.

Landmark

As the only surviving Ottawa theatre from the pre WWII era, and the last remaining operating neighbourhood movie theatre in the city, the Mayfair Theatre is a landmark in the local neighbourhood and in the greater city as well. The Mayfair’s blending of traditional and Spanish Revival styles creates a well-known example of traditional theatre architecture in Ottawa.

Summary

The theatre is a landmark as the last remaining operating neighbourhood movie theatre, and stands as a reminder of the early heyday of the talking picture theatres from the 1930s. It is also an important fixture within the surrounding streetscape and local neighbourhood.

DOCUMENT 4 (AS REVISED)

STATEMENT OF CULTURAL HERITAGE VALUE

Description of Property

Mayfair Theatre

1074 Bank Street

Mayfair Theatre is located in the community of Old Ottawa South in Ottawa

Statement of Cultural Heritage Value or Interest

The Mayfair Theatre’s cultural heritage value lies in its status as a rare example of a Spanish Revival style atmospheric auditorium, its history and its contextual importance within the City of Ottawa.

The Mayfair Theatre opened in 1932, during the heyday of the new ‘talking picture’ theatres, as the second Spanish Revival style atmospheric cinema in the city. It was built during a time of strong competition between movie palaces when new independent theatres tried to differentiate themselves stylistically from competing cinemas to attract business. The Mayfair is the oldest surviving movie theatre in Ottawa and the last of its type.

The Mayfair Theatre’s Spanish Revival style atmospheric auditorium (designed by Rene de Vos) reflects the theatre’s desire to highlight itself as a neighbourhood theatre, during a time of fierce competition in the movie industry that was prompted by the advent of elaborate movie palaces. Enclosed in a simple brick exterior, which harmonizes with the residential neighbourhood, the auditorium today still features many of its original Spanish Revival-influenced design elements. It exhibits a high degree of craftsmanship typical of the era, including a painted ceiling with ornate stone facades, faux balconies along the side walls which give the appearance of a Mediterranean plaza, wrought ironwork, and ornamental glass windows that complete the effect.

Description of Heritage Attributes

Key elements of the exterior:

· brick parapet

· simple brick details

Key elements that define the Mayfair Theatre as a good example of a Spanish Revival atmospheric cinema include:

Interior:

· painted ceiling

· ornate stone facades

· faux balconies

· light blue ornamental stained glass windows

· medieval style wrought ironwork

· proscenium arch

· door and false window surrounds

· ornamental plaster work

· clock

· wall sconces

Note: north addition not included.

ADDITIONAL PHOTOGRAPHS DOCUMENT 5

Interior of the building as it looks today. Photo by John Yemen and Paul Gordon

Photo from A Theatre Near You, by Alain Miguelez

The interior of the Mayfair Theatre as it appeared in 1944.

Photo by John Yemen and Paul Gordon

The view of some of the faux-balconies: decorated with a clay-tile canopy, medieval‑style wrought-iron lamps and iron spears, and ornate moulding.

Photo by John Yemen and Paul Gordon

A film crew taking advantage of the unique interior, using it as a backdrop for their scene.

Photo by John Yemen and Paul Gordon

View of the cinema clock and one of the faux-balconies.

Designation of THE MAYFAIR THEATRE, 1074 BANK STREET under part iv of the ontario heritage act

désignation du cinéma mayfair situé au 1074, rue bank aux termes de la partie iv de la loi sur le patrimoine de l’ontario

ACS2008-PTE-PLA-0190 capital (17)

Sally Coutts, Heritage Planner provided an overview of the departmental report. She noted that staff supports the request from local citizens to have the theatre designated under Part IV of the Ontario Heritage Act for its cultural heritage, noting it is the only theatre of its type remaining in Ottawa. She also explained that staff are recommending the property be included on the City’s heritage register so that it would be protected from demolition for 60 days during the designation process, should Committee and Council agree to the designation. With respect to the report itself, she asked that it and the Statement of Cultural Heritage Value (Document 4) be amended so that all references to the ‘light blue painted ceiling’ be changed to just ‘painted ceiling’ as the color is not valid.

Kenneth Johnson, Legal Counsel for the property owner confirmed that the theatre would be closing on November 30, 2008 because the industry has changed and the theatre operator feels the business is no longer viable in this location. He explained the current operator of the theatre, who has operated this business for 30 years, is not the property owner. The operator will be taking most of the theatre equipment and furnishings when he leaves, meaning the designation, if approved, would apply to a virtually empty building and not a theatre, per se. He suggested it would not be used as a theatre again without this equipment, and felt it might be hard to attract a tenant to rent it if it could not be renovated for other uses because of designation.

In response to questions from members, Mr. Johnson confirmed the following:

§ The owner of the building objects to the designation; it should not be designated as a heritage theatre if it’s no longer furnished or operated as a theatre

§ The owner would likely consider any serious offers from a tenant wishing to set it up as a theatre again, but has received no such offer at this time and is not seeking any new tenant

§ It is likely the owner will sell the building or demolish it if it is not designated

Members noted that a heritage designation is not connected to a use and cannot cause a particular use to be continued, but protects only the built form of the parts of the structure covered by the designation.  It was pointed out that there might be interest from other businesses in using the building for purposes other than a theatre while keeping the heritage features intact, and some examples of such adaptive use were given.  Furthermore, designation is meant to prevent demolition and loss of this unique landmark building.  Ms Coutts also noted that some developers have expressed (informally) interest in building on top of the current structure for other uses while keeping the original portion as is.

John Calvert commented that the Ottawa South Community Association (OSCA) has not yet adopted a formal position on the designation, but a number of members are supportive. He has received letters indicated support and will encourage those individuals to forward the letters to appropriate City staff. He noted one OSCA member is in the film industry and has raised the topic of the current revival of smaller urban cinemas in various areas that are designed to attract urban dwellers of the area with disposable incomes. He felt this might be an option for the Mayfair with the appropriate plan and marketing.

Mr. Calvert went on to note that the Ottawa South History Project, which is run by a group of local amateur historians and coordinated by him, fully endorses the designation. The group has been receiving many emails of support, one of which he read from for the LACAC’s benefit.

Mohammad Al-Asad, a member of Oswatch (through the Ottawa South Community Association) concurred with Mr. Calvert’s statements of support.

Ken Clavette, Heritage Ottawa expressed full support for the designation. He sympathized with the owner’s economic concerns, but felt the City needs to protect its heritage and not just the best return for money. He suggested the City could work with the owner, operator and the community on a viable plan that would ensure the theatre remains part of the area.

After considerable discussion on the topic, members unanimously supported the designation. They requested that the Statement of Cultural Heritage Value (Document 4) be revised to denote its high degree of craftsmanship and to add certain key attributes such as the proscenium arch, door and false window surrounds, ornamental plasterwork, clock and wall sconces.

The following correspondence was received and is held on file with the City Clerk:

· Email from Mary Martel-Cantelon received on 4 September 2008.

· Email from Elizabeth Vavasour received on 4 September 2008.

· Email from Brian Tansey received on 4 September 2008.

· Email from April London received on 8 September 2008.

That the Local Architectural Conservation Advisory Committee recommend that Planning and Environment Committee recommend that Council:

1. Approve the designation of the Mayfair Theatre, 1074 Bank Street under Part IV of the Ontario Heritage Act in accordance with the Statement of Cultural Heritage Value, as revised, attached as Document 4.

2. Approve the inclusion of the Mayfair Theatre, 1074 Bank Street, on the City of Ottawa heritage register.

CARRIED, as amended

Action 1: Ms. Coutts will revise Document 4 as requested and vet it through members via the Coordinator.

Action 2: The Coordinator will send the revised report and recommendations to the Planning and Environment Committee.

DESIGNATION OF THE MAYFAIR THEATRE, 1074 BANK STREET UNDER PART IV OF THE ONTARIO HERITAGE ACT

DESIGNATION DU CINEMA MAYFAIR SITUE AU 1074, RUE BANK AUX TERMES DE LA PARTIE IV DE LA LOI SUR LE PATRIMOINE DE L’ONTARIO

ACS2008-PTE-PLA-0190 CAPITAL / CAPITALE (17)

Sally Coutts, Heritage Planner, provided a PowerPoint presentation. It is held on file with the City Clerk, along with the following correspondence and documentation:

· Comment sheet from David Chernushenko received on September 23, 2008

· Email from Mary and Ronald Browne dated September 22, 2008

· Email from Jennifer Dickson and Ron Sweetnam dated September 22, 2008

· Email from Ruth Phillips dated September 22, 2008

· Email from Richard White dated September 22, 2008

· Email from Mike Ballard dated September 21, 2008

· Email from Keith Denny and Jennifer Henderson dated September 21, 2008

· Email, including resolution, from Michael Jenkin, Old Ottawa South Community Association, dated September 21, 2008

· Email from April London dated April 3, 2008

· Letter from Stephen Ng dated August 19, 2008

· Revised Document 4 reflecting changes approved by LACAC

Responding to questions from members, Ms. Coutts explained that there are opportunities for adaptive re-use, which would protect the cultural heritage value while introducing a new use. For example, a similar theatre in Toronto was converted to a bookstore. She confirmed the front lobby area is not included in the designation. She advised that there are no assurances the building will be kept up by the owner in the period leading to the designation. She noted the Ontario Heritage Act has a section whereby property standard orders for heritage buildings can be issued; however, it has not been adopted by the City of Ottawa.

Kenneth W. Johnson, legal representation for the owner, spoke in opposition to the proposed designation, confirming the theatre is closing its doors as of November 30, 2008. He said the business is no longer economically viable and its function is no longer feasible. Mr. Johnson indicated his client is concerned that the designation will make the building virtually unusable as it was designed and used exclusively as a theatre. He suggested that adaptive re-use could be no more than wishful thinking. He added that it is an expensive building to maintain and some work needs to be done but it has not been financially feasible to do so. He stated the building could remain vacant if the designation is approved.

Councillor Doucet advised that at least one proponent would be coming forward to purchase the building and use it as a theatre. Mr. Johnson replied that his client is open to any useful economically viable suggestions; on the other hand, he is not a developer and does not have specific plans for the building.

Andrew Waldron, an architectural historian with Parks Canada and President of the Society for the Study of Architecture in Canada, expressed support for the building’s designation. He spoke of its importance nationally as a rare atmospheric theatre and its excellent interior design. A copy of his written submission is held on file with the City Clerk.

Councillor Feltmate inquired on funding programs to assist with the adaptive re-use of heritage buildings. Mr. Waldron replied that Parks Canada manages a cost-sharing program for registered historic buildings, which has recently been infused with more money.

Ms. Coutts added that the Parkdale Fire Station received funding through the program for its restoration and adaptive re-use.

Mary Martel-Cantelon, Friends of the Mayfair, explained that there are many ideas floating around to extend the life of the cinema. She referenced the written submission of David Chernushenko. She felt that the building could be used as a hall for concerts, live entertainment or lectures. She emphasized that the building must not be destroyed, demolished or changed in any way.

Brian Tansey spoke of the Traditional Mainstreet designation of this portion of Bank Street. He stated preserving the building would contribute to the traditional nature of the street. He cited Montréal as an example on how to preserve and re-use similar buildings. Expressing support for the designation, he reiterated that it is only one of two remaining atmospheric theatres in Canada.

Ms. Coutts explained that property standards must be followed for all buildings but a specific section of the Ontario Heritage Act for a specific by-law for heritage buildings has not been enacted in the City of Ottawa at this time.

Paul Keen spoke of the importance of the building for Carleton students and families living in the area. He noted an ad hoc meeting was well attended, as the Mayfair is an extremely valued part of the community. He touched on the need to designate the building to ensure its protection, noting entrepreneurial and cultural imagination is needed.

John Calvert, Old Ottawa South Community Association and Ottawa South History Project, referenced the motion of support adopted by the community association. He discussed the full potential of the building and the community interest in it. He also addressed the preservation of heritage resources in Old Ottawa South, which has a relatively modest collection of designated building (four private residences and two institutional spaces). He also noted that additional recommendations for designations could come forward in the future.

Alain Miguelez, author “The Theatre Near You”, concurred with previous delegations on the historical significance of the theatre. He advised that nothing precludes the continued use of the building as a movie theatre. He explained that the City is down to its last two single screen movie theatres and many were lost because major chains operated them. These chains had a stipulation that any future owner could use these building for anything except for a movie theatre; moreover, they did not want to create their own competition.

Councillor Doucet supported the designation of the Mayfair, touching on its vital part in the community, which supports its designation.

Councillor Hunter stated his suspicion that the process is being used to block a developer’s legitimate right to convert a business that has become obsolete. He questioned why the building was not designated 10 years ago.

Ms. Coutts explained that the Planning branch has a long list of designation priorities and responds to requests from the public. She confirmed Nancy Schepers, Deputy City Manager of Planning, Transit and the Environment, received requests from the public this summer to designate this building. She was not aware that the theatre was closing when the request was received in July 2008.

Councillor Hunter reiterated his earlier concerns and questioned the architectural merit of the building’s exterior.

That the Planning and Environment Committee recommend Council:

1. Approve the designation of the Mayfair Theatre, 1074 Bank Street under Part IV of the Ontario Heritage Act in accordance with the Statement of Cultural Heritage Value, attached as Document 4 as amended by LACAC.

2. Approve the inclusion of the Mayfair Theatre, 1074 Bank Street, on the City of Ottawa heritage register.

CARRIED with J. Harder and G. Hunter dissenting.