M E M
O /
N O T E D E S E R V I C E
|
|
|
6. Reducing The Impact Of The Barricades At
The Us Embassy On Sussex Drive Réduction De L’incidence Des Barricades À
L’ambassade Des États-Unis De La Promenade Sussex |
That Council direct staff to
continue discussions with all responsible parties to eliminate or reduce the
negative impact of the security barricades on Sussex Drive with the objective
of re-establishing some traffic on the west lane, and specifically to:
a. Confirm
specifics related to the works that would be required to replace the barriers
with bollards.
b. Determine
the costs associated with these additional works.
c. Determine
funding sources and/or cost sharing to undertake the additional works and,
d. Report
back to Transportation Committee as soon as these determinations are made to
allow Transportation Committee to give consideration to the incorporation of
the replacement of the barriers with bollards as part of the Sussex Drive
reconstruction project.
Que le Conseil charge le personnel de poursuivre des discussions
avec les parties responsables en vue de supprimer ou de limiter les effets
négatifs des barricades de sécurité installées sur la promenade Sussex, de
manière à ramener une part de la circulation sur la voie gauche et, plus
particulièrement :
a. de confirmer les détails relatifs
aux travaux à entreprendre pour remplacer les barricades par des bornes de
protection;
b. d’établir les coûts liés à ces
travaux supplémentaires;
c. de déterminer les sources de
financement ou les modalités d’une entente de partage des coûts en vue de ces
travaux supplémentaires;
d. de rendre compte des éléments
précédents au Comité des transports dès que possible pour permettre à celui-ci
de considérer le remplacement des barricades par des bornes de protection dans
le cadre du projet de reconstruction de la promenade Sussex.
Documentation
1. Transportation Committee report dated
15 October 2009 (ACS2009-CCS-TRC-0019).
2. General Manager, Planning and Growth Management Department Memo dated 1
December 2009.
3. Extract of Draft Minute, 2 December 2009.
Comité des transports
15
October 2009 / le 15 octobre 2009
Submitted by / Soumis par : Georges Bédard, Councillor /
Conseiller
SUBJECT:
|
REducing the impact oF THE BARRICADES AT
THE US EMBASSY ON SUSSEX DRIVE |
|
|
|
OBJET :
|
rÉDUCTION DE L’INCIDENCE DES BARRICADES À L’AMBASSADE DES
ÉTATS-UNIS DE LA PROMENADE SUSSEX |
That the Transportation Committee recommend
that Council direct staff to pursue discussions
with responsible parties to eliminate or reduce the negative impact of the
security barricades on Sussex Drive so as to have a remedy at the end of this
reconstruction, and to report back to the Transportation Committee and Council
on new measures that will be taken before the end of reconstruction.
Que
le Comité des transports recommande au Conseil de charger le personnel de
poursuivre des discussions avec les parties responsables en vue de supprimer ou
de limiter les effets négatifs des barricades de sécurité installées sur la
promenade Sussex, de manière à obtenir une solution à la fin de ce projet de
remise en état, et de charger le personnel de rendre compte au Comité des
transports et au Conseil des nouvelles mesures qui seront adoptées avant la fin
des travaux.
On 7 October 2009, the aforementioned Notice of
Motion was put forward for consideration at a subsequent meeting.
Le 7 octobre 2009, l’avis de motion mentionné ci-dessus a été présenté aux fins d’examen à une réunion ultérieure.
On 6 November 2001, temporary barricades were
installed on Sussex Drive and MacKenzie Avenue surrounding the U.S.
Embassy. The barricades are unsightly and cause major disruption in Ottawa’s number
one tourist area.
The City intends to
completely reconstruct Sussex Drive between George Street and St. Patrick
Street starting in November 2009 and this is an opportune time to transform the
Embassy’s protective perimeter in a way that maintains or enhances the
Embassy’s security requirements, contributes to the City’s urban design goals,
and is integrated into the National Capital Commission’s design of
Confederation Boulevard. It is
understood that the design of the new perimeter is to be temporary as well and
subject to removal should the security requirements of the U.S. Embassy change
in the future. The National Capital
Commission has been supportive of this approach.
Le 6 novembre 2001, des barricades temporaires ont été installées sur la promenade Sussex et l’avenue MacKenzie autour de l’ambassade des États-Unis. Les barricades sont inesthétiques et causent une perturbation dans la principale zone touristique d'Ottawa.
La Ville a l’intention de reconstruire
entièrement la promenade Sussex entre la rue George et la rue St-Patrick à
compter de novembre 2009; il semble que ce soit l’occasion de transformer le
périmètre de protection de l’ambassade de façon à ce qu’il continue à répondre
aux exigences de sécurité de l’Ambassade ou les surpasse, qu’il contribue aux
objectifs d'aménagement urbain de la Ville et qu’il s’intègre à la conception
du boulevard de la Confédération de la Commission de la capitale nationale
(CCN). Il est entendu que la conception du nouveau périmètre sera aussi
temporaire et devra être révisée en cas de changement, dans le futur, des
exigences de sécurité de l'ambassade des États-Unis. La Commission de la
capitale nationale appuie cette démarche.
The Planning and
Growth Management Department has held initial discussions with the Royal
Canadian Mounted Police and the United States Embassy, and this discussion has
established a positive working relationship that is focused on finding a
suitable alternative to the jersey barriers that will fulfill everyone’s goals
and objectives.
Public Works Department
In regards to traffic flow, the loss of the
northbound westside curb lane on Sussex Drive causes a loss in lane capacity on
Sussex Drive. This significantly affects
the ability to process traffic through both the Rideau-Sussex intersection and
the Sussex-St Patrick intersection.
Rideau Street is also a major east-west transit
route (both OC and STO) and removing the lane on Sussex has had an adverse
effect on transit operations through this corridor. Should the City reclaim the lane or a part of
the lane for northbound traffic this will significantly improve operations in
the area.
Infrastructure
Services and Community Sustainability
The Planning and Growth Management Department
have had a keen interest in this file and have led discussions internally with
other City departments and externally with stakeholders that include the
National Capital Commission, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and the United
States Embassy, to discuss possible approaches to the Embassy’s perimeter. The Department has been encouraged by the
initial direction of these discussions and would request Council support to
pursue them.
Le Service de
l’urbanisme et de la gestion de la croissance a tenu des discussions
préliminaires avec la Gendarmerie royale du Canada (GRC) et l’ambassade des États-Unis et cette
discussion a permis d’établir une relation de travail positive axée sur la
détermination d’une solution de rechange convenable aux murets qui satisfera
aux buts et aux objectifs de chacun.
Service des travaux publics
Pour ce qui est de la circulation, la perte de la voie ouest en direction nord sur la promenade Sussex engendre une perte de la capacité des voies de la promenade Sussex et a par conséquent des répercussions sur la circulation à l’intersection de la rue Rideau et de la promenade Sussex et à celle de la promenade Sussex et de la rue St-Patrick.
La rue Rideau est également un circuit important de transport en commun est-ouest pour OC Transpo et pour la Société de transport de l’Outaouais (STO) et la perte de la voie de la promenade Sussex a un effet défavorable sur les opérations du transport en commun dans ce corridor. Si la Ville récupère la voie ou une partie de la voie pour la circulation en direction nord, les opérations seront grandement améliorées dans la zone en question.
Services d'infrastructure et Viabilité
des collectivités
Le Service de l’urbanisme et de la gestion de la croissance a un intérêt marqué pour ce dossier et a mené des discussions avec les autres services de la Ville et à l'externe avec des intervenants, dont la Commission de la capitale nationale, la Gendarmerie royale du Canada et l’ambassade des États-Unis, afin de discuter d’approches possibles en ce qui concerne le périmètre de l’Ambassade. Le Service est encouragé par l’orientation initiale de ces discussions et demanderait le soutien du Conseil en vue de les poursuivre.
There are no legal/risk management impediments to staff pursuing
discussions with the responsible parties with a view to eliminating or reducing
the impact of the US Embassy security barricades. However, any
"remedies" which will be incorporated into the contract for the
reconstruction of Sussex Drive may require design and scope changes for that
contract.
Il n'existe aucun obstacle juridique ou lié à la gestion des risques en ce qui concerne la poursuite de discussions avec les parties responsables concernant la suppression ou la limitation des effets négatifs des barricades de sécurité aux abords de l’ambassade des États-Unis. Toutefois, toute mesure qui sera prise et intégrée au contrat de reconstruction de la promenade Sussex pourrait nécessiter des changements à la conception et à la portée de ce contrat.
This report has no current funding implications. Any negotiated requirements and funding
implications will be subject to a future report.
Ce rapport n'a pas d'incidences de financement actuellement. Toutes
exigences négociées et incidences de financement feront l'objet d'un futur
rapport.
Staff will undertake the direction of Committee
and Council.
Le personnel exécutera les directives du Comité et du Conseil.
|
To / Destinataire |
Chair and ToMembers of Transportation
Committee |
File/N° de
fichier: ACS2009-CCS-TRC-0019
|
|
From / Expéditeur |
John L. Moser General Manager,
Planning and Growth Management Department |
|
|
Subject / Objet |
SubjectSussex Drive Reconstruction and Replacement
of Jersey Barriers in front of the United States of America Embassy |
Date: December 1, 2009 |
§
There is
concurrence from the United States of America Embassy with the proposal by the
City of Ottawa and National Capital Commission to replace the existing jersey
barriers with bollards as part of the Sussex Drive reconstruction project. The preliminary cost estimate to construct the bollards on
Sussex Drive is in the order of $900,000.
§ If the replacement of the current barriers with a bollard system is implemented there are impacts to the existing underground infrastructure on Sussex Drive. The watermain alignment would need to shift eastward which would then have subsequent impacts on the sanitary/storm sewers and potentially a gas main. In addition, an existing hydro duct and associated manhole structures would have to be relocated. Costs of the above are currently under review.
§
A
cost-sharing agreement between all parties for the implementation of bollards
and associated streetscaping will be brought to Committee and Council for
approval. The National Capital Commission’s Board of Directors has recently
approved a funding envelope for the Sussex Drive reconstruction project in
which there are committed funds of up to $1.2 million that may be part of any
cost-sharing agreement.
§
The
contract award for the reconstruction of Sussex Drive (George to St. Patrick)
is complete and construction is scheduled to begin imminently. Therefore,
changes to the scope of work would need to be negotiated with the contractor.
§
It
should be noted that the reconstruction of Sussex Drive has received
Federal/Provincial Infrastructure Stimulus funding, and thus it is subject to
the schedule requirements of that program that mandates construction completion
by March 31, 2011.
Original
Signed By
John L. Moser
General Manager,
Planning and Growth
Management Department
cc:
Nancy Schepers, Deputy City Manager, Infrastructure Services and
Community Sustainability
Wayne Newell, Director, Infrastructure Services
John
Smit, Manager, Development Review, Urban Services
Ziad
Ghadban, Manager, Design and Construction (East), Infrastructure Services
Alain
Miguelez, Program Manager, Development Review
Jo-Anne Moore, Senior Engineer, Infrastructure Projects, Infrastructure Services
REducing the impact oF THE
BARRICADES AT THE US EMBASSY ON SUSSEX DRIVE
rÉDUCTION DE
L’INCIDENCE DES BARRICADES À L’AMBASSADE DES ÉTATS-UNIS DE LA PROMENADE SUSSEX
ACS2009-CCS-TRC-0019 RIDEAU-VANIER (12)
The Committee received
a memo (copy held on file) dated 1 December from the General Manager of
Planning and Growth Management. The memo
provided further information regarding the City’s collaboration with representatives
of the United States of America Embassy, the RCMP and the NCC with respect to
the removal of the jersey barriers in front of the Embassy as part of the
Sussex Drive reconstruction project.
As a
result of the information provided in that memo, Councillor Bédard believed
there was some agreement between all parties as to the possibility of
embellishing the present barricades. He
congratulated staff for moving ahead on the work they have already accomplished
and to see what they recommend as a result of their work on this issue.
Mr.
Moser confirmed that staff in Planning and Growth Management and Public Works
have spent a considerable amount of time working on this project. They have explored the various options
related to the bollards in front of the Embassy and there is more work to be done. Alain Miguelez, Program Manager, Development Review Process
(Urban), elaborated further by adding that over the past few months, staff have
been meeting with the NCC and representatives of the RCMP and the American
Embassy in order to tackle the issue of what to do with the jersey barriers
given the reconstruction of Sussex Drive.
All parties are currently discussing the option of replacing those
barriers with a series of bollards that will be located in the westerly lane of
Sussex Drive. This solution fulfills the
NCC’s urban design goals for Confederation Boulevard, as well as Ottawa’s
Downtown Urban Design Strategy while at the same time, retaining the level of
security required by the Embassy. They
are now at the stage of estimating the cost of doing this.
Councillor Bédard recognized that
in order to receive funding for the reconstruction of Sussex Drive, the City
has to meet the deadline of March 2011 and therefore the work has to be done
quickly. The councillor noted that it is
not exactly known how much it will cost to do what staff are proposing
(outlined in the memorandum) so expected they needed to do further research on
this. The councillor indicated he would
submit a replacement Motion to that which is currently in the report:
That Transportation
Committee recommend Council direct staff to continue discussions with all
responsible parties to eliminate or reduce the negative impact of the security
barricades on Sussex Drive and specifically to:
a. Confirm specifics related to the works
that would be required to replace the barriers with bollards.
b. Determine the costs associated with
these additional works.
c. Determine funding sources and/or cost
sharing to undertake the additional works and,
d. Report back to Transportation Committee
as soon as these determinations are made to allow Transportation Committee to
give consideration to the incorporation of the replacement of the barriers with
bollards as part of the Sussex Drive reconstruction project.
Mr. Moser indicated that this
would have to be done in any case and therefore concurred with this new Motion.
Councillor Wilkinson inquired
what legal requirements there were to allow the US Embassy to continue to use a
lane of road for any kind of barrier.
Legal Counsel, Ernest McArthur, advised that while Sussex Drive is a
City-owned road, the security of the US Embassy is a matter within federal
jurisdiction. When asked whether it was
possible to do the reconstruction without having to place bollards on the road,
Mr. Miguelez explained that the indication from the US embassy is that
they would require this protective perimeter and are operating under the
assumption that the jersey barrier approach would continue if nothing was being
done to the road. He confirmed that
staff have not had discussions with the RCMP or the Embassy, as to whether or
not the City could get that lane back on Sussex Drive.
Councillor Wilkinson suggested
the Motion be amended so that staff also have discussions on what needs to be
done in order to get the west lane of traffic back in use. She stated that the loss of this lane has had
a negative impact on that part of the city i.e., congestion, and the City
should do whatever it could to gain back that lane.
Councillor Bloess thought the US
embassy was responsible for it’s own security and asked if the City had a legal
obligation to put the barriers up. Mr.
McArthur advised that the security of the embassy has to be a full effort by
all parties, but in the final analysis, the RCMP, in cooperation with the
federal government, will determine what is required to properly secure the
embassy. The councillor maintained that
security was not the City’s responsibility in this instance and suggested the
Motion be amended to state that the barriers be eliminated and other security
measures be determined. He further
believed the federal government and the American government should be
responsible for the costs associated with the underground infrastructure. He would not support the Motion.
Councillor Legendre referred to the
information contained in the IPD on today’s agenda, that spoke to the Downtown
Ottawa Urban Design Strategy and the thought of having segregated bicycle lanes
in the downtown. He offered that this
may be an option to pursue on Sussex Drive as part of the reconstruction. Mr. Moser confirmed that staff are aware of
the need and the design includes provision of a cycling route in the
right-of-way. He agreed to investigate
that option further.
Councillor Desroches indicated
his support for the Bédard Motion because he did not want the site to become a
target as that would threaten the residents and businesses in that part of the
city as well. He believed the City
should be heeding the advice of the security experts and should work
cooperatively with those agencies to protect the embassy.
While he did not like the jersey
barriers, Councillor Doucet indicated that as the Capital of Canada, the City
of Ottawa has a responsibility to be a good host to the American government,
which includes understanding their need for protection.
Councillor
Legendre recalled that the original purpose of putting up the jersey barriers
was to prevent the enemies of the United States gaining access to the Embassy
grounds. He too recognized that any
threat to the Embassy would be a threat to the neighbouring community and
agreed that if the Embassy can be made less of a target by deterring such
attacks, then that threat to the community is reduced. He also agreed that the security experts know
what is required.
The
Committee received an amended Motion from Councillor Bédard, prepared in
consultation with Councillor Wilkinson.
Before accepting the amendment, Councillor Bédard wanted assurances from
staff that it was not contrary to the direction he was intending with his new Motion. Mr. Moser indicated that the amendment
provides enough latitude to have a fullsome discussion and with that
concurrence, the councillor agreed to accept the amendment.
In his
closing remarks, the councillor reiterated the fact that the City of Ottawa
needs to be willing to compromise, as set out in his Motion, to see if there is
a possibility and how far the RCMP and the US Embassy is willing to look at
bollards that would improve the look of the area as well as freeing up
circulation for pedestrians and cyclists.
He reminded Committee members that the ByWard Market is the number one
tourist attraction and area for entertainment in Ottawa, and there is a need to
improve Sussex Drive for all users. He
was also cognisant of the City’s responsibility as a Capital City and he
encouraged members to accept the Motion, as amended.
Chair
McRae commented that she had spoken to the US Ambassador and they seemed
amenable to working with the City of Ottawa.
She wanted to ensure that the Motion is clear to staff that they are
being asked to push as hard as they can to ensure the other parties understand
what it is the City wants.
Moved by G. Bédard
That Transportation Committee recommend Council
direct staff to continue discussions with all responsible parties to eliminate
or reduce the negative impact of the security barricades on Sussex Drive with
the objective of re-establishing some traffic on the west lane, and
specifically to:
a. Confirm
specifics related to the works that would be required to replace the barriers
with bollards.
b. Determine
the costs associated with these additional works.
c. Determine
funding sources and/or cost sharing to undertake the additional works and,
d. Report
back to Transportation Committee as soon as these determinations are made to
allow Transportation Committee to give consideration to the incorporation of
the replacement of the barriers with bollards as part of the Sussex Drive
reconstruction project.
CARRIED, as
amended, with Councillor Bloess dissenting
