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“If we wanted to slap up some soulless, ugly condominiums, we could do that very, very quickly,” Baird said. But that’s not what anyone wants. “These are nationally historic federal lands. Let’s make sure we get it right.”

THE LANDS

The 9.3-hectare “core offering” is broken into two parcels. It is easily large enough to accommodate the sort of anchor attraction the NCC envisions; indeed, NCC officials say similar attractions elsewhere would occupy a quarter of the site or less.

The NCC has removed contaminated soil, left from past industrial activity, in the northern part of the site, but not in the southern parcel or the 12.1-hectare “Option Lands” further west.

Remediation might be required on those properties as well, depending on the proponent’s proposed uses. But those lands would be offered on an “as-is” basis, with no compensation from the NCC for cleanup.

The Option Lands are south of the Sir John A. Macdonald Parkway, west of the future Preston Street extension and east of Bayview Road. They could be included in the development if they are needed to make the plan viable, said Steve Willis, the NCC’s executive director of capital planning.

“Someone could argue to us that to get the anchor institution we want, they need the additional lands,” Willis said. “It’s tied to the core objective of getting the anchor institution.”

THE TIMETABLE

The NCC will evaluate concept proposals and present a short list of as many as five to the NCC’s board by early next year. Those chosen will have until August 2015 to submit detailed design and financial proposals, which will be displayed at a public event to get comment and feedback.

The timetable calls for the recommended proposal to go to the NCC’s board in November 2015 for approval, with cabinet signoff early in 2016.

Kristmanson noted wryly that his appointment was for five years. “I’d like to see something done on my watch. The community has waited for decades for this development.”

dbutler@ottawacitizen.com

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