Committee approves a heritage facade improvement pilot in Centretown

The Built Heritage Committee today approved a pilot program to renovate facades on heritage properties in Centretown. The City would fund up to 75 per cent of eligible costs to a maximum of $75,000 for projects along Bank Street and in Somerset Village, as part of the City’s commitment to invest in the downtown core. Eligible projects would fall into two categories: Beautification and Heritage Conservation. Beautification is aimed at improving the aesthetics of storefronts to contribute to the historic character and visual continuity of commercial buildings in the two districts. Eligible projects include new storefront signage, exterior lighting, and removal of inappropriate building elements. Improvements to storefront entrance would also be eligible, including accessibility improvements such as door openers, ramps and railings. Heritage Conservation is aimed at restoring and conserving heritage properties on Bank Street and in Centretown. Eligible projects include storefront conservation or restoration, structural improvements, masonry cleaning and repointing, and reinstatement or replacement of heritage attributes. The proposed pilot program will run from summer 2025 to the end of December 2026 or until the budget is expended. If successful, the pilot program could also be extended to other historic commercial areas. Committee designates three buildings The Committee approved designating three historic properties under Part IV of the Ontario Heritage Act. The former Drummond Presbyterian Church at 2027 Robertson Road meets three of nine criteria for designation. The two-storey stone building played an important role in the history and evolution of church life in Bells Corners. The Presbyterians built the Drummond Presbyterian Church in 1898 as their first church in Bells Corners. In 1925, it became Bells Corners’ first United Church through a merger with the United Church of Canada, who operated in the building until the late 1960s. By then, the building was too small to continue serving the growing congregation and was adapted to serve as a commercial building. Despite significant development around it, the building remains reflective of 19th century vernacular architecture in the area, demonstrating how the rural farming village of Bells Corners has evolved over the last century. L’École élémentaire publique francophone Francojeunesse at 119 Osgoode meets eight of nine criteria for designation. The school building was constructed in 1897 as Osgoode Street School, an English language public school. The original building was designed by Edgar Lewis Horwood in the Romanesque Revival style. The Ottawa Public School Board established the Osgoode Street School in response to 19th century population growth in St. George’s Ward. Osgoode Street School was the second public school built in the ward and is the only remaining 19th century public school in the area. In 1979, the English school closed and re-opened as a French language public school. The property at 119 Osgoode Street plays an important role in defining the character of Sandy Hill, an older residential neighbourhood with many 19th and 20th century buildings alongside newer construction. The Wesley Building at 1235 Wellington Street West meets four of nine criteria for designation. Also known as 120 Holland Avenue, it is a five-storey building constructed in 1955 in the Art Moderne architectural style. It was originally constructed as a mixed-use office building with commercial space on the ground floor and was adapted in the 1990s to add residential space on the upper floors. Art Moderne developed partly due to the Great Depression, gaining popularity in the 1930s as a simplified expression of the more extravagant Art Deco style. The Wesley Building is one of few remaining examples of the Art Moderne style in the city, featuring typical elements including a rounded corner, flat roof, horizontal windows, steel detailing, and smooth exterior cladding of buff brick and tile. The building was designed by prominent local architecture firm Abra & Balharrie, whose portfolio includes many Modernist institutional and school buildings in Ottawa. Many of their buildings have been altered but the Wesley Building remains highly intact and continues to represent the architects’ original vision. With its rounded corner form and recessed ground floor storefronts, it is a prominent feature on Wellington Street West at Holland Avenue. Committee approves application to alter 254 Argyle Avenue for more housing The Committee also approved an application to alter 254 Argyle Avenue, a property designated under Part V of the Ontario Heritage Act and located in the Centretown Heritage Conservation District (HCD). A new nine-storey residential building with 84 dwelling units is proposed for the site, which houses a one-storey, red-brick former church built in 1930 as Église Christ-Roi Catholic Church. The former church, which is a contributing property within the HCD, would be dismantled and reassembled. A portion of the façades would be reinstated as part of the new building’s base. Restoration of other heritage features would be completed, including the steeple, cast iron lanterns and transom. Conditions of approval would require the applicant to provide financial securities to ensure the dismantling, storage, restoration and reconstruction is completed, and to submit a general dismantling and construction schedule with key project milestones. The project also requires a zoning amendment, which will be considered at the Planning and Housing Committee meeting on Wednesday, June 18. Items from today’s meeting will rise to Council on Wednesday, June 25. Related topics

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