a peek inside the fishbowl

Dagne and I have distributed about 250 letters in our neighborhood.   People are talking now more than ever. I never imagined there could be so much pent up frustration about development in this neighborhood. I am thrilled there are so many individuals who feel as strongly as well do about this issue.

Maria K kindly gave me permission to post the text of the email she wrote to the City of Ottawa as well as Christine Leadman, our new city councilor.

Here it is:

–

To all whom this may concern,

As a resident of Westboro I am aware that the architect and developer Barry Hobin has submitted an application to the City of Ottawa to rezone the land where the Maison Jeanne D’Arc resides (the old school and convent on Kenwood Avenue between Edison and Melbourne Avenues).  I also know that it is his intention to demolish the existing 1930s structure and replace it with 20 new homes.  The news of all this has saddened me significantly.  I was a student at Jeanne D’Arc and many of my fondest memories took place there.  I also live right across the street from the Maison Jeanne D’Arc and I know that if I looked out my window and didn’t see the building there I would feel nostalgic and sad that we allowed a developer to demolish and
replace something that deserves to remain a part of our neighbourhood and city’s history.  I think it would be a shame to bulldoze this building. It’s been a part of our community for so many years that getting rid of the building would change the whole look and feel of the neighbourhood.  Also by demolishing the building it demonstrates that we don’t value the need to preserve heritage properties and that we are willing to forget the history behind this building and the people that occupied it.

I believe that the Maison Jeanne D’Arc building deserves special heritage designation.  Mr. Hobin or any future developers should be required to preserve the existing structure.

Let us all unite and come out victorious.

Best regards,

Maria K.
Edison Ave
Westboro Resident