What could have been — old visions and plans for Ottawa

[acottawa]

Originally Posted by phil235

It’s true that the Federal Court hears cases in various locations across the country, but I don’t think a US Circuit Court is a good comparison. Those are courts that hear a wide range of cases across a large district. In Canada, the Federal Court only hears cases in certain areas within the federal jurisdiction, a huge chunk of which is Ottawa-based. The Court itself is Ottawa based, as is the Federal Court of Appeal.

Court houses don’t just consist of court rooms. The bulk of the space is dedicated to court administration. You can put all of those activities in an office building, but I think it’s fair that most countries and jurisdictions see the value in investing in proper facilities for their courts. By failing to build a Federal courthouse, we are just being cheap, which is pretty much par for the course.

The federal court schedule is public. It is a lot of out of Ottawa and virtual hearings, certainly not enough to justify a large courthouse. It is mostly mundane appeals of administrative tribunals, and not like the American federal court or national courts in unitary states.

The current docket appears to only show one significant Ottawa case (at the Supreme Court building) with a few virtual Ottawa cases.

https://www.fct-cf.gc.ca/en/court-files-and-decisions/hearings-calendar

The court of appeal is based in the Supreme Court building, as far as I know this has always been the case.

I don’t think there is any particular international best practice of housing the administrative staff of courts in specially built buildings.

The fact that there isn’t a triad of buildings does not seem like justification to spend a lot of money on a building of questionable value, nor a justification to leave a site vacant forever.

[phil235]

Originally Posted by acottawa

The federal court schedule is public. It is a lot of out of Ottawa and virtual hearings, certainly not enough to justify a large courthouse. It is mostly mundane appeals of administrative tribunals, and not like the American federal court or national courts in unitary states.

The current docket appears to only show one significant Ottawa case (at the Supreme Court building) with a few virtual Ottawa cases.

https://www.fct-cf.gc.ca/en/court-files-and-decisions/hearings-calendar

The court of appeal is based in the Supreme Court building, as far as I know this has always been the case.

I don’t think there is any particular international best practice of housing the administrative staff of courts in specially built buildings.

The fact that there isn’t a triad of buildings does not seem like justification to spend a lot of money on a building of questionable value, nor a justification to leave a site vacant forever.

I'm not sure of the percentage of cases that are heard in Ottawa. I know that they have a fair number of courtrooms in the current location as well as conference rooms, rooms for case management, mediation etc. If it is as limited as you are suggesting, then there is maybe a decent prospect that the West Memorial Building would be workable.

[SweazyCavalry]

Well, what about old Ottawa Union Station? I have no idea what the plans for the temporary House of Commons or the temporary Senate are after Centre Block renovations are finished. But as work had already been made and buildings renovated with offices and separate conference rooms owned by the government, it could be an option. (I know it won't be popular with those of you who'd like to see it come back as a train station)

[Harley613]

Originally Posted by SweazyCavalry

Well, what about old Ottawa Union Station? I have no idea what the plans for the temporary House of Commons or the temporary Senate are after Centre Block renovations are finished. But as work had already been made and buildings renovated with offices and separate conference rooms owned by the government, it could be an option. (I know it won't be popular with those of you who'd like to see it come back as a train station)

I wonder when the general consensus will finally arrive that the 'new' train station is only 3870m from the Peace Tower, and while not 'downtown', is actually extremely central in the grand scheme of the city at it's current and future size.

[SweazyCavalry]

Originally Posted by Harley613

I wonder when the general consensus will finally arrive that the 'new' train station is only 3870m from the Peace Tower, and while not 'downtown', is actually extremely central in the grand scheme of the city at it's current and future size.

Oh I Love Ottawa Station on Tremblay. Grew up in the east-end and current access on Line 1 makes it a no-brainer. Also great 60s architecture with so much light.

[phil235]

Originally Posted by SweazyCavalry

Oh I Love Ottawa Station on Tremblay. Grew up in the east-end and current access on Line 1 makes it a no-brainer. Also great 60s architecture with so much light.

I also like the current station, and it still has lots of room to expand capacity. Ideally it also works for high speed rail.

I think that the justification for a revived downtown station would have been for commuter rail, which really needs to end downtown. Since we've decided to extend LRT into the hinterlands instead, that justification is gone. The current station isn't going anywhere.

[Acajack]

My main quibble with Ottawa Station is how dead it feels considering it's the intercity rail station for a major metro area of 1.5 million people and the national capital.

It's not an unpleasant place to travel through.

If HSR gets done it'll be a lot busier, and there isn't anything wrong with it playing that role going forward.

[J.OT13]

Originally Posted by Harley613

I wonder when the general consensus will finally arrive that the 'new' train station is only 3870m from the Peace Tower, and while not 'downtown', is actually extremely central in the grand scheme of the city at it's current and future size.

It's true. I've shared this before, but Ottawa station is very central and has a significant population within 5 km. .

• Video Link

Originally Posted by SweazyCavalry

Oh I Love Ottawa Station on Tremblay. Grew up in the east-end and current access on Line 1 makes it a no-brainer. Also great 60s architecture with so much light.

I agree. Line 1 and the extensions make it far more convenient than before. The location is not as egregious as it once was thanks to the improved access.

Originally Posted by phil235

I also like the current station, and it still has lots of room to expand capacity. Ideally it also works for high speed rail.

I think that the justification for a revived downtown station would have been for commuter rail, which really needs to end downtown. Since we've decided to extend LRT into the hinterlands instead, that justification is gone. The current station isn't going anywhere.

And having the current station is better for high speed rail since it's a through station, while Union would be a terminus.

Originally Posted by Acajack

My main quibble with Ottawa Station is how dead it feels considering it's the intercity rail station for a major metro area of 1.5 million people and the national capital.

It's not an unpleasant place to travel through.

If HSR gets done it'll be a lot busier, and there isn't anything wrong with it playing that role going forward.

Developing the parking lots around the station and making the area a destination all its own would go a long way.