M E M O / N O T E D E S E R V I CE

To / Destinataire	Chair and Members of the Planning Committee / Président et membres du Comité de l’environnement	File/N° de fichier: ACS2011-ICS-PGM-0200
From / Expéditeur	John L. Moser, General Manager/ Directeur général, Planning and Growth Management/ Urbanisme et Gestion de la croissance	Contact Person / Personne-ressource: Taavi Siitam Planner/ Urbansiste 613-580-2424 x27788 Taavi.Siitam@ottawa.ca
Subject / Objet	1137 Wellington Street (present Ottawa West Community Support Services) Wellington Street West CDP / 1137, rue Wellington (actuellement les Services de soutien communautaire d’Ottawa –Ouest) / PCC de la rue Wellington Ouest	Date: 20 September 2011 / le 20 septembre 2011

This memorandum provides the results of a staff review conducted as part of the implementation actions of the Wellington Street Community Design Plan (CDP), where on May 25^th, 2011 Council:

Direct Planning and Growth Management to pursue the review of the long-term viability of 1137 Wellington Street (the present Ottawa West Community Support Services) with the affected City departments, including Community and Social Services (City Operations), Infrastructure Services (Infrastructure Services and Community Sustainability) and Real Estate Partnership and Development Office (City Manager’s Office).

Background

The Wellington Street West Community Design Plan (CDP) was reviewed and carried at the Planning Committee of April 26^th, 2011, and approved by City Council on May 25, 2011.

The CDP advises that in the future, if the property at 1137 Wellington Street (the present Ottawa West Community Support Services) is found to represent little or no heritage value and if its building use(s) would benefit from relocation or is no longer appropriate at that site, the removal of the building may offer a rare opportunity to increase the size of the existing McCormick Park (adjacent to the north of the property). As the population increases in this mature urban area finding available green space to ensure a high quality environment will be an on-going challenge. The potential of this building and site for such purpose should be explored.

As part of the implementation of the Wellington Street West CDP, the Planning and Growth Management Department (PGM) sought to determine whether the removal of 1137 Wellington Street is a feasible option in the short- to long- term. This review was conducted in collaboration with the affected City departments, including Community and Social Services (CSSD) and Real Estate Partnership and Development Office (REPDO). CSSD provides funding to the existing use, i.e., the organization occupying the property, and therefore, provided the lead for the work on the Needs Rationalization. REPDO subsequently provided a cursory Building Condition Assessment to determine the physical state of the real property asset and to determine the level of investment required to sustain that asset for a period of (at least) 10 years, i.e., to determine the operational viability of the building.

Response

The Ottawa West Community Support Agency (OWCS) operates its programs in the City-owned facility at 1137 Wellington Street. This agency provides a range of day programs, respite and caregiver support, home help, transportation and meals for vulnerable seniors. Located at this address since August 1980, the agency serves residents of Ward 15/Kitchissippi and is the lead agency for the “Aging in Place” program serving Wards 7, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16 and 17. The OWCS program provides a significant and continuing benefit to more than 3,000 individual clients per year.

The active facility has an identified functional area of 3,000 square feet. The total facility size is noted as 6,000 square feet in REPDO database. The building was subject to a comprehensive ‘Type III’ Building Condition Audit in 2008. The observations from that audit were captured, costed and entered into the RIVA Asset Management System which supports planned life cycle capital expenditure for the Infrastructure Services Department Asset Management Branch. The resulting capital renewal plan indicates a planned life cycle expenditure of $275, 000 over the next 13 years.

The types of renewal events described in the plan are typical for a facility of this vintage. Since there do not appear to be any significant renewals required, it appears that the facility is not at any significant or imminent risk of failure.

In providing the requisite needs rationalization for the current programs and services delivered from 1137 Wellington Street, CSSD staff recognizes the importance of the senior services provided by OWCS from this location.

Staff in the CSSD concluded that these services will continue to be needed in the future as they respond to the increasing needs of seniors in our community.

Conclusion

PGM, CSSD and REPDO are recommending the asset and its use at 1137 Wellington Street be retained and its operation be continued at the present location and from within the current building for the foreseeable future, i.e., over the next 10 years plus. 

If an exceptional circumstance or initiative arose that provided viable, mutual benefits to involved stakeholders, then the building and site use would be reconsidered again earlier than the suggested time period. For example, if the Hintonburg Hub Initiative, or a similar proposal, moved forward and the existing uses were accommodated within such an initiative, appropriately relocated in proximity to 1137 Wellington Street, or another suitable alternative was developed, then the asset and its use should be reviewed for its potential, as the demand for parkland in the area remains.

If you have any questions or comments, please do not hesitate to contact Taavi Siitam, Planner, Community Planning and Urban Design, at extension 27788.

Original signed by

John L. Moser