Public Notice

Block 2 Redevelopment - Phase 2 – Public Comments Invited

January 24, 2025 – The authorities must determine whether the proposed Block 2 Redevelopment - Phase 2, located in Ottawa, ON is likely to cause significant adverse environmental effects.

To help inform this determination, the authorities are inviting comments from the public respecting that determination. All comments received will be considered public and may be posted online.

Written comments must be submitted by February 24, 2025 to:

Environment, Health and Safety

Public Services and Procurement Canada

11 Laurier St, Portage III, Place du Portage
Gatineau, QC  K1A 0S5

Email: TPSGC.RCNLVEEListedeControle-NCRECMPChecklist.PWGSC@tpsgc-pwgsc.gc.ca

Project Description

Block 2 is the city block immediately south of Parliament Hill in downtown Ottawa. It faces the Centre Block and Peace Tower to the north. It is the threshold between city-owned and Crown-owned lands. The block is bounded by Metcalfe, Wellington, O'Connor and Sparks streets.

Our goal is to transform the block into an innovative complex that will meet the needs of Parliament and the public. The Block 2 Redevelopment project will create two new complexes (Block 2 East and Block 2 West), that will redevelop the undeveloped lands and rehabilitate/integrate several existing buildings. The redesigned block will service parliamentary functions and will also include renovated retail space.

The Construction Manager will be installing construction site hoarding to ensure safe construction operations and to maintain public safety during the construction period. Once the hoarding is in place, the following construction work is planned:

• Decommissioning, Demolition and Abatement: involves the decommissioning of mechanical and electrical equipment, as well as the abatement of hazardous building materials in support of interior demolition and deconstruction activities at Bate, Birks, Fisher, Marshall, Canada Four Corners and Union buildings.
• Major Site Utilities Reconfiguration/Relocates or Removals: involves the identification and/or re-confirmation of underground utilities at the Block 2 site (watermains or watermain branches, temporary storm water and sanitary sewer systems, electrical and communications infrastructure, natural gas, Cliff CHCP heating and cooling). All applicable utility and telecom provider approvals will be obtained before isolation, reconfiguration or removal.
• Block 2 East Selective Structural Demolition and Structural Stabilization: involves structural and façade stabilization activities and mass demolition to support the long-term vision and design for the Block 2. This will include masonry consolidation, interior selective structural stabilization, below-grade shoring to stabilize the foundations, and above-grade façade stabilization shoring.
• Mass Demolition and Residual Abatement: involves mass building demolition work and residual hazardous materials abatement to building envelope elements. This work is generally limited to exterior elements and all structural elements to be removed.
• Building Foundations, Shoring and Site Works: involves the subsurface excavation of all soil and rock, down to the underside of new building foundations of the Block 2 site, and associated shoring and soil/rock stabilization work.