1501 St. Joseph Blvd. Barn & Silo Demolition

Project Summary and Objectives

The objective of this project is to address the deteriorated barn and silo located at 1501 St. Joseph Blvd in Ottawa, Ontario, by carrying out a green demolition. These vacant structures located on a highly visible, actively leased farm have reached the end of their life cycle and present health and safety risks to the tenant and the population. The demolition will help ensure the property remains a safe and attractive part of the Greenbelt. An initial request to remove the barn was first made in 2006 due to safety concerns and its impact on the overall appearance of the farm.

Additional objectives include:

  • Sustainability: 97% of materials will be reused or recycled through this green demolition initiative, diverting them from landfills. The site will be seeded with native wildflowers to support pollinator habitat, aligning with the Greening Government and Sustainable Development strategies.
  • Safety, Longevity and Economy: Removing unused buildings improves safety, lowers future costs and risks, and eliminates risks tied to structures that are too damaged to repair.

 

The land is owned by the NCC. The NCC must issue a federal land use, design and real estate transaction approval (FLUDTA). No other federal authority is involved with the project. There is no other NCC interests in the Project.

 

Scope of Work

The scope of work for this project includes:

  • Abatement of designated substances
  • Green demolition of building components, including diversion of salvageable materials
  • Site grading and seeding with native pollinator mix
  • Site cleanup and reinstatement

Site Description

The property at 1501 St. Joseph in Ottawa was purchased by the National Capital Commission in 1964.  The original farm was later divided by the construction of Highway 174.  Since 1996, it has been leased to Orléans Fruit Farm who uses the land for horticulture and the management of small livestock and poultry. Activities on the site include pick-your-own fruit, field berries and vegetables, as well as a market stand to sell produce grown on-site.

The property is bordered by St. Joseph Boulevard and an RCMP facility to the south. and by Highway 174 to the north.  It is accessed via a four-lane road.  To the west are the George Etienne Cartier Parkway (formerly Rockcliffe Parkway) and Green's Creek, while to the east lies a golf course. The site is also surrounded by fields and orchards.

Construction Timing and Phases 

The Project will take place during Fall 2025, and will take approximately 2 weeks to complete.

Potential Environmental and Social Changes

 

The public may take interest in the demolition due to the barn and silo's age and visible location in fall and winter (when not screened by foliage). A Heritage 1 recording has been completed in accordance with FLUDTA requirements.

  • Excavated soil should remain on-site for regrading. If signs of contamination (e.g., debris, ash, staining, or odours) are observed, the NCC will ensure compliance with applicable laws and regulations.
  • Trees with a diameter of 10 cm at breast height (DBH) or greater will not be removed or damaged without prior NCC approval and must be protected from soil compaction and grade changes.
  • The work will be carried out in compliance with the Migratory Bird Convention Act, Migratory Bird Regulations, and Species at Risk Act.

 

More

Latest update

November 4, 2025 – The National Capital Commission issued its Notice of Determination and determined that the project is not likely to cause significant adverse environmental effects.

Participate

Key documents

Key documents
Document number Document title File Date
2 Notice of Determination - Barn & Silo Demolition, 1501 St. Joseph Blvd., Ottawa, ON - November 4, 2025
1 Public Comments Invited - August 8, 2025

Contacts

National Capital Commission
Environmental Assessment
40 Elgin Street
Ottawa, Ontario K1P 5A8
Email: IA-EI@ncc-ccn.ca


Disclaimer

This map is for illustrative purposes. The markers represent the approximate locations based on available data. More than one marker may be identified for a given assessment.

  • Location

    • 1501 St. Joseph Blvd. Barn & Silo Demolition (Ontario)

  • Nature of Activity

    • Other, not otherwise specified

  • Assessment Status

    Completed

  • Start Date

    2025-08-08

  • Proponent

    National Capital Commission

  • Authorities

    • National Capital Commission

  • Assessment Type

    Project on federal lands

  • Reference Number

    89804

Nearby assessments

...within 200 kilometres
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