Land use plan for Ruisseau de la Brasserie (Brewery Creek)

The NCC plans to rehabilitate the lands along Brewery Creek to give permanent public access to the shoreline, while at the same time contributing to the revitalization of Montcalm Street and downtown Gatineau.

Brewery Creek federal lands cover 14,500 m2 (1.45 ha) and are owned by the NCC. They are located between Brewery Creek, Montcalm Street and Wright Street, right in the heart of downtown Gatineau. The maisons allumettes, or “matchstick houses” constructed of wood, and the two and three storey buildings that also housed local businesses on these lots at the start of the 20th century, disappeared during Hull’s industrial decline, leaving behind highly contaminated land.

The Brewery Creek land use plan will guide land and waterway rehabilitation in this sector and will outline future uses. The plan promotes mixed-use residential and commercial spaces that highlight urban architecture and design.

Not including real estate, this project will require more than $20 million for ground remediation and development of green and public spaces. Site development will include four buildings, pedestrian laneways, large green spaces, a multi-use pathway and a walkway. Buildings will occupy 35% of the total area, leaving 65% of the site available for green and public spaces. Developing green spaces along Brewery Creek will allow people to have direct access to the shoreline for various activities, and adding buildings will increase the potential for new housing.

Retail services and other public services on the ground floor of buildings will enliven the area and lanes and alleyways will harmonize the built environment and green spaces, in addition to creating viewpoints from Montcalm Street onto the creek.

The project vision is guided by the Plan for Canada’s Capital.

The NCC is working closely with stakeholders, including the Ville de Gatineau and the Société de transport de l’Outaouais (STO). Together, they are joining forces to improve the site and safeguard its heritage, bring in more people, and improve accessibility.

In fall 2023 and winter 2024, over 650 people took part in the public consultation sessions organized by the NCC to gather comments from the public about the key themes of the Brewery Creek land use plan, including the configuration of publics spaces, amenities and desired services, types of buildings, and connection with the community.

The NCC gathered both the public’s and stakeholders’ feedback to better understand the community’s values and the main issues raised in order to potentially adjust the redevelopment plan, the mitigation measures used to lessen impacts, and the amendment to the NCC’s Ottawa River North Shore Parklands Plan.

Comments received will inform the development of the call for land use proposals to find a proponent for the project.

Following are the main points raised during the consultations:

• Green spaces: There is much demand for preserving the natural environment and maximizing green spaces by creating a park, planting more trees and protecting the shoreline.
• Public access: Comments by members of the public underscore the importance of universal public access to the shoreline, including inclusive and enjoyable access for everyone.
• Housing: Opinions regarding housing were more diverse. Some participants expressed a desire to see affordable social housing, while others wanted housing for families that would enable them to reside in the neighbourhood for a long time; others did not want to see any residential construction on the land.
• Businesses and services: Participants were interested in having local and neighbourhood businesses such as coffee shops, bistros, neighbourhood grocery stores, drugstores and daycare centres. There was also a desire to see welcoming and friendly meeting places such as terraces, cultural and artistic venues, and community association spaces.
• Activities and events: Participants highlighted interest in providing venues for activities and events like public markets, performances, artist exhibitions and for creating space for physical activity.

The complete consultation report is available in the Documents section (see below).

2023

• Public presentation of development plans (issues table for the downtown sector)

2024

• Open house event: February 29, 2024
• Online survey: February 29 to March 14, 2024
• Request to update the Ville de Gatineau’s urban plan (application to amend the special planning program for the downtown)
• Amendment of the NCC’s Ottawa River North Shore Parklands Plan

2025+

• Develop a ground remediation/decontamination plan
• Establish a public advisory committee
• Set up the tendering process to choose a preferred proponent (NCC retains ownership of the lands)
• Select a proponent and receive public input
• Implement project and develop public realm

• Ottawa North River Shore Parklands Plan
• Canada’s Capital Core Area Sector Plan
• The Plan for Canada’s Capital, 2017–2067