Just how much economic stimulus money ends up in Ottawa is a mystery, but the city has put together a $600-million “menu” of projects that could create more than 7,400 jobs in the next two years.
The prioritized list features nearly $500 million in infrastructure projects, $53 million in social housing improvements, $58 million in recreation infrastructure, and $29 million in cultural initiatives.?
Although the funding would not be allocated based on population, like the gas tax, city manager Kent Kirkpatrick estimated they would be receiving around $461 million, based on per capita funding as a point of reference.?
“This will be a project specific application and funding approval process,” he said.
So far, there are only two conditions for receiving stimulus funding. Only projects that can be commissioned within the next two years, but would not be done without the stimulus funding, are eligible.?
Topping the infrastructure list are transit projects from the first phase of the transit plan, including the extension of the southwest Transitway from Fallowfield to Barrhaven, a tunnel at Baseline Station and pedestrian walkway over Woodroffe Avenue.
Extending Hunt Club Road to Highway 174, and several new pedestrian and cycling paths were also high on the list.?
Priorities on the recreation list include refurbishing the Merivale and Bell arenas, the Nepean Sportsplex Pool, the Gloucester Splash Pad wave pool, and expanding the Greenboro Community Centre.?
The Centrepointe Theatre could be expanded as part of the Cultural Initiatives, along with rehabilitation of the building for La Nouvelle Scene and the Kanata West District Library.?
“We’re going to give them a menu and they are going to have political discussion in terms of what gets funded,” said Mayor Larry O’Brien.
The public will get its chance to comment at an April 7 committee meeting.
