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Ottawa just spent $1.5M on something that isn't housing. What gives?

Your City Hall is building big things and it’s not just apartment towers

Alright, let’s talk about what’s actually moving through the city’s system. You know, the stuff that went through three levels of approval before it even got to my desk.

We’re seeing some serious investment beyond just residential. There's a new commercial building permit for interior alterations at 4701 Tahoe Blvd in Ward 3, costing a cool $568,320. But get this, an *industrial* permit for interior alterations and a new fire alarm system at 5900 Keaton Cres in Ward 5 is coming in at a whopping $1,556,164. That’s a significant investment in industrial infrastructure, not just another condo building. This isn't just about people living here; it’s about where they might work, too.

On the development application side, it’s not all residential towers either. While we have the residential apartment building proposed for 1970 and 1980 Fowler Drive in Ward 8, there's also an active application for an automobile dealership at 2318 Dundas Street West in Ward 2 and two industrial buildings proposed for 0 Tenth Line West in Ward 9. These are currently "Application in Process," according to the city's latest data.

It tells you something about the direction our city is going. It's not just about housing; it’s about supporting the businesses and services that keep Ottawa running. The real story is never on the Hill – it’s always just off it. We'll be watching how these industrial and commercial permits translate into actual growth and jobs for residents.

Simone Okafor-Bouchard, MiTL Sports Desk, Ottawa.

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