I love Larry.

For some people, they might have heard that I had a great scheme to one day to move the Greyhound bus station, when I was big and rich, and to develop the site into a commercial or residential high-rise. I wish that was still the plan. I'd be rich. It would be the act that would let me retire. There was only one problem with that plan. I am nowhere near rich enough or connected enough at this point to pull off such a move.

So, what's the next best thing?

Well, check out this article.

This article talks about Larry O'Brien's plan to have Greyhound move out of the downtown core and move to Vanier along with the Via Rail Station. I think this is a wonderful idea. First, the piece of land where the Greyhound sits should be redeveloped. From a transit perspective, I could see light-rail going to the train station before I could ever see it connecting to the current bus station. The current bus station is somewhat cumbersome for travelers to maneuver around town once they arrive from the bus station. The current infrastructure is not very convenient.

Second, urban planners for the city of Ottawa are trying to get people to move back into the downtown core. With the hot sale of condos in the area, the plan seems to be working, but by redeveloping the eyesore the bus station is, the city has a better chance to continue to do this. Part of the reason for the city's plan to do this is because urban sprawl costs a lot of money. Roads, buses, and light-rail need to be constructed to service outlying areas. If we create a downtown core that is suitable for pedestrian traffic, the city has reduced its costs significantly.

I would be lying if I didn't have an interest in this plan. My house is directly behind the bus station. I love the location due to the proximity to downtown and the highway, but the bus station can be a little noisy. I would certainly prefer to see a new condo or office tower built. It would be new and would make my neighborhood that much more desirable. I think my property value just went up. :)