Residents of 551 Riverdale Avenue, including 1984 Olympic gold medallist Linda Thom, are facing displacement due to a proposed redevelopment plan. The landlord, JSS Riverdale Holdings Inc., intends to demolish the existing townhomes to make way for new construction.
A 1984 Olympic legacy at 551 Riverdale Avenue
Linda Thom, who won gold in the 25-metre pistol event at the Los Angeles Games, is a prominent figure in the Old Ottawa South community. Her presence in the neighborhood is deeply tied to the local landscape, as a nearby park is named in her honor. Thom has expressed a deep connection to the area, noting the graciousness of the people who live near the monument dedicated to her.
The prospect of losing her home is more than a personal inconvenience for the athlete; it represents a broader struggle for stability in Ottawa. As CTV News reported, Thom views the potential displacement as a sign that certain tenants are treated as "second-class citizens" because they lack the mobility to find comparable, affordable housing elsewhere.
JSS Riverdale Holdings Inc’s 2027 demolition timeline
The redevelopment plans for the property near Bank Street were communicated to tenants via email in August. According to the email obtained by CTV News, JSS Riverdale Holdings Inc. expects to file an application for Site Plan Control with the City of Ottawa to facilitate the project. The proposal involves the total demolition of the current structures to allow for new development.
While the landlord has stated that no official notice to vacate has been issued, the timeline for disruption is already taking shape. The company indicated that demolition and subsequent construction activities would likely not commence until the late spring or early summer of 2027. The developer mainttains that it is meeting with residents both individually and collectively to discuss potential relocation and support.
The human cost for residents like Kevin Alexander
The planned demolition threatens to dismantle a support network that many residents have spent decades building. catherine O'Hagan, a resident of the townhomes, noted that many of her neighbors are of retirement age and rely on the safety and familiarity of the current community. For these tenants, the loss of their homes is a devastating blow to their established social structures.
Kevin Alexander, another resident,highlighted the specific vulnerabilities of the community members living at 551 Riverdale Avenue. Alexander, who identifies as autistic, noted that he, his spouse, and his son have found a level of safety and support in this specific neighborhood that they have not found elsewhere. He expressed concern that the redevelopment process may fail to consider the needs of the many marginalized individuals residing in the buildings.
The limitations of the January 2027 Rental Renovation Licence By-law
New municipal regulations may offer little solace to those facing displacement. Although the City of Ottawa approved a Rental Renovation Licence By-law in July 2026, the rules are not set to take effect until January 1, 2027. Even once active, the by-law is designed to address "renovictions" rather than the permanent loss of buildings associated with "demovictions."
Ottawa city councillor Shawn Menard has raised concerns regarding the lack of provincial protections for displaced tenants. Menard argued that while increasing the housing supply is a necessary goal for the city, the current system leaves significant gaps. He has called for stronger measures, such as allowing residents to return to new buildings at their original rent levels or providing comprehensive moving compensation.
The missing numbers in JSS Riverdale Holdings' affordability pledge
Despite the concerns raised by local officials, the specific details of the new development remain opaque. JSS Riverdale Holdings Inc. has stated that it is pursuing options to offer a percentage of the new units at rates below the current market value. However,the company has not yet provided concrete figures regarding how many units will be affordable or what those specific rent amounts will be.
This lack of specificity leaves the future of the community in a state of uncertainty. While the developer claims to be actively working on relocation and support plans, the fundamental question of whether the current residents can afford to live in the new development remains entirely unresolved.
Comments 0