After a week of intense consultation, Mayor Jim Watson says the Sir John Carling site, just down from the current location, is now the first choice for the new Civic Hospital campus.
Surrounded by Ottawa-area Liberal MPs and MPPs, Watson said the site fulfills all the criteria set by the Ottawa Hospital board of directors, in terms of access and location.
"Overall, the Sir John Carling site is a win for the patients, and for the residents of Ottawa," Watson told reporters.
The announcement comes after a wave of opposition in the wake of the National Capital Commission's selection last week of Tunney's Pasture as its preferred site for the new hospital.
Canada’s Heritage Minister has given the site of the former Sir John Carling building her seal of approval.
Melanie Joly said in a statement that she will be requesting federal officials “make all the necessary preparations to make this land available as the future location of Ottawa's Civic Hospital.”’
Environment Minister Catherine McKenna, MP for Ottawa Centre, refused to say what the proposal means for the NCC, following its initial recommendation.
"It's a great day when you see that everyone has come together to focus on the 1.4-million residents of this area who care passionately about the hospital," McKenna said.
"The NCC did a great consultation process - I think we're now looking at what is a great solution for residents of the National Capital region."
Ottawa Hospital board chair James McCracken said McKenna approached them last April and asked them to review the Tunney's Pasture site again -- the board again rejected the proposal.
The Ottawa Hospital's CEO, Dr. Jack Kitts, said he's pleased with the new site because it provides better access for patients than the Tunney's Pasture site.
"I think the conversation got mixed between access for citizens, and access for patients." Kitts said.
"The medical field is all about the access for patients."
Kitts notes that the Sir John Carling site will be within 100 meters of an O-Train stop, so there will be public transit access for visitors and employees.