OTTAWA — Despite misgivings expressed by members of the Ottawa Recreation Commission, the Ottawa Planning Commission approved a site plan Wednesday that requires the bottom section of a new recreation center to be covered with brick veneer. That requirement would cost an extra $110,000, said Jeff Curry, member of the ORC. That money would have to be taken from ORC programs. Despite its image, metal-skinned buildings can be attractive, he said. However, neighbors of the proposed center near Eisenhower School urged planners to stick to their original condition of brick veneer. Neighbor Bill Seckington said that his fellow neighbors are concerned that less expensive may translate into cheap-looking. That would affect the atmosphere and property values in the area, he said. The brick facing was one of several changes to the original site plan made by planners. OCR officials agreed to most of the changes. ORC director Therron Diechman said now that the site plan is approved, winning bidders will be selected and work will begin as quickly as possible.
Thursday, Aug. 26, 2:30 p.m.
