Residents of the west end's Queensway Terrace North (QTN) community are less than impressed with the latest city proposal to extend the west Transitway through the south side of Roman Ave.

This option, which replaced the previous idea of a tunnel beneath Connaught Ave., would require the removal of 25 homes on the street.

At this month's Bay ward meeting, held each month to update residents of goings on withhin the community, members of the QTN community association's executive made their feelings clear. Members, including president Henry Swiech, handed out bright yellow papers, reading "Save Roman Ave." and identifying what Mr. Swiech called a "correction" to meeting notes by Coun. Alex Cullen. After handing out the notices, Mr. Swiech said that he and the association were "boycotting" the meeting, where the city's transit options were discussed.

The issue came to a head following a meeting on March 17, where Coun. Cullen and city engineer Steven Stoddard explained the most recent plan to extend the west Transitway and connect to the southwest Transitway at Lincoln Fields.

Mr. Swiech said last week that during that meeting, he felt Coun. Cullen had little compassion for the families who would be uprooted under this plan.

"The people, residents, are emotionally stressed by this event" Mr Swiech said. "It was the worst presentation presented by (Coun.) Alex Cullen in our community. It's a devastating proposal"

Mr Swiech said he felt Coun Cullen's notes were "very vague" in reference to the expropriation involved with this proposal. He said that by handing out the notices, he was letting the community know of the "crisis" on Roman Ave., and bringing attention to the city's plan.

"We consider 25 homes being expropriated and demolished a crisis," Mr. Swiech said. "And also (we were) boycotting that meeting because it was a Transitway presentation, and the Transitway's going to go through our community, taking out those 25 houses."

"So we weren't going to sit there knowing that this is going to happen, so we were boycotting that as well."

Coun. Cullen said he's "a little disappointed" by the reaction of the QTN association's executive and feels that, "instead of shooting the messenger, they would be wanting to work with their elected representative to get the best solution for their community"

"I've worked well with them in the past; I worked with them on the Queensway Terrace North intensification study, in protecting the Pinecrest Creek corridor from development," the councillor said. "I think once people begin to look at how best to deal with this issue at committee and council that we'll be talking again"

Mr Swiech said he did speak to Coun. Cullen at the Bay ward meeting, but was not satisfied with the response.

"He said the correction was incorrect, which I disputed," said Mr Swiech. "His argument was, 'Well, it's possible it's going to happen but it hasn't happened yet because it hasn't gone to city council yet for a vote.'"

"Well, it's the only option going to the city's transportation committee in May."

Mr. Swiech continued. "There are no options. So it's the only option being considered by the city. So it's not an either or, it's this is it. Take it or leave it."

Coun. Cullen said that while he can understand why the residents are upset and why the community association is doing its part to defend them, the city's need to complete the Transitway is a top municipal priority.

"It's going to be a significat challenge in dealing with the city's need to connect the west Transitway to the southwest Transitway that goes through Lincoln Fields," he said. "But obviously we want to ensure that the concerns of Roman Ave residents are going to be heard in this process."

He said that the original plan, which was developed in 1994, depended on the province contributing 60% of the funding. That's since changed, he said, and the funding responsibilities lies on the city's shoulders. And though he said it's "unfortunate" that a project of this nature sometimes requires the removal of homes to access needed land, it's not something the city takes for granted.

"It's not done lightly" Coun Cullen said "The city's actions are governed by the Expropriations Act, which does require fair market compensation. But I mean the Transitway is a vital element in our transit system. It handles hundreds of thousands of passengers and I think that most people looking at the Queensway during the morning rush hour will understand why the Transitway needs to be extended out west towards Kanata." During the March 17 meeting, some residents questioned why the city would not consider relocating the OC Transpo garage on Queensview Dr., instead of relocating 25 families. Coun. Cullen said that's simply not an option. "It's a reality," Coun Cullen explained "To replace the bus garage would be in some tens of millions of dollars, and it's a question of how much money taxpayers are willing to pay. It would be more expensive than the Connaught tunnel alternative."

Roman Ave., a quiet and family-oriented street in the Queensway Terrace North community, could be destroyed if a Transitway extension proposal goes through and 25 homes are expropriated.

In either late May or early June, Coun Cullen said the staff report would go to transit committee, seeking permission to complete an environmental assessment (EA), the first phase of any project of this degree. At that point, he said, the community would be consulted, as the EA process is required to examine "all reasonable alternatives." He said that right now, the chances of finding another reasonable alternative are pretty grim, but any suggestions from the community will be welcomed and examined.

But with the Roman Ave. option estimated at $70 million - including the cost of expropriating homes along the proposed extension, compared to the $138 million estimited to create the Connaught Ave tunnel, he said. "think that tells the story right there."

"There is limited space on the Queensway," he added. "We have to connect to Pinecrest on the north side of the Queensway, because that's where the transitway is. We have the Pinecrest bus garage, a multimillion-dollar facility on Queensview (Dr.). The balance of the route along the Queensway from the OC Transpo garage to Pinecrest Rd. has been already expropriated."

Mr Swiech, however, said even approving the EA would be going too far with this project. He said he believes this option should have never come forward and that his elected representative, Coun Cullen, should have vetoed it from the start.

Instead of examining this "devastating" proposal any further, Mr. Swiech said he would like to see the city come up with another option that would not require residents to relocate.

"Come up with a new proposai that's people friendly," he said, adding that he feels the city councillor and staff have forgotten the "human side" to this issue.

"We want a community friendly, zero footprint solution to the connection between Lincoln Fields and Pinecrest. This is not an option that we're going to accept."

As president of the assodation, Mr. Swiech said he's heard from a number of residents who are "emotionally upset" about the proposal.

"No one has come forward and said 'oh' clapping their hands, saying 'It's about time the city came to expropriate my house. I'm all for it," he said "That just hasn't happened."

Coun. Cullen said that he's made a commitment to the residents on Roman Ave., that should council opt to move forward with the EA. he will have a poli- cy in place to purchase the homes from any residents wanting to move before the process goes any further.

"So if I get this in place in May/June, then as we go forward, this is to help out those folks who may not want to wait around until 2010 to find out the council decision and who should not be penalized because of the uncertainty over the future of Roman Ave." he said.

But for any residents crossing their fingers that the Roman Ave option will be dropped. Coun, Cullen said it's not very likely they'll be able to stay,

"I think the reality that unfortunately people have to accept is the need to complete the Transitway system," he said. "The challenge we're facing is the cost of the Connaught tunnel, versus any other reasonable alternative."

The city previously purchased and demolished homes along DuMaurier Ave. in order to complete the Transitway extension between Bayshore and Pinecrest Rd.