The ZIBI Waterfront City is a 34-acre master-planned community connecting downtown Ottawa, Ontario, to Gatineau, Quebec. Situated in a former industrial area, the property is being redeveloped for residential and commercial use. The vision is to connect vibrant urban spaces with the waterfront, bridging two cities with green living and accessibility.
The EXP team has provided environmental, geotechnical and hydrogeological consulting services across the Ontario and Quebec project sites. The project began with Phase I and Phase II Environmental Site Assessments (ESAs), designated substance surveys (DSS) and waste audits. The project then moved into detailed remediation planning and coordination during the demolition of buildings and the removal of contaminated soils. EXP’s team has tackled complex site conditions through geotechnical and hydrogeological assessments for heating and water infrastructure, underground parking garages and the construction of office and residential buildings.
Addressing challenges during development
Spanning Chaudière Island, Albert Island and the Gatineau shoreline, the ZIBI site was historically used for pulp and paper production, dating back to the early 1800s in Quebec and the 1850s in Ontario. In 1900, a devastating fire in Hull (now Gatineau) spread across the Ottawa River, destroying much of the area and leaving charred rubble buried on-site. This event led to a number of challenges during development.
At Block 211, a deep crevasse beneath the proposed building site required stabilization. The EXP project team addressed this by implementing a lean-mix concrete solution to enable a stable foundation for future development.
Critical management of hazardous materials, contaminated soil and groundwater monitoring
EXP’s work involved management of hazardous materials such as asbestos, lead and mold. The team oversaw removal of contaminants during demolition and advised on the reuse and recycling of demolition waste – while monitoring compliance with environmental and safety standards. This process included the installation of monitoring wells and ongoing post-remediation groundwater testing, culminating in the submission of records of site condition (RSC) to meet provincial requirements for land use changes.
Innovative and collaborative approaches for project success
Collaboration across EXP’s Ottawa and Gatineau offices has been instrumental in overcoming regulatory barriers unique to each province. EXP prepared bilingual deliverables, submitting remedial action plan reports in French for Quebec parcels to the MELCCFP and records of site condition (RSCs) in English to the MECP for Ontario parcels. This seamless integration of expertise in both official languages highlights EXP’s ability to deliver multidisciplinary solutions tailored to client needs. By collaborating daily with clients, contractors, architects, planners and government agencies, EXP has consistently delivered responsive and innovative approaches to keep the project on schedule and meet critical deadlines.
The ZIBI development aims to become one of the most sustainable communities in Canada, setting a benchmark for urban redevelopment. With approximately 5–10 years of work still anticipated, EXP’s solutions continue to drive the successful transformation of this landmark community.
Services
Environmental, Geotechnical, Hazardous Materials