The owner of a block of Ottawa land where the Greyhound bus station currently exists has requested the city re-zone it to allow a potential condominium development.

The Catherine Street bus station in Centretown, just north of the Queensway and west of Kent Street, could become two condominium towers — with room for some 450 resident units — as well as stacked townhouses and space for businesses.

But the landowner, Vancouver-based developer Stewart Robertson, said building the condo complex is his "contingency plan" for the property.

"We continue to negotiate with Greyhound … inviting them to stay," Robertson said, adding the company currently leases the building month-by-month.

"I hope they stay. If they go it's simply prudent business to have a backup plan."

Somerset Ward councillor Diane Holmes confirmed the city is considering the re-zoning plan, which she said is a big one.

"The site is the whole city block — a good big city block that the bus station sits on," Holmes said.

Former mayor's idea prompted bid

Last year former Ottawa mayor Larry O'Brien had hoped to move the bus station closer to Ottawa's rail station on Trembley Road, near the Queensway and the Vanier Parkway. O'Brien envisioned a major transit hub for the city at the site.

Robertson said that scare prompted him to start the process of requesting the city re-zone his land.

"It's an expensive process," Robertson said.

"Did I want to go through this? No, I didn't. Doing a $150 million development is not for the faint of heart, and is not a guaranteed proposition," he said.

Robertson said regardless of what happens with his re-zoning bid, Greyhound can stay on the property until it decides to leave.