ByWard Market Plan: Too Much of Nothing

Here’s a release below on Ottawa City Council approving the ByWard Market plan that is slated to cost $200 million.

It emphasizes physical solutions such as revitalizing the ByWard Market building rather than dealing with the real problems … homelessness, mental health, crime and drug addiction.

The plan makes it look as though council has an effective method of dealing with the market when it does not. But then appearances are much more important than successful plans during an election year.

Does the plan address the problems of the market? Have you heard people complaining about the state of the ByWard Market building? Have you heard people complaining about needing limits on parking?

Have you heard people complaining about social problems in the market? Yes. This plan doesn’t successfully address those problems. That’s the whole point.

The ByWard Market plan is politics over efficacy in an election year … all for $200 million.

Ken Gray

—

Below is a release from the city on the plan’s approval at council:

—

Council unanimously approved a revitalization framework and coordinated redevelopment program for the ByWard Market. This responds to long-standing Council direction and advances the implementation of the Council-approved ByWard Market Public Realm Plan.

The framework aims to create a vibrant, welcoming, and inclusive historic market district with five interrelated areas of focus:

• a destination market for all
• cultural identity
• safety and well-being
• welcoming routes and points of entry
• long-term public realm transformation

As part of this work, the City will convert the 70 Clarence Street garage to three-hour pay and display parking, 8:30 am to 7:30 pm weekdays and Saturdays, to help maintain convenient access while longer-term parking and mobility strategies are developed. These strategies include enhanced transit service, digital parking guidance, event shuttles, and expanded bicycle parking.

The redevelopment program puts this vision into action through a district-wide placemaking initiative that supports daily use, seasonal programming, and winter-friendly activities. It looks to improve access and mobility in the ByWard Market. This includes the rehabilitation and re-imagination of 55 ByWard Market Square to unlock its full potential as a vibrant, accessible, food-focused civic anchor that supports local vendors, community programming, and year-round activity. It would include rebuilding the municipal garage at 70 Clarence Street, with a potential cultural and arts hub with active ground-floor uses, potential residential units, and integrated parking solutions with the option of maintaining a parking facility on-site. The York Street Plaza (between Sussex Avenue and William Street) would be transformed into a flexible, people-centred civic plaza, capable of supporting daily use, cultural programming, winter amenities, and major events, while improving safety, accessibility, and connectivity.

The City will implement coordinated initiatives that strengthen frontline resources, support proactive interventions, expand social service supports, and create inclusive public spaces. Enhanced social supports such as the Unsheltered Homelessness Outreach Model, a collaborative multi-partner approach, will strengthen coordination with community partners to better support residents experiencing homelessness. Physical design improvements along the Rideau–Sussex Gateway and at Rideau Station will enhance safety and user experience. Enhancements to lighting, public art, cleaning, safety features, and temporary activations will improve vibrancy and mark the Market’s 200th anniversary.

Immediate steps include:

• $2.7 million for the design phase of 55 ByWard Market Square.
• $4.5 million for the design phase of the York Street Plaza.
• $200,000 to implement a parking replacement and access strategy.
• An options analysis for 70 Clarence Street, including a destination building concept, potential housing and maintaining a parking facility at the site.

For You:

Oh Come On, Jeff Leiper: GRAY

The Market: Scenic Views Of Crack Addicts

An Ottawa ‘Solution’ To An Ottawa Problem: GRAY

Bookmark The Bulldog, click here