'We could be in a position to have shovels in the ground for these projects in 2025.'
It has been three years since city council laid out a blueprint to transform the ByWard Market. But if you thought the rejuvenation of the historic commercial and entertainment district had been forgotten, the city has news for you.
Work should begin next year on the first part of the $129-million ByWard Market Public Realm Plan on four priority areas identified by the city: William Street streetscaping; Market Square streetscaping; York Street; and the parking garage on Clarence Street. Amanda Mullins, manager of the ByWard Market public realm office, says the city has provided $2.6 million to begin a detailed design of the streetscaping, to set the stage for construction next year.
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“The important piece in terms of confirmed funding and what will be delivered in 2024, is detailed design. And we could be in a position to have shovels in the ground for these projects in 2025, subject to coordination with the ByWard Market District Authority on the impact on businesses,” Mullins said in an interview.
Which means the market will become a construction zone in the near future, and local businesses and patrons alike will have to adapt. But the fact that the plan is moving ahead comes as great news for businesses who see it as key to the market’s future and have been anxious about its implementation. “It’s a project to rejuvenate ByWard Market aesthetically and physically, and we want the plan to happen,” said David Mangano, co-owner of the GRAND Pizzeria & Bar.
The $129-million plan, approved by council in January 2021, is an ambitious makeover that stretches from George Street at Sussex Drive to St. Patrick Street, all the way to Dalhousie Street. It includes two gateways at Rideau Street and Sussex, and Sussex at St. Patrick/Murray streets. Other parts include the remaking of William Street; the reinvention of ByWard Market Square; a complete overhaul of George and York into mainly pedestrian streets; creation of a public plaza on York; the greening of the streets; and redeveloping the city parking garage into a public place. In essence, parking spots would be turned into new public spaces and squares, limiting the number of cars in the market.
All this will take 15 years to complete, according to Mullins. But the first phase council now wants to undertake will take five years. Notably, George Street, one of the market’s main thoroughfares, will not be part of the first phase of the project.
While action on the plan is an important development, funding hasn’t been locked in yet. When council approved the original plan three years ago, federal and provincial governments were seen as key sources of money. Partnerships with the private sector were also mooted. Apparently, that still remains the goal.
Even if the city doesn’t need to raise $129 million immediately, it needs substantially more than the $2.6 million it has provided so far for the priority projects it plans to complete over the next five years. For now, the city couldn’t or wouldn’t say how much the first part of the project will cost. But after the design work is done, a lot more money will be required before construction begins. Mullins says the city will be working with the ByWard Market District Authority to “review all funding streams, including those with senior levels of government” for the priority projects.
The scope of the city’s ambition for ByWard Market is breathtaking, especially going by the concept drawings accompanying the plan. But saying is one thing, doing is another. There is an awful lot of money to raise, but the fact that the city is talking about shovels in the ground next year would suggest confidence in getting some funding.
If the city can pull it off, the ByWard Market will become an even more iconic commercial, entertainment and tourist hub to grace the capital. Let’s hope the first part of the plan is completed in time for the ByWard Market’s 200-year anniversary in 2027.
Mohammed Adam is an Ottawa journalist and commentator. Reach him at nylamiles48@gmail.com
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Adam: At last, the ByWard Market renewal will soon be underway
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01.02.2024
'We could be in a position to have shovels in the ground for these projects in 2025.'
It has been three years since city council laid out a blueprint to transform the ByWard Market. But if you thought the rejuvenation of the historic commercial and entertainment district had been forgotten, the city has news for you.
Work should begin next year on the first part of the $129-million ByWard Market Public Realm Plan on four priority areas identified by the city: William Street streetscaping; Market Square streetscaping; York Street; and the parking garage on Clarence Street. Amanda Mullins, manager of the ByWard Market public realm office, says the city has provided $2.6 million to begin a detailed design of the streetscaping, to set the stage for construction next year.
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“The important piece in terms of confirmed funding and what will be delivered in 2024, is detailed design. And we could be in a position to have shovels in the ground for these........
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