$20M going to revitalize downtown Ottawa. Here are the details

As a part of the New Deal between Ontario and Ottawa, $20 million over the next three years will be invested in the downtown core to make it safer and attract tourists to the area.

According to a press release from the province on Dec. 4, the money is a part of the $543 million announced back in March, and will go to ensure Ottawa’s “unique character” and tourism attractions continue to make the nation’s capital a top destination.

“Through our New Deal, our government is taking action to ensure Ottawa is a premier destination for tourism and a safe, vibrant place for those who call it home,” Peter Bethlenfalvy, Minister of Finance, said at the Mayor’s annual breakfast. “Through our investments and partnership with the city, we’re making our national capital safer and helping attract visitors, jobs and investment for the long term.”

Some of the efforts include just over a million dollars for community safety initiatives by the Somerset West Community Health Centre, which supports people experiencing homelessness, substance use or mental health challenges.

William Street is set to become a permanent pedestrian-only roadway to enhance the ByWard Market for $11.8 million over the next three years. This will include marking ByWard Market Square into a seasonal street open to traffic and parking most of the year and pedestrian-only in the summer. Completion is expected by fall 2026.

Improved signage and other street-specific upgrades will get a $3.85 million boost. About one and a half million will go to Invest Ottawa to attract international and local companies to the downtown.

Promotion to bring people to the downtown and develop an entertainment district is receiving $1.35 million. It will launch in 2026 as a part of the 200th anniversary of founding Ottawa.

“As a leading jurisdiction for the research and development of critical technologies, Ottawa is an ideal destination for domestic and multinational companies looking to expand their operations,” Vic Fedeli, Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade, said.

New Deal details

In early November, Premier Doug Ford sat down with Mayor Mark Sutcliffe and said $88 million of the new funding deal would be invested in several initiatives.

The announcement in March from the New Deal notes the funding will be tailored to Ottawa’s economic recovery, homelessness, addressing crime and repairing roadways like Highway 174.

Comments from Ford piggybacked off the previous funding and allocated specifically $48 million over three years to address violent crime, mental health issues and substance use, particularly in the ByWard Market area.

There are seven initiatives that follow the city’s approval of the Public Safety Plan that will increase the number of uniformed OC Transpo special constables, implement community-based outreach programs and offer mental health support. It also establishes a police operation centre near the ByWard Market to address crime in the downtown core.