Council unanimously approves ByWard Market Revitalization Project
Posted Jan 28, 2021 01:13:00 AM.
After two years of development, Ottawa’s city council approved across the board to move forward with the ByWard Market Revitalization Project.
The news comes Wednesday, after a report was filed that described the current state of Ottawa’s centre as “struggling.”
Councillor Diane Deans says it’s an important issue that affects the entire city.
“That, to me, is a very worrisome sign of the future health of the city,” she said. “If you kill your core, you kill your city. We need a strong plan.”
Expanding sidewalks and other pedestrian spaces, reaching traffic, adding more greenery and trees, better lighting and addition meeting spaces and benches, as well as the construction of a “destination building” at 70 Clarence St. are all part of the the plan to make Ottawa's bustling tourist destination shiny once again.
The market has been deteriorating over some time — in property value, liveability and tourism and other issues like crime are on the rise — Deans adds.
The project will cost the city about $129-million.
As of now, however, no funding is available. But Councillor Mathieu Fleury says it has the right criteria deserving of provincial and federal funding, which Mayor Jim Watson says will be the next step in the project moving forward.
The ByWard Market turns 200 in 2027, and Watson hopes the revitalization will be completed by that time.
