urbottawa
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Neighbourhood - ByWard Market
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urbottawa
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Adam: At last, the ByWard Market renewal will soon be underway
'We could be in a position to have shovels in the ground for these projects in 2025.'
Published Feb 01, 2024 • Last updated 1 day ago • 3 minute readIt 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.
“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
https://ottawacitizen.com/opinion/a...=Social&utm_source=Twitter#Echobox=1706820644
About time, but we'll have very little, kif anything done, by 2027.
pgagnon
Active Member
I'm so disappointed with how slow this is moving. Seriously, 3-4 years to get it approved, a full year to come up with a landscaping plan? And then another year or two for construction? How does adding lights, trees and planters take 5-7 years?
Badyouken
New Member
Maybe if CMHC had a catalogue of pre-approved trees and planters, it would go faster.
SweazyCavalry
Active Member
Critiques are well warranted. I guess adding cobble stone will take time, but the administrative burden the municipal government imposes on itself is frankly ludicrous.
urbottawa
Active Member
New Stackt Market stall on George street:
https://www.instagram.com/p/C75WZHmonrI/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading
https://www.instagram.com/p/C75WZHmonrI/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading
urbottawa
Active Member
Did it have to be white?
pgagnon
Active Member
Odd, and tiny. But at least the double height, glass and illuminated signage elevate it and makes it look pretty nice for a container.
Yeah, it's not bad. Just wish it was more colourful, or I guess just colourful.
urbottawa
Active Member
There's some art on the side that faces the bay - can't recall if its colourful or just black and white.
I've noticed they've really been expanding the amount of the mini shipping containers for vendors in the market, many of which have been painted by artists.
I've noticed they've really been expanding the amount of the mini shipping containers for vendors in the market, many of which have been painted by artists.
That's better!
ByWard Market gets $19M boost from province
The funding will transform William Street into a permanent pedestrian walkway and ByWard Market Square into a car-free zone during the summer.Published Dec 04, 2024 • Last updated 17 hours ago • 2 minute read
Staff Reporter, Ottawa Citizen
The ByWard Market is getting a nearly $20-million infusion as part of the province’s “new deal for Ottawa” announced last spring.
Ontario Finance Minister Peter Bethlenfalvy announced the funding Dec. 4 while meeting with Mayor Mark Sutcliffe at the regular Mayor’s Breakfast series. The funding includes $11.8 million over three years to make William Street into a permanent pedestrian walkway and ByWard Market Square into a car-free zone in the summer months. The work is expected to be finished in 2026.
Another $3.85 million is to be spent improving signage, $1.5 million to help attract new businesses and $1.35 million for marketing and promotion.
Additionally, the funding includes $1.05 million over three years for the Somerset Community Health Centre to support people experiencing homelessness, substance use or mental health challenges and to provide job training.
The Ottawa Board of Trade is also receiving $450,000 to establish a new “downtown vibrancy office” to “build business and investor confidence by implementing additional revitalization projects.”
The provincial money will be used to help fund the city’s 2020 ByWard Market Public Realm Plan, which aims to “re-green” the market.
The key goal of that plan, which was developed with the ByWard Market BIA, residents and other stakeholders, is “to shift the perception of the Market from a vehicular-oriented space to one where pedestrians come first.”
According to the announcement on Dec. 4, the area will only be closed to vehicles in summer, with vehicles and parking allowed at other times.
In a statement, Bethlenfalvy said the investment would make the city safer and help attract visitors, businesses and investment to the national capital.
“This investment of $20 million from the provincial government is a boost to our revitalization efforts in the market,” Sutcliffe said in a statement. “This important funding will enhance the safety, vibrancy and economic growth of our downtown core.”
ByWard Market gets $19M boost from province
As part of the "new deal for Ottawa" the province will provide funding to pedestrianize parts of the ByWard Market.
ottawacitizen.com
Wow...this is not going to help revitalize the Byward Market. Just another nail in the coffin.
From CTV News:
Motorists will need to pay to park on city streets in ByWard Market, Little Italy during the evenings starting this fall
By Josh Pringle
Published: May 13, 2025 at 4:00AM EDT
A parking payment machine is seen in Ottawa's ByWard Market on Friday, April 25, 2025. (CTV News Ottawa)
Drivers will soon have to pay to park on city streets during the evenings in the ByWard Market and in parts of Little Italy and the Glebe.
A City of Ottawa report recommends extending the paid parking periods at on-street parking spots to weekday and weekend evenings and on Saturdays and Sundays in high-demand areas starting in September, to encourage vehicle turnover in popular areas.
The changes will result in $3 million in additional parking meter revenue a year, according to the city.
Currently, motorists must pay to park until 5:30 p.m. on weekdays in 18 of 20 zones across the city, and on Saturdays in 10 zones, including in the ByWard Market, Glebe and Vanier areas.
A report for the Public Works and Infrastructure Committee meeting on May 20 recommends extending paid on-street parking into the evenings and on Sundays in areas where demand is at 80 per cent for parking spots.
Under the plan, motorists will be required to pay for on-street parking until 9 p.m. on weekdays and weekend evenings in the ByWard Market and parts of Little Italy, and paid on-street parking will be extended to Sunday in the ByWard Market, Little Italy and the Glebe. Paid parking will be introduced in the downtown core on weekends.
Here is a look at the proposed areas for extended parking hours on evenings and weekends:
“The purpose of paid parking is to encourage turnover which has the effect of making more parking available at any given point in time,” staff said. “This has the potential for a number of benefits. For example, visitors will have more choices and experience less frustration when trying to find parking at busier times. More available parking will also lead to less ‘cruising’ for parking, which reduces traffic and the resulting impacts.”
Staff say the recommendations for paid on-street parking changes come after a review of parking occupancy data during the spring and fall of 2023 and 2024.
“The data showed that in several paid areas of the city, parking demand was high at different times, including evenings and weekends when there is currently no paid parking,” the report says. “This suggests a lack of available parking, which has negative implications on businesses and the community as a whole.”
A pay parking sign on a pole on Bank St. in Ottawa. (CTV News Ottawa)
Coun. Tim Tierney, the chair of the Public Works and Infrastructure Committee, told CTV News Ottawa last month the extended parking hours will be “very targeted,” and designed to encourage turnover in parking spots.
“It’s really to avoid people parking a vehicle and then disappearing for seven hours, where that spot could be used by someone that wants to come down to a nice restaurant, but they only need it for a couple of hours,” Tierney said. “It’s really working to make sure that businesses see more people come through their doors.”
Staff note most major Canadian cities charge for parking “to some extent” in the evening and on Sunday.
The new evening and weekend parking charges will begin on September 3, with staff saying it will be phased in over two or three weeks due to the signage and programming changes required.
As part of the proposed changes, parking fees for on-street parking permits in the Rideau (parking on Rideau Street and adjacent side streets east of King Edward Avenue) and War Museum (parking on Wellington Street between Portage Bridge and Vimy Place) will be lifted on Saturdays and Sundays due to a lack of demand.
Parking on streets in Vanier will be free on Saturday and Sunday, according to the report. Motorists must currently pay at on-street parking spots in the Vanier area on Saturday.
If approved, paid parking hours will begin at 8:30 a.m. on weekdays and 10 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday. Paid parking will end at 5:30 p.m. in areas with free weekday and weekend evening parking and 9 p.m. where there is paid on-street parking in evenings.
“The end time of 9 p.m. was selected to promote turnover in the busiest hours while also allowing for flexibility when it comes to people who require longer stays during the evening/at night,” staff said.
The City of Ottawa expects the changes to parking periods and extended hours will result in $3 million in new revenues a year.
Staff say motorists will have to pay to park in the Richmond West zone until 9 p.m.
Paid on-street parking will also be in effect in the Churchill, Richmond West, Wellington West and Hintonburg areas on Saturdays and Sundays.
Councillors will debate the recommendations during the May 22 meeting of the Public Works and Infrastructure Committee.
From CTV News:
Motorists will need to pay to park on city streets in ByWard Market, Little Italy during the evenings starting this fall
By Josh Pringle
Published: May 13, 2025 at 4:00AM EDT
A parking payment machine is seen in Ottawa's ByWard Market on Friday, April 25, 2025. (CTV News Ottawa)
Drivers will soon have to pay to park on city streets during the evenings in the ByWard Market and in parts of Little Italy and the Glebe.
A City of Ottawa report recommends extending the paid parking periods at on-street parking spots to weekday and weekend evenings and on Saturdays and Sundays in high-demand areas starting in September, to encourage vehicle turnover in popular areas.
The changes will result in $3 million in additional parking meter revenue a year, according to the city.
Currently, motorists must pay to park until 5:30 p.m. on weekdays in 18 of 20 zones across the city, and on Saturdays in 10 zones, including in the ByWard Market, Glebe and Vanier areas.
A report for the Public Works and Infrastructure Committee meeting on May 20 recommends extending paid on-street parking into the evenings and on Sundays in areas where demand is at 80 per cent for parking spots.
Under the plan, motorists will be required to pay for on-street parking until 9 p.m. on weekdays and weekend evenings in the ByWard Market and parts of Little Italy, and paid on-street parking will be extended to Sunday in the ByWard Market, Little Italy and the Glebe. Paid parking will be introduced in the downtown core on weekends.
Here is a look at the proposed areas for extended parking hours on evenings and weekends:
- ByWard Market, King Edward, Besserer and King Edward areas: Paid on-street parking extended to weekday and weekend evenings and to Sunday (paid parking currently in effect on Saturday)
- Little Italy South (paid parking on Preston Street south of Highway 417 as well as on adjacent streets): Paid on-street parking extended to 9 p.m. on weekday and weekend evenings and to Saturday and Sunday.
- Glebe South (Bank Street and adjacent side streets between Holmwood Avenue and First Avenue): Paid on-street parking extended to 9 p.m. on weekday evenings and to Sunday (paid parking currently in effect on Saturday)
- Downtown (between Bronson Avenue and the Rideau Canal, north of Gilmour Street to Parliament Hill): Paid on-street parking extended to Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
- Glebe North (Bank Street and immediately adjacent side streets between Hwy. 417 and First Avenue): Paid on-street parking extended to Sunday (paid parking currently in effect on Saturday). Parking will remain free during the evening.
“The purpose of paid parking is to encourage turnover which has the effect of making more parking available at any given point in time,” staff said. “This has the potential for a number of benefits. For example, visitors will have more choices and experience less frustration when trying to find parking at busier times. More available parking will also lead to less ‘cruising’ for parking, which reduces traffic and the resulting impacts.”
Staff say the recommendations for paid on-street parking changes come after a review of parking occupancy data during the spring and fall of 2023 and 2024.
“The data showed that in several paid areas of the city, parking demand was high at different times, including evenings and weekends when there is currently no paid parking,” the report says. “This suggests a lack of available parking, which has negative implications on businesses and the community as a whole.”
Coun. Tim Tierney, the chair of the Public Works and Infrastructure Committee, told CTV News Ottawa last month the extended parking hours will be “very targeted,” and designed to encourage turnover in parking spots.
“It’s really to avoid people parking a vehicle and then disappearing for seven hours, where that spot could be used by someone that wants to come down to a nice restaurant, but they only need it for a couple of hours,” Tierney said. “It’s really working to make sure that businesses see more people come through their doors.”
Staff note most major Canadian cities charge for parking “to some extent” in the evening and on Sunday.
The new evening and weekend parking charges will begin on September 3, with staff saying it will be phased in over two or three weeks due to the signage and programming changes required.
As part of the proposed changes, parking fees for on-street parking permits in the Rideau (parking on Rideau Street and adjacent side streets east of King Edward Avenue) and War Museum (parking on Wellington Street between Portage Bridge and Vimy Place) will be lifted on Saturdays and Sundays due to a lack of demand.
Parking on streets in Vanier will be free on Saturday and Sunday, according to the report. Motorists must currently pay at on-street parking spots in the Vanier area on Saturday.
Changes in parking hours
The report also recommends changes to the on-street parking hours in all commercial areas to harmonize the start and end times. Currently, weekday daytime parking hours start at 8 a.m., 8:30 a.m. or 9 a.m., depending on the area.If approved, paid parking hours will begin at 8:30 a.m. on weekdays and 10 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday. Paid parking will end at 5:30 p.m. in areas with free weekday and weekend evening parking and 9 p.m. where there is paid on-street parking in evenings.
“The end time of 9 p.m. was selected to promote turnover in the busiest hours while also allowing for flexibility when it comes to people who require longer stays during the evening/at night,” staff said.
The City of Ottawa expects the changes to parking periods and extended hours will result in $3 million in new revenues a year.
Wellington West/Westboro
When the city introduces paid on-street parking in the Wellington West and Westboro area later this year, there will be evening paid parking zones.Staff say motorists will have to pay to park in the Richmond West zone until 9 p.m.
Paid on-street parking will also be in effect in the Churchill, Richmond West, Wellington West and Hintonburg areas on Saturdays and Sundays.
Councillors will debate the recommendations during the May 22 meeting of the Public Works and Infrastructure Committee.