By Marc Aubin
Lowertown has one of the richest histories in Ottawa. It is one of the two founding communities laid out by Colonel By, who managed the construction of the Rideau Canal. It all began in 1826 when By laid out the land for settlement. At the time, Lowertown was a cedar swamp and Uppertown (now Centretown) was a forest…
The City destroyed most of the original buildings in Lowertown East in the 1960s and ‘70s through “urban renewal.” Only 10% of the original heritage buildings remain between Cobourg Street and King Edward Avenue. For one reason or another, Lowertown East is not included in the Lowertown West Heritage Conservation District.
As a result, the heritage buildings left are in a bit of a city planning black hole and are not well protected.
Today, we’d like to tell you about a report that was released by residents concerned about the heritage buildings left in Lowertown East. The report tries to make a case for balancing new development and protecting the buildings left in that area. It also includes some good historical background about our neighbourhood and photos. It can be accessed at: www.bruyere.cathcartmuse.com/Heritage.pdf.
More on the history of our community will appear in future editions of the Echo. Stay tuned!