By Liz Bernstein, President
Isn’t this such a gorgeous time of year in Lowertown? It’s beautiful throughout the city, but we are fortunate with such proximity to the rivers, with many parks, trees and greenspace. On my morning run by the river, each day I see new leaves unfurling, and hear more birds and ducks. There are so many new beginnings that still seem to astound each year, and I feel such possibilities for change.
I had a similar feeling when I stood among the 1,300 who gathered on April 27 at Aberdeen Pavillion to hear Janette Sadik-Khan, former Transportation Commissioner of New York talk about the possibilities of urban transformation for safer, more livable streets, and participate in a Streetfight Fair of with 30 organizations from across the city. As one cycling enthusiast said, “it felt like I was in a megachurch” – among a community of neighbours with a common vision and common purpose, eager to contribute to building a city of streets where we can walk, bike, skateboard, wheelchair, bus, train, and gather in public spaces.
Earlier that day, Councillor Fleury, Mayor Watson, Minister Meilleur and Minister McKenna had joined Sadik-Khan to pledge support for revitalizing the ByWard Market. On May 3, the Finance & Economic Development Committee approved the plan, and on May 11 Council unanimously approved the plan. It includes $1 million for the new George Street Plaza. As Minister Meilleur said, “We’ve waited for this for a long time.” The plan also includes a recommendation that the city undertake proactive bylaw enforcement “to better regulate restaurants acting as bars or nightclubs”. The LCA will work with Councillor Fleury’s office and city staff to design an implementation plan.
The Revitalization Plan is a great step in the right direction, but we can do better. Now we must urge Council do go a step further, to improve the plans and call for matching provincial and federal infrastructure funding of $10 million to be allocated to streetscaping and public realm to create a truly dynamic, pedestrian-friendly public space. As Minister McKenna said, “reimagining public spaces is so important. There is a real opportunity here. We look forward to hearing more and seeing how we can be involved.” It’s up to us and the City to accept that invitation to submit a request, and prioritize our Market in discussions on infrastructure spending.
Media from across the city carried our appeal that Ottawa do for ByWard Market for Canada’s birthday in 2017 what New York City did for Times Square.
Just a few days later, we celebrated what would have been Jane Jacobs’ 100th birthday with Jane’s Walk in Ottawa. Lowertown residents participated on several walks and led many, including walks on Rideau St. and “How to do a Walkability Audit”. Peter Barry Padolsky led a walk through ByWard Market, informing us of the history and heritage, the planning decisions, showing us Freeman St. in the middle of The Bay, and Clarendon Court renovations. Once again I felt the sense of possibility, as 100 people came to learn about the ByWard Market and hundreds of people across the city got together to walk through communities, learn and share history, heritage, and discuss public space and community uses where we work, live and play. People care deeply about our community and our city. Ottawa is clearly part of the urban revolution.
Sadly, the ByWard BIA (the organization that represents businesses in the area) seems out of touch with this local movement. At the Finance & Economic Development meeting, they stated that improving pedestrian elements in the market will hurt business: “how can we carry potatoes?” When Jane’s Walk gathered at the Market Building, with 100 people keen to appreciate the Market, the Byward BIA were upset with the crowd, urging us to move, as we may have stood in front of a stand for 5 minutes. It seems to me both the comment about pedestrians hurting business and urging Jane’s Walk participants to move on were contrary to the interests of their members, the market businesses. We hope to improve our outreach efforts so the BIA, the businesses and standholders appreciate how Ottawans are changing: with complete streets, with LRT and with increased cycling and walking, urban dwellers have different demands.
We’re no longer in the suburbs of the 50s. We walk, bike and take transit to shop, we have backpacks and grocery trolleys and we buy in smaller quantities, but we shop and spend in our communities. As Janette Sadik-Khan put it, “Cars don’t shop, people do”.
Despite the groundswell in Ottawa, myths clearly persist and there is little understanding among our business leaders about walkability and shopping today. We need to think creatively about raising awareness. Perhaps a “bike and walk to shop” month? We welcome your ideas as we roll up our sleeves and get to the hard work of making a more walkable, enjoyable market, and Lowertown.
Last but not least, our AGM is June 13 and we hope you will come out to join your neighbours for our meeting and silent auction and share food, drinks and conversation with us. I’d like to take this moment to thank all of the board members and committee members who have worked so hard all year and contributed so much to improving our community. I know many will be taking a rest or moving on to other endeavors, and that you join me in thanking them. Perhaps you are a next committee or board member? Contact us: info@lowertown-basseville-ca. I hope to see you at our AGM at Jules Morin Fieldhouse June 13 at 5:30.