By Sylvie Grenier
The City of Ottawa will extend street closings on Clarence and ByWard to accommodate the patios that took over those streets and sidewalks in the summer. The City has also announced that it will waive all fees in 2021 for patios located on the public right-of-way.
In order to accommodate the creation of more space for patios in the Market, parking spaces were removed and sections of Clarence and York streets and ByWard were closed to cars. The resulting traffic congestion created obstacles for people wishing to come to the market to shop and added to the woes of many small retailers, including food retailers, who were already suffering from the absence of clients.
It is to be expected that the City would take, or allow, measures to help stressed businesses during the pandemic. However, there is no getting around the fact that the result is an unsightly gaggle of patios under large tents and tarps in the most historic commercial centre of Ottawa. The hodgepodge of coverings, materials, designs and sizes on Clarence may be necessary under the circumstances, but it surely must not serve as a precedent or blueprint for the street in the post-pandemic era.
The stated position of the Lowertown Community Association is that it does not support the temporary or the permanent closure of Clarence Street as proposed in the ByWard Market Public Realm study. Furthermore, the Association has strong concerns that this temporary closure in response to the pandemic not serve as a blueprint for the future, particularly if this would lead to increased outdoor capacity for the bars along the street.
It would be great if the City could come to understand the enormous potential in branding the ByWard Market as a vibrant mixed-use neighbourhood offering the best and most varied food produce, the most unique Canadian boutiques and excellent dining experience within a heritage conservation district.
As the City moves forward with the rejuvenation of the ByWard Market precinct, it should require that the materials and design of any outdoor patios, permanent or temporary, properly reflect and preserve the character of our designated heritage district. Furthermore, it will need to ensure that future plans for street closures take into account the needs of all businesses.
Sylvie Grenier is the Byward Market Core Team Liaison on Board of Directors, Lowertown Community Association.