Earlier this month, Mayor Mark Sutcliffe unveiled a new action plan for the ByWard Market, one of the city’s top tourist draws.
The plan focuses on enhancing security, improving pedestrian spaces and revitalizing the main market building at 55 ByWard Square.
While business owners are largely supportive of these changes, there’s some concern over whether any of this will come to be.
In an interview with the Ottawa Compass, Deek Labelle, the owner of the Chateau Lafayette, the city’s oldest pub and a staple of the Market, said there’s optimism about the proposed improvements but she would like to see action first.
“They have been talking about this revitalization for 10 years now, they have put some money on the table, but there has been no plan to actually start doing the work,” said Labelle.
Labelle’s hardly alone.
David Mangano, a co-owner of The Grand, one of the Market’s most well-known restaurants, said support from the city for businesses has dried up and called on city hall to listen to those who have a stake in the area.
Still, he’s hopeful about what comes next.
“It’s good to see programs coming into place it’s long overdue,” said Mangando.
Sueling Ching, the CEO and president of the Ottawa Board Trade, said while there have been promises of revitalization in the past, the pandemic and its after-effects have slowed down plans.
But she credited the city for working collaboratively with key partners on this latest effort, pointing to efforts to reach out to the Ottawa police, social housing providers and the Royal mental health hospital to address issues such as chronic homelessness and mental health.
“I’m actually very proud of our civic and private sector leaders for working together, and I believe it’s a competitive edge and should give confidence to our business owners and to our community as a whole,” said Ching.
Coun. Stéphanie Plante, who represents the Market and surrounding neighbourhoods at city hall, said this latest plan has to go beyond platitudes and start delivering results.
“Residents and business owners have been patient. They deserve timelines and transparency, not just frameworks,” she said in a statement.
City council’s finance and corporate services committee will discuss the plan in March.
