City seeking public input on ByWard Market makeover

The City of Ottawa is casting a wide net to gather public input on a major renewal project in the ByWard Market as the historic downtown district prepares to celebrate its 200th year.

A series of public consultations on the William Street and ByWard Market Square redesign begins Tuesday afternoon in Barrhaven, where residents will be asked for their feedback on certain aspects of the city's $129-million plan to "reimagine the ByWard Market and strengthen its role as a premier destination within the nation's capital for many years to come.

• ByWard businesses say it's their turn for a revamp

City council approved the larger plan in 2021. It's now seeking feedback on proposed designs for the streets and public spaces surrounding the central ByWard Market Building.

The project scope includes one block of William Street and ByWard Market Square between York and George streets, including the George Street West Plaza.

In addition to the "transformation of William Street as a pedestrian street," the renewal project includes "opportunities for commercial uses and animation," as well as road resurfacing, new lighting including an overhead catenary system, and new parking provisions.

Rideau-Vanier Coun. Stéphanie Plante, who represents the area, said some of the upgrades are simple, but long overdue.

"Believe it or not, we don't have basic things out here in the ByWard Market like [electrical] plugs. The ByWard Market was built 200 years ago. No one could have foreseen that everybody needs a charger these days."

ByWard Market Square will become "the heart of the outdoor public market" with new seating, trees and outdoor commercial attractions, turning it into an "outdoor living room," according to a news release.

Safety, security and accessibility

The project also takes safety, security and accessibility into account, according to the city. 

"The safety and security of visitors will be considered in the design of the public spaces to ensure that visitors feel safe and comfortable at all times of the day and night, including through the use of design principles such as the provision of clear sight lines, good lighting, and 'eyes on the street,'" according to the news release.

"I think people will want to talk very honestly and very frankly about the social disorder in the area," Plante said. "This area of Ward 12 has the most social services in Canada within a 600-metre stretch, and people are quite rightfully worried about that."

Several in-person public consultation sessions are planned for this month:

• June 17, 4:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at Minto Recreation Complex, 3500 Cambrian Rd.
• June 18, 4:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at François Dupuis Recreation Centre, 2260 Portobello Blvd.
• June 20, 4:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at Richcraft Recreation Complex-Kanata, 4101 Innovation Dr.
• June 19, 4:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., and June 21, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at ByWard Market Square (indoors or outdoors, depending on the weather).
• June 23, 4:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., Manotick Community Centre and Mike O'Neil Arena, 5572 Doctor Leach Dr.

A final public engagement session will be held online on June 24 from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Participants are asked to register for this session in advance. 

Plante said she's looking forward to hearing feedback from all corners of Ottawa.

"I think it's important for people in the suburbs to realize that ByWard is one of the biggest economic generators in the city," she said.

Construction on William Street is expected to begin next year, just in time for the 200th anniversary of the ByWard Market's founding in 2027.