Make Downtown Ottawa Resilient

Identify public-private partnership models to fund and attract uses Downtown.

Advocate for federal, provincial and municipal funding to realize this Action Agenda. Explore the potential to develop a Community Improvement Plan for Downtown with incentives for improvements to existing buildings, business retention, building retrofits, climate resilience and new uses.

Empower the City to use a portion of Downtown parking revenue and/or parking enforcement revenue to re-invest in public realm improvements by amending the Municipal Act or establishing a Parking Authority.

Federal and Provincial governments to fund the transit budget gap to maintain and improve service levels and build back consumer confidence in the transit system.

Identify ways to incentivize transit and boost transit ridership during periods of low ridership.

Work with OC Transpo and employers to pilot an Employee Transit Pass to encourage transit use and offer a predictable monthly revenue source for transit (similar to UPass at Ottawa U and Carleton).

City of Ottawa and Ville de Gatineau to identify and support mobility links between Ottawa and Gatineau Downtowns.

Prioritize active transportation investments outlined in the Transportation Master Plan for the Downtown where most active transportation happens.

Initiate a Pilot Study to convert one-way streets to two-way in key areas of the Downtown to enhance commercial opportunities and to increase public safety and comfort for pedestrians.

Create a new downtown-focused “Capital Works” Initiative and engage international creative sectors in design competitions/expressions of interest for small-scale, public realm improvements that are easily implementable, low-cost, scalable and all-seasons, unique to downtown environments, and ongoing. 

With creative partners, expand the City’s mural program and create additional opportunities to add light, colour, and art to blank walls.

Work with the City, building owners and design professionals to undertake a design charette to explore a renewed vision and programming for the current Central Library building to consider incubator or cultural uses and create a ‘beacon’ in the Downtown core.

Work with the National Capital Commission to ensure there is deliberate architectural direction or guidance provided for new buildings on federally owned lands at key locations.

Create a Public Realm Implementation Plan, including recommendations from the Central and East Downtown Core Secondary Plan, Complete Streets Framework and Downtown Ottawa Urban Design Strategy.

Identify and secure resources for a Downtown Placemaking Fund to invest in climate-adaptive public realm improvements.

Work with the municipalities of Ottawa and Gatineau, the National Capital Commission, Business Improvement Areas and other partners to champion and harmonize initiatives and processes for revitalization and secure five-year sustainable funding.

Prioritize the implementation of ByWard Market and Sparks Street Public Realm Plans as models and leverage proximity to Wellington Street, Centre Block and Block 2 redevelopment.

Work with libraries and other civic institutions (NAC, post-secondary) to activate right-of-way (ROW) and under-utilized public space.

Prioritize investments in infrastructure and asset management plans to promote greening, aesthetic benefits and enhance natural ecosystems.

Explore additional district energy opportunities to support electrification and unlock development potential.

Implement an Environmental Tax Credit for embodied carbon for adaptive re-use of building vs. demolition based on a per-square-footage GHG calculation.

Work with downtown partners to encourage building maintenance, cleanliness of right-of-way, public realm interventions, and quality architecture and urban design.