Make Downtown Ottawa Robust

Establish a positioning strategy to enhance the Capital’s visibility internationally, beyond traditional visitor markets, develop and implement a bold marketing campaign aimed at promoting downtown as a place to live, work, play, invest, learn and visit, and target specific international publications for articles and features. 

Elevate the dialogue with Destination Canada to enhance the Capital’s profile and presence.

Amplify awareness through a two-year, centralized social media channel for Downtown events (Ottawa Alive!)

Work with BIAs and building owners to curate and activate existing ground floor spaces, including lobbies, for arts, cultural and retail uses.

Expand the mandate and support to BIAs to include business development and expansion.

Develop a construction mitigation strategy with funding to support areas and main streets impacted by large public realm and infrastructure projects.

Create a shared data platform to track retail growth and retention, inform planning, and match businesses with available retail space.

Develop a social procurement ‘source-local’ policy focused on local, small and BIPOC-owned enterprises, as a model for adoption by other key employers including building owners, cultural and post-secondary institutions and include Indigenous procurement policies and participation plans.

Work with post-secondary institutions to establish a satellite presence in Downtown and/or expand current downtown footprint by considering non-traditional space.

Leverage opportunities for student housing through adaptive re-use of commercial buildings.

Identify partnership opportunities between businesses and post-secondary institutions to advance skills training, talent retention and business incubators.

Establish a Downtown Cultural and Arts District or Corridor including consistent wayfinding, branding and promotion.

Implement and amplify the Nightlife Economy Strategy.

Organize and fund recurring arts-related programs to bring people Downtown off-hours and off-season.

Incentivize investments from public and private sectors for new outdoor performance infrastructure such as lighting, permanent stages, public restrooms and beautification.

Establish a Business Incubation District in the area bounded by Sparks, Bay, Gloucester, and Elgin Streets to revitalize and direct private sector investment in the Downtown including outreach and incentives for targeted sectors.

Work with City of Gatineau and other partners to link economic development initiatives in Downtown with regional growth opportunities.