The Ottawa Board of Trade and the Canadian Urban Institute have unveiled the “Downtown Ottawa Action Agenda” to revitalized Canada’s capital and its surrounding region.
Under this initiative, Downtown Ottawa will aim to add 40,000 new residential units and create 50,000 jobs by 2034. The plan proposes creating a joint $500 million fund to kick-start a series of projects including enhancements to the public realms of Sparks Street and ByWard Market and the establishment of a new Business Incubation District and an Arts/Culture Corridor.
The plan will also establishing financial mechanisms for ongoing downtown investment while making the downtown area more accessible through enhanced transit options. It will implement focused programs to address social issues including homelessness, addiction and mental health, and it will include marketing efforts to boost economic activity and enhance downtown’s image.
“This is more than a plan – it’s a renaissance for Ottawa’s downtown,” said Sueling Ching, president and CEO of the Ottawa Board of Trade. “By fostering a live-work-play environment, we are not only boosting the local economy but also creating a culturally rich, inclusive, and accessible downtown for all to enjoy, and a capital city all Canadians can be proud of.”
The action plan was developed by the Canadian Urban Institute, in partnership with the City of Ottawa, Ottawa Tourism, Invest Ottawa, BOMA Ottawa and the National Capital Commission. Ottawa Mayor Mark Sutcliffe added, “We’re taking a Team Ottawa approach to our downtown. By coming together as a community, we’re not just revitalizing our core, but also setting the stage for a dynamic and resilient future for all Ottawa residents.”
Photo: Stephen Waycott / iStock
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