By Mike Spelay
A public consultation, tentatively scheduled for February, should give Ottawa a better idea of the future of Sparks Street, says the National Capital Commission.
But some say that the consultation isn’t happening soon enough. After purchasing the 10-storey building at 100 Sparks St. and agreeing to buy the commercial property at 134 Sparks St., critics are asking the NCC to make public their plans before spending any more money.
“All that we know now is that their salaries will continue while the merchants’ won’t,” says Jack Cook, owner of Canada’s Four Corners on Sparks Street.
The NCC received an extra $40 million from the federal government for the project.
The NCC went public Jan. 18 for the first time since the purchase to discuss its plans for the revitalization of Sparks Street.
“The NCC’s objective for the Sparks Street Mall is to make this area a place where people can live, work and play and where visitors can witness a vibrant community,” says Marcel Beaudry, chairman of the NCC.
“We are responding to the public, we have two more series of public consultation,” says Diane Dupuis, director of communications for the NCC. “Let’s wait and see what we present. This isn’t an ordinary city street. This is Sparks Street.”
But some business owners on Sparks Street are tired of being kept in suspense. Among the ideas being considered by the NCC is the demolition of buildings along the south side of the street, between Metcalfe Street and O’Connor Street to make way for residential buildings, shops, office space and public open spaces.
“We came here for a reason,” says Kevin Charlebois, president of Queensway Investment Counsel and a tenant of 100 Sparks St., “we like the space here. We’re on the third year of a 10-year lease. If they do something, I hope it’s slow.”
Some key politicians have also expressed their dissatisfaction with the NCC.
Mayor Jim Watson has asked for a parliamentary review of the NCC’s mandate, stating in a letter to Sheila Copps, minister of Canadian heritage that “the NCC shows complete disregard and contempt for taxpayers and local elected officials.”
Stop The Metcalfe Nonsense (the STeMN coalition), who successfully lobbied last year against widening Metcalfe Street, held a press conference on Jan. 19 to address their concerns.
“A plan for demolition is not a plan for revitalization,” said Somerset city councillor Elisabeth Arnold, a member of the STeMN coalition.
Store owners along Sparks Street are also worried about the impact the NCC may have on their businesses, if they choose to demolish the buildings that they have purchased.
“We’re trying to build it up and get the customers,” says Moustafa Alhajjar, manager of Marrough Shawarma at 134 Sparks St.
“To have to start again, start all over. It makes me mad. They should tell people.”
But not all Sparks Street merchants are upset about the plans.
Herb Gosewich, owner of Ritchie’s Sports-Fan Apparel Shop at 134 Sparks St. feels this project is progressive.
“Anything will help this street; it’s the world’s worst street,” he says. “You could launch a cannon and not hit anyone. No doubt, this area needs something done badly.”
The NCC agrees the street needs help. Despite its proximity to Parliament Hill and its downtown location, Sparks boast both a high business turnover and an absent nightlife.
“It can be as active and dynamic as the Byward Market,” says Dupuis.