By Kelly Bullock
Centretown residents could see a revamping of Bank Street once a plan is taken to the City of Ottawa, according to the Bank Street Business Improvement Area.
Gerry LePage, executive director of the Bank Street BIA, said the association is developing a project that could see infrastructure changes and an overall “theme” for the area.
“We want to get a handle on who is living in the area,” said LePage. “We want to reflect the changing demographic of the area.”
The street is a high-traffic area, according to LePage, with many bus routes, pedestrians, cars and trucks using it as a major route. Some Bank Street businesses say the change is long overdue, and a facelift is needed to help increase business and the reputation of the area.
“There doesn’t seem to be much unity in the community, and Bank Street is known for being a slummy area,” said Michelle Feggans-Scratch, an employee at Ginn Photographique on Bank Street. “I think the money could be used to make the buildings look prettier, but they’ll have a tough time cleaning up after a bunch of drunks.”
For Eldar Islamovic, manager of Bridgehead Coffeehouse, cleanliness in the area is a major concern he would like to see addressed.LePage said because the municipal government has been “preoccupied” with the impending budget for months, the association hasn’t formally approached the city with a proposal.
He said once the budget is approved on March 24, the BIA will begin consulting members of the community, including businesses, consumers and residents, as to what changes they feel should be made.
Frank Saab, owner of Saab Salon and Spa, says landlords and owners should be consulted if funding for an improvement is granted.
“It would be great to get landlords and owners involved with the theme and planning,” said Saab. “I’d like to see better storefronts — that would definitely help businesses.”
Kwasi Loney, area co-ordinator of The Unicef Store, said an improvement could make the area more like the Glebe.
“We need to make the area more inviting to people,” said Loney. “Some aesthetic changes could definitely make the area more appealing.”