By Colleen Kimmett
A National Capital Commission plan could mean some welcome changes for Sparks Street, an area many business owners say is in desperate need of a facelift.
The commission recently released Canada’s Capital Core Area Sector plan, aimed at revitalizing space in and around Ottawa’s downtown area. Sparks Street is one of 13 districts the commission will focus on developing over the next 25 years to make the city more tourist-friendly.
Mary Taylor, a senior interpretive planner with the commission, said Ottawa needs to change in order to be seen as more than a “government camptown” or business destination.
“There are gaps in services in terms of parking, transportation, orientation, washrooms. We need to beef up those services,” says Taylor.
These are some of the same issues business owners are concerned about. The plan — which Taylor emphasizes is a draft — proposes changes for Sparks Street, including more tour bus and visitor parking, an improved Capital Infocentre, and a free transit zone.
Hollander Layte owned the Marvellous Mustard Shop and L’Ange Café on Sparks Street for five years. She says business owners want public transit on Sparks Street, in the form of a streetcar.
“It used to have a streetcar, and many of us believe that we need public transportation that’s appropriate to this street, which is heritage,” says Layte. “You can still maintain the pedestrian mall, which is a wonderful concept.”
Layte said she doesn’t have a particular problem with the commission’s plans, but doubts their feasiblity.
“A major problem with the Capital Infocentre, again, is that there’s no parking. But I don’t know where they’re going to get that parking,” she says.
The plan is the last phase of a of a three-part planning process. The commission started in 1998 with a Core Areas Vision, then a Core Area Concept in 2000. This plan focuses on specific areas, but details are not definite.
Layte says it will be difficult to agree on those details. Different parties manage different aspects of Sparks Street. The Sparks Street Mall Authority, Ottawa’s Department of Public Works, the public itself, and private owners all have some role in development.
Layte says more ideas mean a better overall vision, but also more in-fighting.
“Everyone’s involved in the decision making,” she says. “That’s why it’s so difficult to implement.”
Layte says there is frustration among business owners who don’t feel they’re being listened to. “A lot of retailers feel on the totem poles of who’s needs come first, they’re last.”
Jack Cook opened his handicraft shop, Canada’s Four Corners, in 1968. He says Sparks Street was once a popular attraction, but describes it now as “a landing field for pigeons, crows and seagulls.”
When the commission renovated the Capital Infocentre in 1996, it included a new souvenir shop in what Cook says was an already saturated market. He says this has caused him to lose $180,000 per year in sales.
His suggestions for Sparks Street include more trees and grassy areas.
“It needs to be returned to a pictorial setting,” says Cook. “Public parks have to be maintained, but they will draw people.”
Sam Elsaadi owns La Mode hair studio and is on the mall authority board. He agrees the street itself doesn’t offer much for visitors to see, and doesn’t like the concrete and steel pavilions that dot its length.
“The NCC is doing a good job in making progress, but they take long,” said Elsaadi. “I still say we need to work harder for the street’s facelift. What are we going to do for the next ten years?”
Eva Schacherl, NCC spokesperson, says the commission has no specific plans for a streetcar and is not responsible for the pavilions. But in terms of development, she says Sparks is, “well ahead of the game.”
Work has started on a project called Canlands A, a Sparks Street complex that will include commercial, residential and possibly arts and entertainment space.
But businesses will have to wait before they see major changes on Sparks Street.
“It will only be finalized after review by public and input by public,” said Taylor. “Whether the comments we get back are embracing of this vision or suggestions for change, we really welcome that.”