The uninviting, cold Greyhound bus terminal on Catherine Street will undergo extensive renovations that promise to be more user-friendly and positive for Centretown residents.
“Lots of Centretown residents didn’t want the bus terminal to move,” says Somerset Ward Coun. Diane Holmes. “Renovations will help it to better serve Centretown.”
The building is getting new heating, air conditioning, an interior and exterior facelift, and a new restaurant, says Holmes.
Holmes says she was also pleased to hear the bus terminal will remain on Catherine Street as a long-term lease was signed. “It is good to see the investment going where it is,” she adds.
The bus terminal was supposed to relocate once its lease had expired, but after much public outcry, the terminal will still remain in its current location.
The renovations are expected to occur in the next 12 to 18 months and will cost more than $1 million.
If the bus terminal were ever to relocate, the city approved a plan to erect stores, an office building as well as apartments.
The bus terminal’s owner applied to re-zone the property, however, since a long-term lease has been signed, the terminal is expected to remain on Catherine Street for a long time.
Some Greyhound passengers say they are looking forward to the renovations. The bus terminal is “in major need of a revamp,” says Josh Martin, an Ottawa resident who uses Greyhound when travelling from Ottawa to Milton, Ont.
“I think if they put in a proper convenience store and a unique bistro type restaurant … it could become a hub for people who work in the area to grab a quick lunch,” says Martin.
“They used to serve sandwiches, but I never ate them cause the restaurant looked pretty gross,” says Martin. “Now it is shut down along with the convenience store.”
Since the bus terminal is in the heart of the city, it should give a good first impression, says passenger Krystina Monette. “Right now it looks grungy,” says Monette.
“For some people, their impression of Ottawa would be grungy after arriving at the terminal,” she adds. “First impressions are a big thing.”
The renovated bus terminal should have better signage, says Monette. “Right now, it is very confusing, especially if you don’t know where you’re going,” she says.
Monette notes the door to a bathroom stall she was using fell completely off. “I don’t even know how that’s possible!” she laughs. “I think the renovations will give Greyhound a better name.”
“The bus terminal appears a little old,” says passenger Melissa McCowell from Kingston Ont. McCowell says the bus terminal serves its purpose currently, however she says it will benefit from renovations.
The renovations will not pose any inconvenience to Centretown residents, says Holmes.