Centretown’s skyline is rising as condominium construction continues to grow. But if the community wants to attract businesses, it needs to offer more family-friendly housing.
Centretown’s skyline is rising as condominium construction continues to grow. But if the community wants to attract businesses, it needs to offer more family-friendly housing.
While Ottawa neighbourhoods such as Hintonburg and New Edinburgh have seen property values skyrocket and local businesses take off, Centretown has remained stagnant over the past few years.
City councillors are rezoning land to accommodate glossy high-rise buildings that are supposed to “intensify” the neighbourhood and bring in business. Centretown is the city’s leader in high-rise development; according to city data, 193 large multi-storey buildings were built in the neighbourhood this past quarter.
Towers on Lisgar, McLeod and Gladstone have already sprung up and new projects on Preston and Bronson promise to reach heights of more than 30 storeys.
The hope is that by raising the skyline local businesses will also soar. But without proper urban planning, Centretown’s condo boom will do little for creating long-term business growth. in the community
Proponents claim that building high-rise condominiums will attract young professionals with money to burn, which will bring new businesses to set up shop in the area.
Bright and shiny condos such as the proposed 30-storey SoHo Italia on Preston Street promise New York-style living in Canada’s capital. Who wouldn’t want that?
Well, most people in Ottawa, that’s who.
Ottawa is a government town, always was and always will be. What drives people to move to Ottawa isn’t the thrill and excitement of city life, it’s the promise of a good job and a good pension. It’s the kind of town where families like to settle. Condominiums, even sparkly baubles such as SoHo Italia, are generally small and have little access to green space. This is fine for young people without children or pets. But what family of four wants to live in a 56-square-metre apartment that costs $1,000 a month?
What happens when 20-something Sam and Alex decide to buy the proverbial golden retriever and have kids? They move.
And where do they move to?
Hintonburg, New Edinburgh, Civic Hospital and Old Ottawa South. These are neighbourhoods with green space, one- or two-family houses and strong business improvement associations.
These are the sorts of neighbourhoods where businesses want to stay.
The far west corners of Centretown are starting to catch on. Fueled by the family-friendly Civic Hospital neighbourhood, Little Italy has made itself a destination for young urban families and the shops that cater to them. It has easy access to Dow’s Lake, a community centre and affordable yet relatively spacious housing. A strong business improvement association supports local businesses and attracts new ones.
All this came before SoHo Italia decided to reach for the sky.
Making Centretown attractive to businesses means making it attractive to families. That means the community needs to have more than just the biggest, brightest condominiums on the block.
It means investing in buildings that offer more than two bedrooms and it means investing in affordable housing. It also means investing in parks and community centres so that Sam and Alex can take their dog (and kids) out for a walk.
Real community transformation requires not just a financial investment from homeowners and businesses. It requires an investment of both parties’ time. Attracting young people with slick condos is easy; it’s getting them to stay that’s hard.