By Devi Ramachandran
Sparks Street between Kent and Lyons streets will be undergoing a make-over in an effort to create an urban setting.
The recommendations to restore Block V were recently approved by City Council.
Restorations to the block, home to offices and institutions as well as the Radisson Hotel and Place de Ville, is expected to start by spring 2001, Shannon McKenna, Sparks Street Mall manager said.
The restoration project first began in fall 1998 when the initial recommendations were made.
“We’re extremely happy about this. The council’s approval was a mere formality,” McKenna said.
The key points of the concept plan recommend “creating a pedestrian-friendly environment by introducing an urban park-like setting.”
“We want to create an atmosphere where a tourist or an office worker can sit in the park and have a sandwich,” McKenna said.
“Block V is one of the gateways to the mall, so we want it to be a calm and relaxed setting to go with the rest of the mall,” she said.
“We want a nice pedestrian mall where you can stroll along with no cars honking and no hassles.”
Planting new trees and shrubs as well as adding pedestrian-scale lighting is recommended.
The plan wants the existing fountain to be converted into a pond with seating around it.
The concept plan is being spearheaded by O and Y Properties who own Place de Ville.
Public Works and Government Services of Canada also owns property on the strip.
“The Sparks Street Mall Management Board and the property owners will now proceed to make the concept plan into a working plan,” said Arlene Gregoire, the Senior Policy and Special Projects Manager with the City of Ottawa’s Planning Department.
Gregoire said the plan was partly geared to make sure the block blended in with the rest of the Sparks Street Mall – also targeted for the new “urban park” look.
Aesthetics aside, safety is a concern for the City of Ottawa.
Street scaping is on the agenda for the area.
“There’s a general deterioration of the street,” said Bill Parsons, site manager.
“The pedestrian light is not sufficient,” Gregoire said, adding that the area is in dire need of resurfacing because of potential hazards like uneven concrete.
Gregoire said the extent of the restoration depends on how much money the property owners are willing to pitch in.
So far, none of the parties have committed to funding.
McKenna says they are waiting for a total assessment of what needs to be done.
“If there’s no funding, the City will go ahead and make the place safe,” Gregoire said.
Simple restoring could amount to around $300,000, she added.
City council will also have to approve the preliminary drawings, McKenna said.
“There’s a lot to do but now we can get started.”
The City of Ottawa, under the life-cycle maintenance program, ensures urban spaces like Block V are kept safe and maintained.
Gregoire says basic infrastructure like standard lighting and resurfacing will be the city’s only mandate.
All festive and decorative elements are considered additional costs and will be assigned to the property owners.
The life-cycle program devotes a life span for urban spaces and provides funding for their maintenance when the life-cycle expires. The block is long overdue.
In this case, “we’re postponing our work to allow the stakeholders to incorporate more decorative elements,” Gregoire said