The plan to transform William Street into a permanent pedestrian-only street is on hold and Ottawa city councillors are questioning why that decision was made without council approval.
Funding for the project came from a $20 million grant from the province in 2024 for downtown revitalization. City council approved allocating $11.8 million to the William Street project.
But staff told council March 11 that $10 million of the money will be redirected to other revitalization projects after concerns were raised by local business owners, pushing the William Street project to a later date.
Debbie Stewart, general manager of strategic initiatives, said the local businesses are concerned about the removal of 22 parking spaces on William Street and the potential economic strain construction could create given the fragile state of the economy.
Somerset Coun. Ariel Troster questioned the prioritization of a small number of parking spots.
“There are 5,000 parking spots in the Market and businesses did not want to lose 22. So therefore, we are not doing what we put on Engage Ottawa and said we would do to William Street?” Troster said.
“Yes, but for [a] range of factors, not just the parking removal,” Stewart said.
“We think that we’re in a particular economic condition where all of those impacts compound and would have a detrimental impact on those small businesses,” she said, adding that the city is still committed to the pedestrian project.
Kitchissippi Coun. Jeff Lieper said he was very disappointed with the decision.
“I think the city was on the right track when it asked the province for money specifically to pedestrianize William Street,” Leiper said.
“This is something that the previous council demonstrated clear support for. I think the decision not to proceed with that at this time is a disappointing one and it’s been made in response to concerns that could have been addressed,” he said.
“I do understand that if (William Street) is not going to move forward, then this money from the province should be reallocated to something else within the same theme,” he added. “I think you heard a pushback at this meeting in terms of just letting staff make whatever decision they felt was best. Too many times, city council gives over its control over significant decisions like these to staff.”
A motion put forth by Coun. Leiper and Rideau-Vanier Coun. Stéphanie Plante asked that staff present their revised plan for the provincial funding to council for final approval. That motion was approved.
City council also approved an amended ByWard Market revitalization plan. The plan will include measures such as re-imagining 55 ByWard Market Square, rebuilding the municipal garage at 70 Clarence Street, with the possibility of a cultural and arts hub, and transforming the York Street Plaza into a flexible, people-centred civic plaza.
“There is no reason not to vote in favour of the plan that’s in front of us,” said Leiper.
“It will accomplish some good things with respect to a redeveloped ByWard Market Building. I am actually genuinely excited about what York Street might look like after that is undertaken. But we can do better, we can demonstrate more vision, we can be better leaders.”
Plante says the plan acknowledges the need for a holistic approach to planning.
“We’ve been very good at meeting to talk about the Market. We’ve been less good at implementing solutions,” she said. “The report recognizes something important: revitalization cannot occur in isolation from housing, mental health, addiction, public safety and economic vitality.”
Other approved changes include the creation of extended-hours daycare services, pedestrianization supported by flexible bollards and 24-hour access to public washrooms in the Market.
