Over DND’s objections, city approves heritage status for old RCAF mess hall
An abandoned three-storey brick building in downtown Ottawa — its windows boarded up — once bustled with activity and used to make history. The century-old building at 158 Gloucester St. was designed and built in 1919 by Robert Holmes, a well-known figure in Ottawa’s architectural history. It first served as the headquarters for the Orange Order, a Protestant fraternal organization...
Gotta go? Stand-alone public washroom promises downtown relief — at long last
A stand-alone public washroom planned for the corner of Somerset and Bank streets in Centretown will be the first of its kind in the capital when it opens this fall. Somerset Coun. Ariel Troster said the facility will be 400 square feet and believes it will have two stalls. Troster said she was “shocked” to learn there were no stand-alone,...
Getting vehicles off Wellington Street could revive downtown, some businesses say
The future of Wellington Street in front of Parliament Hill remains a topic of discussion at the federal level. Some Ottawa businesses endorse the idea of closing three blocks to vehicles.
With half of reported thefts in Somerset Ward on Bank Street, small businesses are calling for police support
Capital Current has found that 44 per cent of thefts in Somerset Ward occur on a stretch of Bank Street running from MacLaren to McLeod streets.
Improving Centretown accessibility frustrated by ‘ignorance, attitude’ and available funds for small businesses, advocates say
As the 2025 AODA deadline passes, Ottawa advocates and small businesses call for stronger support.
‘Life is about doing everything together:’ Language exchange creates a sense of community out of diversity
Facilitating conversation around language and cultures, BlaBla unites likeminded Ottawans interested in connecting with new people.
Fairy Cowboy Tours aims to preserve and celebrate Ottawa’s 2SLGBTQ+ history
Wearing a cowboy hat, a drawn-on moustache and glittery fairy wings, drag artist Morgan Mercury strolls around downtown Ottawa while sharing stories of 2SLGBTQ+ trailblazers who once called the city home.
Organizers brave Ottawa cold, raising $28,000 for homeless youth in 24-hour challenge
Volunteers stayed outside in downtown Ottawa for 24 hours to raise awareness and money for homeless youth.
Fate of downtown apartment building on hold as Ottawa council considers fate of tenants
Ottawa City Council has delayed a decision on a proposed development at 219-223 Bank St. and 178 Nepean St., requesting that the developer, Smart Living Properties, address concerns about the displacement of tenants. The council called for a “right to return” agreement, ensuring tenants would be allowed to return to the new units at below-market rates. The issue was raised...
Thefts soar in Ottawa’s crime hotspot Rideau-Vanier Ward
Rideau-Vanier reported the highest reported theft cases in Ottawa, according to a Capital Current analysis of the Ottawa Police’s crime data.
Noise complaints climb in September as academic year begins, data shows
A Capital Current analysis of data using the City of Ottawa’s 311 data portal, shows reported noise complaints for music and shouting in wards surrounding the University of Ottawa and Carleton University increased significantly in the month of September.
Tenants at Bank and Lisgar fear for their future as ‘demoviction’ date approaches
Time is running out for the tenants at Bank and Lisgar Sts., who face a February 2025 deadline to leave their homes, which will be demolished and replaced by a midrise apartment building.
Sparks Street BIA set for huge expansion among Centretown businesses
Ottawa's Sparks Street BIA is about to grow far beyond its namesake, following approval from City Council.