Ottawa's Byward Market

[YOWetal]

Originally Posted by DTcrawler

It was a rhetorical question, but yes, agreed. It should be obvious that nice things cost money but that seems to be lost on many Ottawans who say things like "Why doesn't Ottawa have X?" while also voting for politicians who promise low taxes and efficiencies.

Yes but it's not just voting for politicians it's about not wanting to pay more taxes for collective goods. I think we can't fund cities with property taxes alone but that is a wider question. The huge number of suburban families and retirees sitting in their houses and rarely venturing out are never going to vote for something different.

[rocketphish]

What it's like to live in the ByWard Market
'Quite often I’m walking by people, I have no idea if they’re dead or not. I have no idea if they’re breathing.'

Marlo Glass
Published Dec 11, 2024 • Last updated 4 hours ago • 2 minute read

Once a gem in the centre of the nation’s capital, the ByWard Market is losing its place in Ottawans’ hearts. Longstanding businesses have closed. A rash of high-profile violent crimes—including a brazen daytime shooting—and rampant opioid abuse have increased calls from locals for help. The attempts to revitalize the area—from the addition of a $50 million neighbourhood police station to installing an undersized fake-ice rink—vary widely. But what say the people who are still there? We interviewed folks who live, work and play in the ByWard Market. These are their stories, in their own words.

Brooks Hillaby has lived in ByWard for over 25 years, in a housing co-op at Clarence and Dalhousie.

It’s a mixed blessing that you’ve got more police presence here recently. Took them a while. Which seems to have taken down the amount of guys on Harleys revving at ungodly early hours. So that’s a plus.

The downside is why there are more cops, which is because of the marginalized citizens. The horror, the horror. I give them money, I don’t care what they do with it. That’s all I can do.

Quite often I’m walking by people, I have no idea if they’re dead or not. I have no idea if they’re breathing. The emergency first responders are dreadfully overworked.

And I don’t see it getting any better. The increased police presence does what it can, but they’re still out there, they’re still suffering, and there are still horrors, disturbing and frightening to young children sometimes.

But I mean, you know, the show must go on. We’ve still got bars, still got restaurants. Still got the milk shop. To my mind, the defining characteristic is the afflicted. And I mean, despite being compassionate, I’m less phased than a lot of people. Civilians from Kanata must be shaking in their boots, to a moderate extent. It would be difficult to own a store.

I don’t have solutions, I don’t. Or, if there were mental hospital beds, and addiction treatment centres open without waiting lists. But that’s not going to happen, they won’t give the money for that.

So no solutions, other than be kind to them. Give them some money, be nice. It would help to a certain extent if ODSB [Ontario Disability Support Program] and welfare was livable. I was on ODSB before I got on Old Age Security. It’s not enough money to live on.

As told to Marlo Glass. This conversation has been edited for length and clarity.

https://ottawacitizen.com/news/live-in-byward-market-ottawa

[DTcrawler]

Originally Posted by YOWetal

Yes but it's not just voting for politicians it's about not wanting to pay more taxes for collective goods. I think we can't fund cities with property taxes alone but that is a wider question. The huge number of suburban families and retirees sitting in their houses and rarely venturing out are never going to vote for something different.

I agree. And if people are happy with foregoing new public amenities, or letting existing ones deteriorate, in favour of saving money on their tax bill then it's obviously within their right to vote accordingly.

My gripe lies with the crowd who favour low/no tax increases while simultaneously moaning about the lack of investment in collective goods or services. It always comes down to money and if we don't pay for it, we don't get it. I do wish politicians were more transparent about the fiscal realities of paying for what residents (claim to) want. But then again, politics are politics and campaigning off the promise that you're going to "fix downtown" or "fix transit" while keeping taxes low sounds much nicer to voters' ears, despite it being extremely difficult to do so, if not impossible. In other words, a blatant lie.

[eltodesukane]

"In 2023, 188 people died from confirmed drug overdoses." (in Ottawa)
https://ottawacitizen.com/news/ottawas-death-toll-drug-overdoses-new-record
https://www.ottawapublichealth.ca/en/rep...cs/drug-use-and-overdose-statistics.aspx
https://app.powerbi.com/view?r=eyJrIjoiM...geName=ReportSection9c5ca64112cdb1d601ae
https://open.ottawa.ca/datasets/suspected-drug-overdose-deaths-in-ottawa/explore

[phil235]

Originally Posted by DTcrawler

I agree. And if people are happy with foregoing new public amenities, or letting existing ones deteriorate, in favour of saving money on their tax bill then it's obviously within their right to vote accordingly.

My gripe lies with the crowd who favour low/no tax increases while simultaneously moaning about the lack of investment in collective goods or services. It always comes down to money and if we don't pay for it, we don't get it. I do wish politicians were more transparent about the fiscal realities of paying for what residents (claim to) want. But then again, politics are politics and campaigning off the promise that you're going to "fix downtown" or "fix transit" while keeping taxes low sounds much nicer to voters' ears, despite it being extremely difficult to do so, if not impossible. In other words, a blatant lie.

Completely agree. Although I'm not sure that transparency right down to the budget line item works very well either. For one, we presumably elect people who have the skills and experience to make decisions on our behalf, and to ensure that the whole works together, so I want to leave some level of detail to them. Also, you lose the big picture when the debate turns to specific line items, and gets lost in a chorus of people complaining that we are spending too much for an amenity that they don't use. All public discourse is not necessarily productive discourse.

Not sure what the answer is, but it's probably some balance of transparency and confidence in competent management. That second one may be a bridge too far these days, as every joker with a twitter account feels that their opinions should hold equal or more value than the professionals working in these areas.

[YOWetal]

Originally Posted by DTcrawler

I agree. And if people are happy with foregoing new public amenities, or letting existing ones deteriorate, in favour of saving money on their tax bill then it's obviously within their right to vote accordingly.

My gripe lies with the crowd who favour low/no tax increases while simultaneously moaning about the lack of investment in collective goods or services. It always comes down to money and if we don't pay for it, we don't get it. I do wish politicians were more transparent about the fiscal realities of paying for what residents (claim to) want. But then again, politics are politics and campaigning off the promise that you're going to "fix downtown" or "fix transit" while keeping taxes low sounds much nicer to voters' ears, despite it being extremely difficult to do so, if not impossible. In other words, a blatant lie.

Yeah 100%. We don't like tough choices. We also like the we won't make real cuts we will just cut useless bureaucrats. Or the Left's version we will just tax some "other" people who are richer than us.

Of course there is a kernel of truth to both claims though rarely do they come to fruition.

Originally Posted by eltodesukane

"In 2023, 188 people died from confirmed drug overdoses." (in Ottawa)
https://ottawacitizen.com/news/ottawas-death-toll-drug-overdoses-new-record

Kind of crazy article where those suggesting "safe" injection is the key claim closing that down will kill people when this experiment has led to more death and carnage. Briefly cites Alberta where deaths are falling after pausing on the drugs everywhere policy.

Ford's new policy might not drive down OD rates but it very well might be a key plank to winning the election as the NDP and Liberals are incapable of going against the orthodoxy.

[SkeggsEggs]

Originally Posted by YOWetal

Briefly cites Alberta where deaths are falling after pausing on the drugs everywhere policy.

Red Deer's supervised consumption site hasn't closed yet and Lethbridge's was closed in 2020. So not sure the connection you're trying to make is rooted in reality.

[OTSkyline]

Is the dinky rink open yet? Anybody have pictures of anecdotes?

[YOWetal]

Originally Posted by OTSkyline

Is the dinky rink open yet? Anybody have pictures of anecdotes?

Walked by it today actually. It's even dinkier than you imagine. Like if you had it delivered to your suburban backyard for a party you'd say it's smaller than you imagined.

Originally Posted by SkeggsEggs

Red Deer's supervised consumption site hasn't closed yet and Lethbridge's was closed in 2020. So not sure the connection you're trying to make is rooted in reality.

That is certainly possible. While they made a big splash about changing course last summer it's possible the subsequent drop was coincidental. It also means any further drop might be unrelated as it was on course for improvement anyway. I do think the safe injection and hands off approach isn't the sole or even main reason for the overdose deaths increases. But I doubt it helps much and the collateral damage to the rest of society makes it not worth it regardless.

[rocketphish]

ByWard business owners say turnover is a good thing and will add to revitalization of the area

Mia Jensen, OBJ
January 8, 2025

Several businesses that have just opened in the ByWard Market say it’s natural to see even familiar names come and go and that the transition to new ideas can be good.

Longtime businesses such as Saslove’s Meat Market, the Courtyard Restaurant and Blue Cactus have moved out in recent months, while new businesses are filling those spots.

After signing a lease with the National Capital Commission late last summer, Ottawa-based brewer Beyond the Pale opened the doors of its new taproom and event space last month in the heritage building previously occupied by the Courtyard Restaurant.

“It’s nice to see this kind of transition happening now,” said co-owner and brewmaster Shane Clark. “It’s unfortunate that some long-term businesses are closing, but it is nice to get that little bit more transition, a new revitalization of that area. New businesses, new ideas coming in and hopefully that’s going to draw a bigger crowd again and get more people comfortable going down into the Market.

“I’m Ottawa-born and raised, so I’ve spent a lot of my time down in the Market over the years,” he continued. “It’s an amazing spot that we have in Ottawa and I think it’s definitely being a little under-utilized.”

<more>

https://obj.ca/byward-business-owners-turnover-good-thing-revitalization/

[kwoldtimer]

Depends on the nature of the turnover, surely. Seeing a meat market turned into a fast food place is not a good thing, imo.

[DTcrawler]

Originally Posted by kwoldtimer

Depends on the nature of the turnover, surely. Seeing a meat market turned into a fast food place is not a good thing, imo.

At least it's not one of the generic chains that we already have a million of in Ottawa (Subway, Popeye's, etc). It looks like this chain (Philthy Philly's) is new to Ottawa. A quick look at their website shows they have plenty of locations across the GTA, as well as a few in the Prairies and the Maritimes.

And for what it's worth, I took a look at Saslove's google reviews when I saw the news of their closing, and it wasn't pretty. Although that could've been a recent phenomenon associated with a business on the verge of closing its doors.

[rocketphish]

The rise and fall (and rise again?) of the ByWard Market
As the ByWard Market bleeds businesses, the historic district faces an uncertain future — and a fight to stay relevant.

Andrew Duffy, Ottawa Citizen
Published Jan 12, 2025 • Last updated 18 hours ago • 17 minute read



John Diener grew up in Saslove’s Meat Market. As a boy in the 1960s, he worked in the store on weekends and holidays, serving customers from behind the counter, cleaning meat coolers, washing floors.

Diener’s father, Nathan, a Holocaust survivor from eastern Poland, originally bought the business located at the core of the ByWard Market from Sam Saslove in 1954, six years after he arrived in Ottawa. Nathan Diener kept the Saslove name because it was well-established in the meat industry.
Article content

The ByWard Market then was home to about a dozen butchers. There were fruit and vegetable stores, fish markets, cheese and specialty food shops.

“The Market was a really vibrant place to be: Retail food was a big part of the draw,” Diener says. “You didn’t have supermarkets in every neighbourhood like you do now. There were 150 stands with local farmers. Some of them even sold live chickens and rabbits.”

<more>

https://ottawacitizen.com/feature/byward-market-rise-fall

[phil235]

Just to add a little perspective to the ongoing debate, it was good to see some more positive stories including data. Significantly more people visited the Market last year, so there is clearly a reason that those retail units aren't staying vacant for long.

https://www.ctvnews.ca/ottawa/article/by...increase-in-visitors-in-2024-data-shows/

[rocketphish]

Look, a story that doesn't mention the name of any businesses that are closing:

Ottawa business Juice Dudez opens ByWard Market location as part of expansion plans

Marissa Galko, OBJ
January 9, 2025

An Ottawa entrepreneur’s ambitious plans to expand his business now include a location in the ByWard Market.

Juice Dudez’s newest location has opened on Clarence Street and offers fresh fruit juices, smoothies, coffees and teas, as well as baked goods and chocolate-covered crepes and waffles.

Nasr Nasr, owner of Juice Dudez, opened his first location in Westboro in 2019, with a second location on Bank Street near Heron Road opening in 2022. He said he’s always wanted to be in the ByWard Market.

<more>

https://obj.ca/ottawa-biz-juice-dudez-opens-byward-market-location/

[rocketphish]

What you need to know about Ottawa’s $129M ByWard Market plan
The city plans to (partially) give the ByWard Market back to pedestrians.

Blair Crawford, Ottawa Citizen
Published Jan 20, 2025 • Last updated 49 minutes ago • 4 minute read



Boiled down to its essence, the city’s ByWard Market Public Realm Plan Recommendations Report is this: Pedestrians first.

The 89-page report, which took two years to produce, landed in October 2020 when the world was six months into the COVID-19 pandemic. The demands of public health were the first test of the plan’s goals of increasing the ByWard market’s resiliency to adapt to “changing circumstances and better serve the people of Ottawa, and soon, new visitors.”

It envisions a ByWard Market with pedestrian friendly streets, grand, tree-lined boulevards on York and George streets that invite visitors to linger, an improved food market at its heart and everywhere, extensive tree planting to create a green, welcoming space.

A new two- to four-storey “destination building” would replace the parking garage on Clarence Street, across York Street from the ByWard Market building.

The study identifies 15 “design frameworks”, among them enhancing the market’s “key public spaces” and “character areas”, improved lighting and way finding, improved cycling and vehicle circulation networks, more public art, a “retail/patio” zone, improved power and water access and strategies to help marketing and the market’s “heritage interpretation.” It even identifies areas for priority snow clearing during the winter.

Some of the elements are already in place, such as the pedestrian walkway on William Street, but the ultimate plan will take years, decades even, to complete.

In the meantime, here’s what you need to know about it.

<more>

https://ottawacitizen.com/news/local-news/what-you-need-to-know-ottawa-byward-market-plan

[SL123]

^There's literally nothing new in this article!

[J.OT13]

Haven't read it yet, but seems informative at least instead of packed with "opinions".

[rocketphish]

ByWard Market rink is a bust for skaters
The William Street rink is empty, uneven and unloved. Time to skate away and try something else?

Bruce Deachman, Ottawa Citizen
Published Jan 23, 2025 • Last updated 2 minutes ago • 6 minute read



If you build it, they will come.

This adage may hold true for baseball diamonds cut into Iowa cornfields, but maybe not so much for synthetic skating rink in the ByWard Market.

I wish this were not the case. When the ByWard Market District Authority announced plans last October to purchase and erect a synthetic rink on William Street, and opened it in late November, I thought it might be an excellent idea.
Article content

As Zachary Dayler, executive director of the BMDA, accurately noted at the time, skating on the Rideau Canal had lately become an iffy proposition: It was only open for public skating 10 days last winter, and none the winter before. Given that uncertainty, offering the public an alternative experience, similar to smaller skating rinks like those at city hall and Lansdowne Park, could only be a good thing.

Additionally, the city’s renewal plan for the ByWard Market calls for increased activities and attractions, so why not try a rink, right? If you build it, they at least might come.

<more>

https://ottawacitizen.com/news/local-news/deachman-byward-market-rink-is-a-bust-for-skaters

[hwy418]

Originally Posted by rocketphish

ByWard Market rink is a bust for skaters
The William Street rink is empty, uneven and unloved. Time to skate away and try something else?

Bruce Deachman, Ottawa Citizen
Published Jan 23, 2025 • Last updated 2 minutes ago • 6 minute read



If you build it, they will come.

This adage may hold true for baseball diamonds cut into Iowa cornfields, but maybe not so much for synthetic skating rink in the ByWard Market.

I wish this were not the case. When the ByWard Market District Authority announced plans last October to purchase and erect a synthetic rink on William Street, and opened it in late November, I thought it might be an excellent idea.
Article content

As Zachary Dayler, executive director of the BMDA, accurately noted at the time, skating on the Rideau Canal had lately become an iffy proposition: It was only open for public skating 10 days last winter, and none the winter before. Given that uncertainty, offering the public an alternative experience, similar to smaller skating rinks like those at city hall and Lansdowne Park, could only be a good thing.

Additionally, the city’s renewal plan for the ByWard Market calls for increased activities and attractions, so why not try a rink, right? If you build it, they at least might come.

<more>

https://ottawacitizen.com/news/local-news/deachman-byward-market-rink-is-a-bust-for-skaters

This rink was such a dumb idea. Just look at the size of it - three strides and you reach the end. Can't really have more than 3 or 4 people in there at a time. I think a real ice skating rink at Major's Hill Park with the backdrop of Parliament Hill / downtown would be awesome. It would be a real draw from locals and tourists! As for its feasibility... well NCC...