Ottawa's Byward Market

[YOWetal]

Originally Posted by J.OT13

PDF presentation on the plan.

https://mathieufleury.ca/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/ByWard-MasterPlan-v3e-PUBLIC-14MAY20.pdf

So we can't close a single street to vehicular traffic? The plans seems to make it difficult to traverse east west in the hopes we will reduce traffic but it will likely create a lot of gridlock as infrequent visitors continue to expect to drive door to door. It does eliminate a ton of parking so we seem to further make life difficult for retailers while adding little to the pedestrian experience.

Total fail in my opinion. Meanwhile Covid is going to ravage businesses in the Byward Market harder than most. Who in the next 12-24 months will be heading downtown? Tourists also gone at least for this season and probably most of next.

[FutureWickedCity]

Interesting. So this is what would replace the current parking garage and ground floor retail:

"The new Destination building is intended as a signature public building to complement the existing historic Market building. The following design principles reinforce the goals of the public realm:
• be high quality urban design
• respect the ByWard Market Heritage Conservation District plan
• include a use that bolsters the retail environment of the ByWard Market and the experience for visitors and Ottawa residents alike
• be 2 to 4 storeys in height (subject to a detailed view analysis)
• align the front facade with the other buildings along York Street
• provide for a 20m ROW for ByWard Market Square and a 14m ROW for William, with a resulting building footprint of 2750m2)
• provide a main front entrance facing the Market Plaza and the existing Market building
• provide a highly transparent facade treatment to showcase the use and activity within. Ideally, the interior uses will be able to spill out on all sides of the building into a retail/patio zone
• consider views to Parliament Hill from within the building envelope
• provide public washrooms at ground level
• provide enclosed bicycle parking facilities
• ensure loading and servicing are interior to the building envelope and located with the least impact on the facaded design facing the public realm, ideally along ByWard Market Square
• provide storage for furniture and equipment related to street programming, e.g. storage for benches, bollards, tents, fork lift, and event support equipment
• consider the potential to provide underground public parking"

[J.OT13]

On that last point, "consider the potential to provide underground public parking", that should be built under York near Sussex and Cumberland, where the street right-of-way is widest. The ultimate goal should be removing cars from the Market completely (the area within blocks surrounded by Rideau, Murray, Sussex and Dalhousie).

[J.OT13]

Bare-minimum, William, ByWard Market Square, Clarence and Parent should be completely closed to cars, with George and York narrowed significantly (similar to what is proposed).

[SkeggsEggs]

God I hope they spend a little money to get more interesting bollards than the standard skinny black ones.

The tall mast lighting is interesting. The skate park at George and Sussex is surprising (but cool!).

I feel like they are over doing it with the pavers! Roadway vs sidewalk is not differentiated enough.

Not sure why they need any parking on the south-side of Clarence.

[YOWetal]

Originally Posted by J.OT13

Bare-minimum, William, ByWard Market Square, Clarence and Parent should be completely closed to cars, with George and York narrowed significantly (similar to what is proposed).

Yes seems so obvious and frankly I am not an anti-car person. Those streets serve no purpose other than access to parking.

I am not sure about the narrowing. I know it is complete street ideology right now and should slow and reduce traffic flows but it creates problems as well. I would close York west of the market and build a large underground parking lot there before opening above for pop-up retail. (construction could pay for itself)
For George maybe close the middle part? Allowing access to parking across from the bay and the Marriott but stopping through traffic that uses it as a short cut.

Politically we should aim for at least William/Market Square and Clarence and go from there.

[Aylmer]

God forbid we impede that fast-moving through-traffic in the Market

[Acajack]

Not sure if it has been mentioned on here but the Old Fish Market restaurant in the market is closing down for good.

[YOWetal]

Originally Posted by Aylmer

God forbid we impede that fast-moving through-traffic in the Market

Or if that is important let's make clear parking from Murray and St. Patrick and leave the actual market alone.

[rocketphish]

Latest ByWard Market study calls for redevelopment of parkade, expanded pedestrian zones

Jon Willing, Ottawa Citizen
Publishing date: 35 minutes ago • 3 minute read

A draft plan to transform the ByWard Market calls for a new showcase building in the heart of the district as part of a transformation of city-owned lands.

The plan being circulated for comments before a final document goes to council later this year could finally provide a to-do list of beautification projects for an area constantly under public scrutiny.

“Everyone has an opinion about the market, which tells me people care,” Rideau-Vanier Coun. Mathieu Fleury said.

The ideas to gussy up the historic market wouldn’t be cheap.

Fleury said the improvements come with a total price tag of $200 million.

And they would likely take decades to fully implement.

The biggest project proposed by consultants might be the redevelopment of the land at 70 Clarence St., currently home to a municipal parkade with some ground-level stores. The plan plots a two-to-four-storey “destination building” for the property with the possibility of having underground parking.

The idea is to have the main entrance of a new building face south toward the current ByWard Market building, creating a vending square on York Street. The new building should be transparent so people can see what’s going on inside and have the ability to open up to encourage retail and patio areas, the plan says.

High-priority projects in the plan include a York Street “flex plaza” between Sussex Drive and the central ByWard Market building that could host events while maintaining traffic flow. The redevelopment of a destination building, along with pedestrian-only zones flanking the central market building, is also suggested as a high-priority project .

“High priority” is considered anytime between three and 10 years, although the plan recommends setting the groundwork to create a destination building over the next two years, such as issuing a request for information to assess business opportunities.

York Street over the long term would be transformed into a “grand boulevard” and George Street at William Street would be a good place for a fountain, the plan says.

At its core, the plan aims to make more room for pedestrians and add more trees to soften an environment dominated by hard surfaces.

There are some recommendations in the plan that will require buy-in from the private sector.

For example, the plan brings up the need to improve the part of George Street between Sussex Drive and the central market building, considering The Bay has its loading docks facing the key pedestrian gateway. “It is not appropriate to have loading doors for 53-foot trailers facing onto George Street,” the plan says.

The plan also steps a bit outside of the market boundaries to critique the area of Rideau Street and Sussex Drive. It suggests holding a design competition to come up with a concept for this high-profile intersection.

The ByWard Market public realm study has been going on for nearly two years, but the motivation was a 2013 study on the market by the New York organization Project for Public Spaces

The city indicated in 2018 that the public realm study budget is $600,000. Toronto-based firm The Planning Partnership has been leading a team of consultants on the study.

Fleury said he understands if people dismiss the latest work as just another study on the ByWard Market, but he argued that the draft plan provides projects for the city to pursue.

Making those projects a reality will require other levels of government to provide money. The economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic could present an opportunity, Fleury said.

“In a stimulus world, you never know what can happen,” Fleury said.

City staff expect to send a final draft plan to council for approval in the fall.

Fleury has posted the draft plan on his website. The city is accepting comments until June 26 through the email address [email protected].

[email protected]
twitter.com/JonathanWilling

https://ottawacitizen.com/news/local-new...cm/759b8593-4179-4cc5-9551-1d5061ed70b7/

[lrt's friend]

The economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic could present an opportunity, Fleury said.

And a challenge. It is going to be really hard to know what the ByWard market will need to be in the future. The market is going to see hard times at least until next summer.

[J.OT13]

There are some recommendations in the plan that will require buy-in from the private sector.

For example, the plan brings up the need to improve the part of George Street between Sussex Drive and the central market building, considering The Bay has its loading docks facing the key pedestrian gateway. “It is not appropriate to have loading doors for 53-foot trailers facing onto George Street,” the plan says.

I agree the George Street face of HBC is an eye sore and the receiving area can be considered "innapropriate", but I'm not sure what they can do about that. Receiving can only be on George or Rideau, and I don't was another hole punched into the historic Rideau elevation after we just patched up the one from the 80s (skywalk).

That said, HBC really needs to do something with the George side. The orange panels and brown brick don't cut it anymore. The glass entrance is pretty terrible as well. I would like to see a new entrance, the restoration of the old brick wall, including widows (if they are still there) and maybe a row of pop-up shops or market stalls along street-level to eliminate the blank street frontage.

[Harley613]

Originally Posted by J.OT13

I agree the George Street face of HBC is an eye sore and the receiving area can be considered "innapropriate", but I'm not sure what they can do about that. Receiving can only be on George or Rideau, and I don't was another hole punched into the historic Rideau elevation after we just patched up the one from the 80s (skywalk).

That said, HBC really needs to do something with the George side. The orange panels and brown brick don't cut it anymore. The glass entrance is pretty terrible as well. I would like to see a new entrance, the restoration of the old brick wall, including widows (if they are still there) and maybe a row of pop-up shops or market stalls along street-level to eliminate the blank street frontage.

Agreed. There is nothing you can do about the location of docks, it's not like HBC which is hanging by a thread is going to do some kind of multi million dollar underground dock just for aesthetics. Besides, they have the deliveries planned out in a way that I don't think I have ever seen a truck parked at the loading docks in my entire life and I park in that lot all the time day and night. They must have it all done at twilight.

Also agreed on the facade. It really doesn't need much, it's already a blank canvas. I'm amazed they haven't done anything to dress it up already. It's got to be the ugliest downtown HBC facade in the country by a long shot.

[rocketphish]

Some ByWard Market streets will close to cars to allow restaurant patios to expand

Peter Hum, Ottawa Citizen
Publishing date: Jun 24, 2020 • Last Updated 1 hour ago • 1 minute read



Several ByWard Market streets will close as of July 4 to help restaurants on them expand their patios, Ottawa Mayor Jim Watson tweeted Wednesday.

Clarence Street will close between William and Dalhousie streets, Watson said. In addition, the northern side of York Street will be closed between Market Square and Sussex Drive, while some of the on-street parking near the Ottawa sign on York Street will be converted to patio space. The street closures will remain in force until the end of patio season, Watson tweeted.

Restaurants were forced by COVID-19 in mid-March to close their dining rooms and many switched to offering takeout and delivery fare. On June 12, restaurants were allowed to serve customers on their patios as long as they followed physical distancing recommendations. No re-opening date for dining rooms has been announced.

https://ottawacitizen.com/news/some-bywa...cm/f48f1da9-1661-4f31-a6c3-09a73f0302be/

[YOWetal]

Originally Posted by rocketphish

Some ByWard Market streets will close to cars to allow restaurant patios to expand

Peter Hum, Ottawa Citizen
Publishing date: Jun 24, 2020 • Last Updated 1 hour ago • 1 minute read

Clarence Street will close between William and Dalhousie streets, Watson said. In addition, the northern side of York Street will be closed between Market Square and Sussex Drive, while some of the on-street parking near the Ottawa sign on York Street will be converted to patio space. The street closures will remain in force until the end of patio season, Watson tweeted.


https://ottawacitizen.com/news/some-bywa...cm/f48f1da9-1661-4f31-a6c3-09a73f0302be/

Minimum possible effort. These closures are a no brainer to keep permanent at least in April to October. Given the current situation a lot more streets should be close at least temporarily.

[J.OT13]

We went for a stroll in the Market this evening. Quite busy for a Sunday, with or without a pandemic. Clock Tower at Rideau and Ogilvy Square worries me a bit, as it has in the past.

Nearly half way though the Public Realm recommendations pdf. Not perfect, but would still be a massive improvement over the current state.

Other than the addition of more permanent pedestrian space, here are a few more comments. Couple of things I question, like the trees at the west end of York. They say they won't block the view of Parliament, but I'm not so sure. I hope the "Ottawa" maintains the same rough placement.

I can understand the shared pedestrian-car narrow space (like a long hotel lay-by) on York between Dalhousie and King Edward, but I have safety and visibility concerns.

Not sure how I feel with the lighting scheme of tall masts only along parts of York. Human scale lighting is an important part of the creating ambiance, so both should be included. They might be able to make the human-scale lighting removable for events, like the bollards.

There's one water feature on George, but I'd like to see more. With the summer heat we see nowadays, getting worse every year, water features are a good way to cool down.

EDIT: It appears restaurant terraces are, not quite forgotten, but not as prominent as they should be. They should be given a little more space than what is shown.

Post-Covid, we might see more builders, landlords and restaurateurs invest in more roof-top patios where ground level space is limited or non-existent.

[kwoldtimer]

Originally Posted by J.OT13

We went for a stroll in the Market this evening. Quite busy for a Sunday, with or without a pandemic. Clock Tower at Rideau and Ogilvy Square worries me a bit, as it has in the past.

Nearly half way though the Public Realm recommendations pdf. Not perfect, but would still be a massive improvement over the current state.

Other than the addition of more permanent pedestrian space, here are a few more comments. Couple of things I question, like the trees at the west end of York. They say they won't block the view of Parliament, but I'm not so sure. I hope the "Ottawa" maintains the same rough placement.

I can understand the shared pedestrian-car narrow space (like a long hotel lay-by) on York between Dalhousie and King Edward, but I have safety and visibility concerns.

Not sure how I feel with the lighting scheme of tall masts only along parts of York. Human scale lighting is an important part of the creating ambiance, so both should be included. They might be able to make the human-scale lighting removable for events, like the bollards.

There's one water feature on George, but I'd like to see more. With the summer heat we see nowadays, getting worse every year, water features are a good way to cool down.

EDIT: It appears restaurant terraces are, not quite forgotten, but not as prominent as they should be. They should be given a little more space than what is shown.

Post-Covid, we might see more builders, landlords and restaurateurs invest in more roof-top patios where ground level space is limited or non-existent.

How so? I was down in the Market last week, just for a coffee, and I couldn't believe how "flat" the place felt (weekday, mid-afternoon). The street closures can only help, I imagine.

[J.OT13]

Originally Posted by kwoldtimer

How so? I was down in the Market last week, just for a coffee, and I couldn't believe how "flat" the place felt (weekday, mid-afternoon). The street closures can only help, I imagine.

Joey's patio was completely full, but Clock Tower was maybe a quarter, if that. All other patios in the Market were abut half to full capacity.

[mykl]

Originally Posted by J.OT13

Joey's patio was completely full, but Clock Tower was maybe a quarter, if that. All other patios in the Market were abut half to full capacity.

Can confirm. I also walked by yesterday and noticed that Joey was full and Clocktower was sad. Maybe Joey benefits from more shade from the mall during the afternoon when people want to be on patios.

[J.OT13]

Finished going through the report. Pretty good plan IMO. I would have preferred if all north-south streets between Sussex and Dalhousie were made pedestrian only. I would have moved parking underground at the ends of York and George (or a large public parking garage under a redeveloped Courtyard by Marriott). Might not be possible to close any of the east-west streets completely due to parking garage entrances in a few modern buildings.

What I'm most excited about is the prospect of a re-configured Rideau/Sussex/Mackenzie/Colonel By. What dreadful pedestrian experience that is today. It's high-time the City and NCC get to work on that mess.