BYWARD MARKET PUBLIC REALM PLAN - AS WE HEARD IT #2 SEPTEMBER TO NOVEMBER 2018 - CITY OF OTTAWA
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ByWard Market Public Realm Plan As We Heard It #2 September to November 2018 The Planning Partnership
Table of Contents Background 01 Introduction 01 Consultation Results 01 Public Life Study 02 Common Themes from Interviews 11 What We Heard - One-on-one Interviews 13 What We Heard - Roving Information Station 30
Background
The ByWard Market is one of the most well known destinations in Ottawa. This iconic
precinct’s cultural and heritage assets attract local residents as well as visitors from across
Canada and the world. The heritage public market building is at the ByWard Market’s
symbolic core, but the precinct has a diverse collection of original shops, boutiques,
retailers, restaurants and public spaces. Because of its economic and cultural contributions,
the City of Ottawa plans to ensure that the Market remains a popular and successful
destination in the future.
Introduction
The ByWard Market Public Realm Plan will the ByWard Market. More than 400 residents
provide direction and designs to beautify, participated in the consultation events between
organize and connect the ByWard Market’s September and November 2018.
public spaces to make them accessible,
inclusive, safe and inviting. Details of these consultation events were
communicated to residents using social media,
Public spaces are defined as city or the project webpage, e-newletters, flyers, and
government-owned, and are open and available public service announcements.
to all who choose to be in them. Public assets
to be studied in this project include: On September 20 and 22, 2018, the first Public
Life Study in the ByWard Market took place. The
• streets, study occurred from 9:00 am to 10:00 pm on
• sidewalks, Thursday and Saturday across seven different
• bike facilities, locations in the ByWard Market and was led by
• plazas, 8-80 Cities staff with support from more than
• squares, two dozen trained volunteers.
• parks,
• courtyards, On November 8, 2018, one-on-one interviews
• open spaces, were held at 55 ByWard Market Square from
• city-owned buildings, and 9:00 am to 8:00 pm. Participants scheduled
• city-owned parking lots. interviews beforehand and some dropped in.
On November 9, 2018 the team visited ByWard
The ByWard Market Public Realm Plan study is Market, Francois Dupuis Recreation Centre
being undertaken from September 2018 to late and Minto Recreation Centre with the Roving
2019, and will involve public and stakeholder Information Station to inform people that the
consultation throughout. study was underway and to collect input.
In addition, meetings were held with
Consultation Results representatives of the Ottawa Markets, ByWard
Market Business Improvement Association
Three in-person public consultation events were (BIA), Downtown Rideau BIA, Lowertown
held between September and November 2018 Community Association and ByWard
to find out from the public which spaces in the Standholders Association.
ByWard Market are working well and where
improvements could be made. The results of This report summarizes the results of the
these events will help guide the study towards responses collected from September to
creating a plan to improve public spaces in November 2018.
ottawa.ca/DesignByWard 1
Public Life Study
Round 1 (September 2018) Preliminary
Results
Public Life Studies provide a snapshot of This report presents the preliminary findings
tudy the daily rhythms and patterns of a public from the first round of Public Life Studies.
space. This will help the team to understand More detailed analysis of the findings will be
who visits ByWard Market, when they go, done on completion of two more rounds of
and what they do there. This information will Public Life Studies occurring in the winter and
inform the ByWard Market Public Realm Plan, summer of 2019.
and ground future decision-making with data.
aily rhythms and patterns of a public space. This
The first Public Life Study in ByWard Market
Market; when they
took go,
placeand
onwhat they September
Thursday, do there. 20, 2018
Market Publicand
Realm plan, and
Saturday, ground22,
September future
2018. The study
occurred from 9:00 am to 10:00 pm, and was
data.
implemented by 8 80 Cities staff with support
from more than two dozen trained volunteers.
ook place on Thursday, September 20 and
Method
om 9:00 am to 10:00 pm, and was implemented
an two dozen The
trained volunteers.
Public Life Study uses three tools:
• Travel counts to quantify the number of
people who walk, bike, or use mobility
devices to pass through a specific area
uses three tools: of ByWard Market. Travel counts are
conducted
ople who walk, bike, or use for 15 minutes
mobility every
devices tohour. The
results are multiplied by four to produce
rket. Travel counts
anare conducted
estimated travelfor 15 minutes
pattern for each hour
of the day.
ur to produce an estimated travel pattern for
• Behaviour Analysis identifies the number
f people who spend time inwho
of people a specific areainof
spend time a specific
ehaviour Analysis is conducted for 15 minutes they do
area of ByWard Market and what
there. Behaviour Analysis is conducted
ur to approximateforthe level of every
15 minutes activity forThe
hour. eachresults are
multiplied by four to approximate the level
of activity for each hour of the day.
om people who are in ByWard Market.
them to complete the voluntary
• Intercept Surveys survey.
collect qualitative data
from people who are in ByWard Market.
ndings from the first round approach
Volunteers of Public passers-by
Life Studies
and
invite them to complete the
Life Studies will take place in the winter and voluntary
survey.
ottawa.ca/DesignByWard 2
Public Life Study Locations
45 Volunteers
1. York and William Street Plaza
2. York and Sussex
3. George and Sussex
4. George Street Plaza
350 Surveys
5. Colonel By and Rideau Underpass
6. Clarence
Bonus: King Edward Ave. and York St.
7 Survey Locations
28 Hours of surveying
Preliminary Findings
How many people pass through ByWard What are the age ranges of people passing
Market each hour of the day? through at different times of the day?
Observations: Observations:
• Very few people pass through on bicycle • Overall, visitors to ByWard Market
• Lunch time and post-work bring the most represent diverse age ranges, with the
visitors on the weekday exception of children.
• It is consistently busy during the weekend • Very few children under the age of 14 visit
from noon onwards ByWard Market during the weekday. On
• Overall, ByWard Market is significantly average, this group comprises 2-3% of all
busier on weekends than weekdays visitors.
ottawa.ca/DesignByWard 3
Where do people pass through? • Location #3 (George St. and Sussex Dr.) is
the busiest location for cyclists
The charts show the number of people passing • Location #2 (York St. and Sussex Dr.) and
through the survey locations in ByWard Market Location # 5 (Colonel By Dr. and Rideau St.
on an average weekday and weekend day. Underpass) are the least busy locations on
both the weekday and the weekend
Observations: • On the weekend, the number of people
passing through increases by 40 – 155
• On the weekday, Location #1 (York St. and percent across all locations except for
ByWard Market Square) and Location #4 Location #4 (William St. and George St.)
(William St. and George St.) are the busiest which sees only a 10% increase
sites • Location #6 (Clarence St.) sees the
• On the weekend, Location #1 (York St. and largest increase of visitors on the weekend
ByWard Market Square) and Location #6 compared to the weekday, which speaks
(Clarence St.) are the busiest locations to its role as destination for nightlife and
entertainment
Where do people pass through?
These charts show us the total number of people passing through various locations in ByWard Market on an average weekday and
Weekday Weekend
g through various locations in ByWard Market on an average weekday and weekend day.
Observations:
Weekend
• On the weekday, Location #1 (York St. and ByWard Market Square) • On the weekend, the number of people passing thr
and Location #4 (William St. and George St.) are the busiest sites by 40 – 155 percent across all locations except for L
• On the weekend, Location #1 (York St. and ByWard Market Square) (William St. and George St.) which sees only a 10%
and Location #6 (Clarence St.) are the busiest locations • Location #6 (Clarence St.) sees the largest increase
• Location #3 (George St. and Sussex Dr.) is the busiest location for the weekend compared to the weekday, which spea
cyclists destination for nightlife and entertainment
• Location #2 (York St. and Sussex Dr.) and Location # 5 (Colonel By
Dr. and Rideau St. Underpass) are the least busiest locations on
both the weekday and the weekend
Market Square) • On the weekend, the number of people passing through increases
busiest sites by 40 – 155 percent across all locations except for Location #4 ottawa.ca/DesignByWard 4
Market Square) (William St. and George St.) which sees only a 10% increase
ons • Location #6 (Clarence St.) sees the largest increase of visitors on
What do people do throughout the day?
What
hese charts show do people
the total doofthroughout
number the place
activities taking day? in ByWard
Observations:
Market throughout the day on an average weekday and wee
Weekday These charts show the total number of
•
Sitting and taking photos are much more
ople do throughout
activities takingthe
placeday?
in ByWard Market Weekend
common activities on the weekend than
he total numberthroughout the
of activities day on
taking an in
place average
ByWardweekday
Market throughoutthe
theweekday
day on an average weekday and weekend day.
and weekend day.
• Overall, there are relatively few people
Weekend using secondary sitting which implies that
there are adequate facilities for public
ughout the day? seating
• The most
f activities taking place in ByWard Market throughout the day on an average common
weekday activitiesday.
and weekend are standing,
taking photos, sitting on a bench, and
Weekend sitting at a café or patio.
What do people do throughout the day?
These charts show the total number of activities taking place in ByWard Market throughout the day on an average
Weekday
Weekend
Observations:
Sitting and taking photos are much more common activities on the
weekend than the weekday
Overall, there are relatively few people using secondary sitting
which implies
g photos are muchthatmore
therecommon
are adequate facilities
activities on thefor public seating
he The most common activities are standing, taking photos, sitting on
weekday
a bench, and
e relatively sitting atusing
few people a café or patio. sitting
secondary
at there are adequate facilities for public seating
mon activities are standing, taking photos, sitting on
hting
moreat acommon activities on the
café or patio.
ay?
ople using secondary sitting
e in ByWard Market throughout the day on an average weekday and weekend day.
ate facilities for public seating
anding, taking photos,
Weekendsitting on
tio. Observations:
• Sitting and taking photos are much more common activities on the
weekend than the weekday
• Overall, there are relatively few people using secondary sitting
which implies that there are adequate facilities for public seating
• The most common activities are standing, taking photos, sitting on
a bench, and sitting at a café or patio.
ities on the
ottawa.ca/DesignByWard 5
sitting
Who spends time in ByWard Market?
Observations: • The percentage of children in ByWard
Market is low compared to the proportion
• The distribution of men and women in the of children age 0-14 living in Ottawa,
market is fairly equitable. This implies that which is 17 percent.
there is a good mix of activities available • The percentage of seniors spending time
that appeal to diverse audiences. It also in ByWard Market is also lower compared
implies that ByWard Market is considered to the proportion of people over the age
a safe space since women tend to be of 65 in Ottawa, which is 15 percent.
more selective about where they spend • Most people who spend time in ByWard
time. Market are between 25 – 44 years old.
• The percentage of children (0-14)
spending time in ByWard Market more
than doubles on the weekend (from 3
percent to 7 percent).
ottawa.ca/DesignByWard 6
What do people do throughout the day?
Where
hese charts show do people
the total numberspend time taking
of activities in ByWard
place in ByWard Market throughout the day on an average weekday and wee
Market?
Weekday
ople do throughout thetheday?
These charts show total number of •
Weekend
Location #2 sees a high turnover rate.
he total numberactivities happening
of activities in various
taking place locations
in ByWard onthroughout
Market Most visitors
the day come
on an to take
average photos
weekday of weekend
and (or day.
an average weekday and weekend day. with) the Ottawa sign and then leave.
Weekend • Location #4 is by far the most active on
Observations: the weekday, and is consistently busy on
ughout the day? the weekend, as well. This area also sees
• Location #1 is located closest to the area largest mix of activities.
f activities taking place in ByWard Market throughout the
with the highest travel counts but not day on an average
• Location weekday
#5 is and weekend
the least day.
active area, by far.
Where do people spend time in ByWard Market?
many people choose to stay here. The
Weekend
This is not surprising since it is designed
ratio of people staying, compared to the to function as a utilitarian passage.
number of people passing through, is • Location #6: Most people in this area are
These charts show the total number of activities happening in various locations on an average weekday and week
1:50. sitting on private patios.
• On the weekend, people are more likely to
flock to Locations #2, #4, and #6.
Weekday Weekend
Observations:
Sitting and taking photos are much more common activities on the
weekend than the weekday
Overall, there are relatively few people using secondary sitting
which implies
g photos are muchthatmore
therecommon
are adequate facilities
activities on thefor public seating
he The most common activities are standing, taking photos, sitting on
weekday
a bench, and
e relatively sitting atusing
few people a café or patio. sitting
secondary
at there are adequate facilities for public seating
ard Market?
mon activities are standing, taking photos, sitting on
hting
moreat acommon activities on the
café or patio.
g in various locations on an average weekday and weekend day.
ople using secondary sitting
ate facilities for public seating
anding, taking photos, sitting on
Weekend
tio. Observations:
• Location #1 is located closest to the area with the highest travel
counts but not many people choose to stay here. The ratio of
people staying, compared to the number of people passing
through, is 1:50.
• Location #2 sees a high turnover rate. Most visitors come to take
photos of (or with) the Ottawa sign and then leave.
• Location #4 is by far the most active on the weekday, and is
consistently busy on the weekend, as well. This area also sees
largest mix of activities.
• Location #5 is the least active area, by far. This is not surprising
since it is designed to function as a utilitarian passage.
• Location #6: Most people in this area are sitting on private patios.
• On the weekend, people are more likely to flock to Locations #2,
#4, and #6.
ottawa.ca/DesignByWard 7
est travel
atio ofIntercept Surveys
These surveys were completed by passers-
by during the Public Life Study. The results Intercept Surveys
are anonymous. The findings represent These surveys were completed by passers-by during the Pub
the preliminary results from 223 completed represent the preliminary results from 223 completed survey
surveys.
How do you identify yourself?
How do you identify yourself? Observations:
• The majorit
Intercept Surveys
Observations: • ByWard Ma
These surveys were completed by passers-by during the Public Life Study. The results are anonymous. The
• The majority of people who completed the
represent
survey the preliminary results from 223 completed surveys.
live in Ottawa.
• ByWard Market is a destination for people
whoHow
live in
dothe
youcity.
identify yourself?
Observations:
• The majority of people who completed the survey live in O
• ByWard Market is a destination for people who live in the
What is the purpose of your visit to ByWard Market?
What is the purpose of your visit to Observations:
ByWard Market?
• The majority of people (72%) visit ByWard
Market to shop or to eat.
• ByWard Market is a destination for social
activities like entertainment, nightlife, and
accessing culture. Combined, these three
purposes comprise 42% of all trips. Observations:
What is the purpose of your visit to ByWard Market?
• Very few people (7%) come to the Respondents selected
area for more practical purposes like
• The majority of p
appointments and to access services.
shop or to eat.
• ByWard Market is
like entertainmen
Combined, these
trips.
• Very few people (
practical purpose
services.
ottawa.ca/DesignByWard 8Intercept Surveys
Intercept Surveys
How long do you plan on staying in ByWard Market? How oft
How long do you plan on staying in
ByWard Market?
Observations:
• The majority of people (81%) plan on
staying for at least one hour. This shows
that ByWard Market offers a variety of
activities that encourage people to linger
in the area.
Intercept Surveys
Observations: Observa
How long do you plan on staying in ByWard Market? •How
Theoften do you
majority visit ByWard
of people (81%) Market?
plan on staying for • ByW
How often do you visit ByWard Market? at least one hour. This shows that ByWard Market • The
offers a variety of activities that encourage people time
Observations: to linger in the area.
• ByWard Market attracts a wide variety of
visitors.
• The majority of visitors (74%) come at
least several times per month.
Observations: Observations:
• The majority of people (81%) plan on staying for • ByWard Market attracts a wide variety of visitors.
at least one hour. This shows that ByWard Market • The majority of visitors (74%) come at least several
offers a variety of activities that encourage people times per month.
to linger in the area.
ottawa.ca/DesignByWard 9Intercept Surveys Write-in Responses:
How do you feel about ByWard Market? How would you rate your feelings of Write-in Re
How do you feel about ByWard Market? safetyRespondents were now
in this space right asked to write their Respondents
answers to the following questions. the following
analyzing the
What do you like most about ByWard
Market’s public spaces?
What do you
public space
• Respondents’ favourite public spaces
are the plazas. • Respond
• Respondents like the variety of plazas.
businesses, the vibrant atmosphere, • Respond
eys and the charm of the streets and the vibra
buildings. streets a
What would make you feel more safe in What would
this space? space?
• Respond
• Respondents’ top concerns are safety
How would you rate your feelings of cleanline
ByWard Market?
How Observations:
would you rate your feelings of safety Write-in
and Responses:
cleanliness of the streets.
• safety
in this space
The inright
this space
majority now?
of right(77%)
people now feel “positive” or “veryRespondents were
positive” about asked Market
ByWard to write their answers to
Respondent
Respondents’ top 3 public space
the following questions. We are in the process
• The majority of people (59%) feel “safe” or “very safe”
recommendations: tions:of
• 30% feel neutral about their safety analyzing these results in more detail. • Fewer ca
• 10% feel “unsafe” or “very unsafe” • Fewer cars in the market and more friendly a
What do you like most about ByWard Market’s
pedestrian friendly areas • More pla
public spaces?
• More places to sit • Improve
• Respondents’
• Improved parking favourite public spaces are the
plazas.
• Respondents like the variety of businesses,
the vibrant atmosphere, and the charm of the
streets and buildings.
What would make you feel more safe in this
space?
• Respondents’ top concerns are safety and
Observations: cleanliness of the streets.
ople (77%) feel “positive” or “veryofpositive”
• The majority people about
(77%)ByWard
feel Market Respondents’ top 3 public space recommenda-
ople (59%) feel “safe” or “very or
“positive” safe”
“very positive” about ByWard tions:
out their safety Market • Fewer cars in the market and more pedestrian
r “very unsafe” • The majority of people (59%) feel “safe” friendly areas
or “very safe” • More places to sit
• 30% feel neutral about their safety
• Improved parking
• 10% feel “unsafe” or “very unsafe”
ottawa.ca/DesignByWard 10Common Themes from Interviews
There was a tremendous number and range
of ideas expressed during the one-on-
one interviews held on November 8 and 9,
2018. The Common Themes, below, seek to
capture those ideas and desires that were
85 Interviews
most frequently heard. The full record of all
comments follows.
As the comments show, there is no one
universally accepted vision for how the public
realm of the ByWard Market should look or
Interview
03 Locations
function. In particular, there were opposing
opinions related to the balance of space
dedicated to pedestrians and vehicles. Many
people think there needs to be a significant
shift towards prioritizing pedestrian space
and removing or reducing vehicular space.
Others think that there needs to be more
700+ Comments parking and that it would be a mistake to
reduce vehicular space. In general, people
with existing businesses in the Market, who
feel their customers are reliant on easy
vehicular access and convenient surface
parking, did not want the current situation to
change.
There is common ground among interviewees
around accepting change in the Market
if the experience and atmosphere of the
ByWard Market is improved. Many people
commented that it should be cleaner, safer
and more beautiful.
Invest in the Market
• Recognize the ByWard Market is a
significant destination for residents and
tourists
• Invest in the public realm and the success
of the businesses to ensure the Market
remains vibrant
ottawa.ca/DesignByWard 11Pedestrian Priority Programming, Events and
Performances
• The Market does not provide enough
space for pedestrians. There are too • The Market should be animated year-
many cars in the Market round with programming and activities
• Create a better environment for people • Dedicated zones for performances and
walking in the Market, with more lighting, buskers should be created that are
benches, garbage cans, free wifi, etc. located away from loading areas and
• Close streets in the Market, either traffic. They should be simple, paved
temporarily (e.g. in summertime, or for areas that are flexible for different
events) or permanently. Some people functions
thought all the streets could be closed,
others thought individual streets such as
York, George, Clarence, ByWard Market
Greening
and/or William Streets should be closed
• The Market needs more trees, soft
• Crosswalks should be more visible and
spaces such as grass areas, and/or more
feel safer
planters
• Sidewalks should be more accessible,
with smoother surfaces, and space to
move and pass. Clear snow from the Social Issues
sidewalks in the winter
• Create good connections to the new • Solutions that positively engage the
transit station homeless community are needed (i.e.
• Provide public washrooms beyond this Public Realm Plan)
• Safety is a concern. Panhandlers, the
homeless and inebriated bar/club patrons
Parking and Servicing
make some people uncomfortable
• A greater sense of police visibility is
• There is a shortage of parking in the
desired
Market
• Taking away parking will hurt business.
People need to park close to where Kids
they buy food and large items such as
Christmas trees • There needs to be more things in the
• Surface parking in the Market is not a Market to attract children
key driver in deciding to visit the Market.
Removing it will allow the public realm Cycling
to be enhanced and create a unique
experience • There needs to be better cycling access
• Maintain and enhance loading, drop-off, in and through the Market
pick-up and servicing throughout the
Market
• Recognize the importance of loading,
drop-off, pick-up and servicing, but
establish defined hours and zones so that
it does not impact the quality of the public
realm
ottawa.ca/DesignByWard 12What We Heard - One-on-One Interviews
The following is a record of the comments shared during the one-on-one interviews that took
place at the ByWard Market in November 2018.
Comments are organized under the following
headings:
• Don’t Remove Parking Spaces
• Remove Parking Spaces
• Deliveries and Pick-ups
• 70 Clarence Street Garage
• Cost of Parking
• Car Share
• Prioritize Pedestrians
• Make Pedestrian Only Streets
• Don’t Make Pedestrian Only Streets
• Street Network
• Cycling
• Walkability
• Accessibility
• Transit
• Gateways
• Market Building
• Businesses
• Food Trucks
• Washrooms
• Tourism
• Activity, Programming, Events
• Performance Space
• Open Space
• Precedents
• Public Art
• Trees and Planters
• Seating
• Maintenance
• Lighting and Infrastructure
• Patios
• Social Issues, Safety, Security
• Development
• Investment
• Other
ottawa.ca/DesignByWard 13Don’t Remove Parking Spaces Would prefer creating a vibrant, exciting
experience, okay with taking away parking
Concerned about taking parking spaces out. spaces for this
We need parking spaces to serve regular
customers Get rid of the surface parking at York
Street, open it up for vendors and create an
Because of Inspiration Village parking ‘experience’ terminating at the Ottawa sign
was removed and it caused a tremendous
decrease in sales Take parking and cars out (but replace with
something)
Don’t want City to remove parking off York
Street. Need to keep parking and traffic Enhance the public realm by achieving
on ByWard Market and William Street. better pedestrian areas. Supportive of
Everything has to stay the same. If a family pedestrianization of streets, including
comes, they want to stay close by. It is about William and ByWard Market Square. Try
providing functional parking, not beautiful- further pedestrianization to York Street due
parking to tremendous amount of on-street parking.
Don’t even replace on-street parking with
Having more parking closer to ByWard underground parking. Reduce the amount of
Market would be very positive space in the core area dedicated to cars
Westboro, Beachwood, and The Glebe are all No curbs and no cars
accessible by car and people can still park
there Parking is an eyesore and unnecessary
Having pedestrian only streets is a fantasy On-street parking is not needed because
that won’t work. Pedestrians already have the most of the traffic is by foot. There is a
right of way mismatch with people not receiving enough
space
Don’t take away parking
Reuse surface parking lots along the edges
Don’t re-locate traffic away from the market of George Street. Walking around parking lots
is dangerous
ByWard Market is currently difficult to access
due to construction and lack of parking Open up ByWard Street for vendors. Don’t
want cars beside the stand
The market is just not accessible. There’s a
shortage of parking, and it will be worse if the Need a more nuanced approach to parking
City takes away more parking in the market
Ottawa sign removed 30 parking spaces, Create a vibrant and happy experience,
however it contributes less than what the taking away parking will have no impact
parking spaces did
Parking is not a concern
Remove Parking Spaces
Parking is not a main driver in deciding to
Not opposed to removing spaces from come to ByWard Market
York Street to create a pleasant walk to the
existing parking garage
ottawa.ca/DesignByWard 14Parking is not a concern because I walk Delivery issues. People get ticketed from 7-10
everywhere am
Parking is not an issue to this business. Most Summertime vendors unload trucks, park all
people take public transit day in the on-street parking
Deliveries & Pick-ups Gas smell from cars idling all day
People need to bring flowers and heavy items Close streets down for a certain time,
to their cars deliveries should come before 10
Making the market more pedestrian friendly Tried one year of valet service. It bombed
could be good but have major concerns
about parking. People shopping for food will Parcel pick-up did not work, young
need an area to park their cars to carry their ambassadors were not attentive
bags. Allow pick-up and deliveries
70 Clarence Street Garage
Limit circulation on certain streets. Allow time-
of-day deliveries (William and ByWard Market There would be traction if the City was
St.) to put 70 Clarence Street up for sale for
a new public building in a public-private
Allow for store deliveries and customer pick- partnership. The building should have
ups. Deliveries are not time-controlled. An underground parking.
idea would be to put time constraints, we
wouldn’t be opposed to that Use 70 Clarence street as a new public
building, with a theatre, needle exchange,
Not opposed to time-constrained deliveries conference meeting rooms, public
(maybe morning only, before business open) washrooms etc.
Provide delivery zones where heavy goods There’s an opportunity to take the 70
can be brought to people’s cars. Clarence garage down, provide one level of
underground parking under York Street, and
All-terrain vehicles could be located around build a new market building
the market to help bring heavy goods, like
Christmas trees, to customers parked further York St is to become a divided grand
away boulevard, without the interruption from the
parking garage at 70 Clarence St.
Keep 15-min drop-off and loading zones as
it helps people get to cars, families with kids, There are safety issues with the 70 Clarence
etc. St parking garage
Shutting off the area to vehicles will kill If the parking garage is removed, we need to
businesses. Need to allow deliveries and pick provide a pick-up and drop-off zone around
ups that area
No delivery window now
Need to have deliveries in the market
ottawa.ca/DesignByWard 1570 Clarence St parking garage could be We should allocate space for driver-less
placed underground. Tour buses could then vehicles within the parking garages
be parked in the new parking garage. Or
move tour bus parking completely away from Prioritize Pedestrians
the market area
Public spaces are dedicated to cars with little
70 Clarence St to go, add underground to no pedestrian areas
parking, and line up the new building wall
with existing property and make a beautiful Understand people need to get to the market
York St promenade but vehicles are an issue. Too many vehicles
10-year life span, take garage down, build Improve street environment (lighting, street
parking underground, offer a 60 year quality, benches, ground cover) and then
concession operations (maintenance, parking garages
and on-street parking, free wifi, garbage
If the ByWard Market area is to become cans, hand-washing stations)
a hub for people, a parking garage in the
middle of the area is sending the wrong Lacking infrastructure for the amount of
message people who come here
The garage is in a prime spot that could be Reduce width of traffic lanes on George
anything other than parking Street
All parking should be underground. It is Limit car traffic
important to have cars, but parking could be
located underground. Replace parking with Reduce cars to make it quieter
pedestrian-uses to promote ByWard Market
Simplify road network around, including
Cost of Parking Rideau Street
Affordable parking needs to be provided. George Street parking area needs to be more
People are worried about getting parking animated if it’s used for public space
tickets and overpaying for parking
Area of concern includes William St, George
Parking needs to be less expensive. Free St and York St from Sussex to Dalhousie
parking on weekends
York Street should be a woonerf from Sussex
Pay $180 a month to park off-street to Dalhousie, lined with trees. Families would
be more likely to settle in this area
The cost of parking in garages is too
expensive for vendors Instead of curbs, just cobblestones. One level
street only
Not enough free parking (have free parking
on weekdays)
Car Share
It would be great to provide space for
VRTUCAR
ottawa.ca/DesignByWard 16Make Pedestrian Only Streets Too much on street parking is part of the
problem
Close William and ByWard Street
Eliminate on street parking - don’t replace it.
If York Street was reclaimed as a pedestrian But need to weigh pros and cons first
plaza, we could add an ice skating rink,
vendors, and a public plaza Pedestrian accessibility is a thorny issue
Pedestrianize streets for events Restrict cars, especially in the summer. Be
flexible – close streets at dinner time
Favours pedestrian experience
Too hard to figure out where to cross. Not well
Make York, George, Clarence Streets like the defined. Needs to be more walkable
courtyards
Close down William, don’t touch ByWard
Most traffic is by foot and yet all the sidewalks
are crowded, there are competing uses, When they close the streets, my business
ByWard Market stalls face the wrong way, stops
walk through the Market can be a challenge
If you take away 30 parking spaces say 3%
Inspiration Village highlighted that on-street not 30 spaces
parking could be used for better uses
George Street needs to be more animated if
Close George St to traffic entirely or remove it’s used for public space
some car lanes
People circling for parking spaces makes it
William and ByWard Market Square next difficult for pedestrians
to the market building could become
pedestrianized We have to shut down the street, no cars
Streets beside the market building should be Pedestrian-only streets are great but we also
pedestrianized due to safety concerns and need to consider the needs of retailers and
pedestrian volumes shoppers
When all streets are closed for cars, the Don’t Make Pedestrian Only Streets
restaurants run out of food and space
When there are major events in the Market,
Expand food hub beyond Mothers Day to food sales go down. Road closures affect
Labour Day – extend the market into ByWard sales. Having people in the area doesn’t turn
Market square with glass box over the street. into more sales
Making it a pedestrian area could be If people can’t get there with their car, people
advantageous, need to animate won’t go shop there. Example Sparks Street
Push cars to perimeter areas Taking away vehicle access will make people
order things online. We need to make sure
Encouraged by idea to close some streets people still come to brick-and-mortar places
Pilot some of the other streets like York street.
Don’t close down William
ottawa.ca/DesignByWard 17Don’t think about making it a pedestrian only Better connectivity of cycling networks. The
market market is not cycling friendly due to the
majority of car-use
Inspiration Village was half way done. York
Street got a water fountain. It’s a gateway More bike parking is needed, especially near
from the hill to the market when blocked off. the market vendor stalls. Potentially remove
There are still cars on either side and still cars one on-street parking spot and replace with
circling it. It never got to where it could be bike parking
Worried about closing the streets Integrate more biking through the market but
don’t eliminate parking for cars
A lot of business comes from people circling
the market in their car As a cyclist coming to the market from the
north, there is no way into the market once
Right now there’s plenty of room for you arrive at Clarence St as all streets are
pedestrians one way northbound. Please provide a bike
lane southbound on either William or ByWard
Street Network Market square
Most people come down from Sussex and Support cycling and pedestrians
into York Street
Better connectivity with cycling network
Why does George have to be a through
street? No bicycle connections here
York does not need to be a through street Cars blow through stop signs, not safe for
cyclists in the market
Limit circulation on some streets. Close traffic
on Clarence and ByWard Trucks ruin the pedestrian and cycling
experience
Cycling
ByWard market and William need to have
The Market itself is not bicycle friendly. Add bikes access north of Clarence
more cycle friendly areas for people in the
market Mackenzie Ave bi-directional bikeway is good
Create better connections with the Sussex Bike lane north on Mackenzie to St. Patrick
bike lane to get into the centre of the Market
Destination to cycle to from Vanier
Active tourism and cycling tourism is gaining
tremendous momentum, so make the market Walkability
more cycle friendly
Currently, all the infrastructure favours cars
Make Ottawa the green capital of Canada.
Place a strong emphasis on pedestrian and Walking around parking lots is dangerous
cyclist infrastructure
Trucks at Hudson’s Bay blocks the sidewalk
and creates unsafe pedestrian conditions
ottawa.ca/DesignByWard 18Dalhousie is very unfriendly for pedestrians Visitors walk up from transit, through the
as there is high traffic volumes and cars market and west on York to Sussex
running red lights. Large volumes of people
are not prioritized at intersections Accessibility
Increase the enforcement of cars and Traveling around the ByWard Market in the
deliveries parking on sidewalks winter with snow is very difficult. Accessibility
is a main concern
Change signal times throughout the market
area so that pedestrians are prioritized The pavement is cracked and slippery. Curb
by giving them more time and potentially cuts aren’t well placed. The area is very
scramble intersections difficult to circulate. A “very rough ride”.
Should be more walkable
Concerned about kids being hit by a
car. There are short blocks with lots of Very difficult to circulate on Clarence Street
intersections due to narrow sidewalks and all the patios,
especially in the evenings, or during the
Pedestrian focused areas to make it easier for winter with snow-covered areas
people to move through
I don’t feel welcomed in the ByWard
Reduce automobile traffic. Too much bad Market, whether it is architectural barriers or
auto traffic. Difficult to move both cars and environmental
people
Have seen people outside the ByWard Market
Trade off between cars and other users. trying to figure out where the crosswalk is and
Should dramatically tilt it in favour of how to navigate the streets
pedestrians
Need accessible, well maintained and clear
Getting more and more difficult to walk here sidewalks
Could be wonderful people place, instead it’s There are a lot more vehicles during the
parking lots and high speed traffic winter, and require good snow removal
operations, especially for sidewalks
Something has to be done to slow down the
traffic It is frustrating to see roadways perfectly
clear and sidewalks unplowed
Sidewalks are crowded
Transit
The intersection of York and ByWard Market
is very dangerous as drivers are trying to The LRT provides an opportunity to make
move fast through that area the area even more walkable by connecting
Sandy Hill, ByWard Market and Parliament Hill
There is a main truck route on King Edward
which limits the market area. It is surrounded LRT will not help as customers will not take
by trucks on all sides their produce into the train
Need to conduct pedestrian counts LRT will not fix everything. People who live
in suburban areas do not want to bring their
kids and strollers in the bus/train
ottawa.ca/DesignByWard 19Lots of retail vacancy, partly because of LRT Create gateways
construction
Market Building
Security concerns about panhandlers at the
Rideau LRT station entrance. Gates will be The second floor of the ByWard Market could
downstairs so there is potential for anti-social be better used. Activities and workshops
behavior and potential crime could take place on the second floor
Hoping that the new subway will help people If the market building is dead, the entire
find the Market more easily market is dead
People would appreciate coming out of the If the market is lost everything is lost
station and into the market
Hope the train will create more visitors Bring the farmers market back
Provide a free shuttle service to ByWard The building is the heart of the market
Market from around Ottawa and other malls
(i.e. Place d’Orleans) The market is original, but needs a face lift
Great connections available on Rideau but no Would love to see a revival of the market.
where else within the market area. Enhance What previously was retail/food, is now bars
bus services along Dalhousie or King Edward and restaurants
streets
Businesses
There should continue to be a provision for
Tour Bus parking, but make them flexible as Do a survey of retailers and see if they are
there is more demand in the summer/fall and making money and what they want out of
less during other times of the year ByWard Market
Provide a small free shuttle to bring people to Concerned about improving the market while
the market also maintaining affordable business rent
prices
Gateways
Don’t need more bars in the area
William Street is the entrance to the ByWard
Market precinct and the York Street steps are More varied businesses
the exit
More like the Distillery District – shops and
Provide gateways to the market that restaurants
announces ‘this is now the market’, like
Chinatown Varied businesses – 365 days a year
Important to connect the street with Major’s Need more regular retail. Currently lots of
Hill Park via York Street steps specialty shops. Should be less high-end
Simplify both ‘nodes’ and enhance pedestrian Have a location for start-ups and a rotation of
connections between Centretown and upcoming designers
ByWard Market area
Too many restaurants
ottawa.ca/DesignByWard 20A lot of retail vacancies Tourism
Businesses are failing Attract tourists and people from outside of
this ward
Rent is too high for the paying capacity of
customers. NCC needs to lower their rent Provide a unique product, strengthen outdoor
vending and make this area an ‘experience’
Stores are too small and charge too much
Make this area a destination
Businesses are going down. Hate to see this
being the end of the market Most visited spaces in Ottawa. Continue to
make this a better place for Ottawa
Food Trucks
One of the first things tourists go see. It
Is there an area for food trucks? How about represents Canada
later on, after 9pm, when restaurants are
closed? They could park on existing parking We need to attract more people. Need more
spaces. tourism
Washrooms Put a tourism kiosk in the market area or have
people walking around streets with maps
Need public toilets that are accessible
Consider the historic background of the
Public toilets with sustainable options (rain Market to use as a ‘theme’ to attract people.
water collector, dual flush etc.) Once you find the ‘theme’ you can find who
will want to come and explore it
Outdoor public washrooms
The market is getting lost amongst the
Provide public washroom upstairs. Need parking, tour buses and crowds of people
public washrooms that consider all needs
People often visit Ottawa and go home and
Outdoor public washrooms are key in say ‘Ottawa was boring’
creating a ‘destination’
This is not an area for tourists, it needs to
Would be willing to dig up ByWard Market cater to real residents who purchase the
Square for water station and public goods.
washrooms
Tour buses come from November to April
Public washrooms need to be accessible
Make it a destination for other residents and
Place public washroom centrally, take 4 for tourists
parking spaces out
Public washrooms in the Market are not
accessible, and the cost of cleaning is
expensive
Public fountains to refill bottles
ottawa.ca/DesignByWard 21Activity, Programming and Events No programming, garbage bins are full,
planters are not weeded
Let’s figure out ways to get more people here
More events – target tourists, kids, students,
If the market is stagnant, people will go to Seasonal festivals, music, arts, international
other places. The majority of shoppers are folk dance
locals who live in Ottawa and come to the
ByWard Market because of its ambiance Market sales are down during big events.
Having more people here does not
Not enough good 24 hour use. Not enough necessarily turn into more sales
reason to come down during the day
Not just summer focused – year round
Need things to animate the spaces, and events. Market is open 365 days a year
make it prettier for people to walk through
We need animating in both summer and
Beautiful area that attracts people winter
Anything that brings people down here is Program the market during the winter
good for business
The ByWard Market area could be livelier
Bring more people to the market throughout the year and more welcoming
Nothing to do here Ottawa locals don’t come to the market
during the winter. Need to create an animated
No reason to stay or necessarily come atmosphere and a ‘fun place to be’
Activities could be encouraged in the market In winter, Ottawa locals don’t come to the
area market as much. Create a fun place to be all
year long
Not enough things happening/events in the
market and losing tourism Animate the market during the winter
‘What’s New in the Market’ isn’t current Year-long programming for the market area
that is advertised, and people are aware of
Events don’t necessarily have an impact on
their business A Christmas Market to animate the market in
the winter. There isn’t much that happens in
It’s most important that the market be the market during the winter and the market
populated becomes a sad place
Feels festive when there’s lots of people in the There is a Christmas Market at Lansdowne
market but ByWard Market could have one too
I do think it’s working – there’s a lot of life. The market is very busy from Mothers Day to
Every visitor to Ottawa should come here Labour Day
More events This could be a fantastic place in the winter.
Give us a chance to enjoy it
ottawa.ca/DesignByWard 22Inspiration Village was a great example of Successful places around the world that
doing something minimal that animated the have more people watching performances
area and brought a lot of traffic. When La are where the most pedestrianized areas are.
Machine was here last year it brought a lot of Good examples include Boston, Sydney and
sales Melbourne (very long streets which allow
people to stop and watch performances)
Fire pits in the winter. Similar to Tremblant
Village Large flat open area, that doesn’t obstruct
traffic, is best for performances
South Nation Conservation Authority geo-
caching. Opportunity to make a treasure-hunt Large and flat areas are the best for street
in the market area related to historic places performances. No bleachers, no seating, no
and events grade elevations. Things that don’t obstruct
traffic, like planters or benches. Pavers or
Setting up scooter rentals concrete will be fine, no grassed areas.
Promote the area with bocce ball games, Would be ideal to have a specific work
other simple things location for street performers so there isn’t a
conflict with market and BIA activities
During the winter time, make it more like a ski
village The best spot for public performance would
Ice carving in market this year be in front of the ByWard Market building
itself and by the Ottawa sign art
There’s no place to put a big Christmas tree
Space near the Ottawa sign could be a good
Christmas street/Christmas village location - but now there’s too much traffic
Harvest festival, like upper Canada village Would perform in the winter if there were
crowds
More wagon rides
Street performances would cost around
Project films outdoors within the Arts Court $1,000 if they weren’t free. Would like to be
included in promotional materials as other
Performance Space vendors and retailers are
Visibly define areas where public The Market does not include performers in
performances take place and move them anything, they feel like they are bothering the
indoors during winter to animate the market Ottawa Markets and BIA
Invite circus groups to animate the market William St and George St is where
area performances used to take place historically
Need softer spaces and better performance Number of people watching the show: around
spaces 500 people to max 2,000 people. 400 shows
in the summer
Loading area behind Hudson’s Bay as a
performance site is not good, as people are Will have more opportunities if the street is
not wanting to stop closed
ottawa.ca/DesignByWard 23Performers work almost every day from The market is full of cars. Would love to see
spring to September many more public spaces and destinations
for people to spend time in the Market area
Good performance space is in front of the
Market Building Make better uses of the public areas we
already have i.e. York Street greenery and
Musicians favourite spot is in front of Beaver patios on the north side of the street
Tails
Don’t need to add more public spaces, the
Best pitches are open on all sides canal is only seconds away. Already have
spaces blocked off that are never used – at
Buskers draw the crowd to the market Tuckers Market. Buskers in courtyard that no
one uses other than in the peak of summer
Should not have busking spots at end of
buildings, it interrupts vendors One of the coldest cities in the world –
doesn’t make sense to plan for only 2 months
Performers would like to have a more secure of the year
space to prevent conflict
Love the cafes and sidewalks in front of Zak’s.
Open Space Great place to have a drink and watch people
Provide ‘softer’ spaces for sitting and Large space for festivals, like Lansdowne.
standing (Tremblant Village during Jazz Fest). Near York where Ottawa sign is. Room for
A bigger space surrounded by smaller ‘softer’ 3,000 people
spaces to animate the area
Courtyards could be inspired by New York
Need to provide an area for kids to play City. They have chairs, tables, backgammon
(ideally it would be canal/Rideau River/ games, mobile libraries, for the residents to
heritage inspired) meet and socialize, yoga in the park, bocce
ball
Kid-zones need to be provided in the market
area and around Ottawa. Simple playgrounds Make better use of what we already have e.g.
for kids, interactive stations/informational/ green space on York
educational/solar-powered
Need more of the space at the front of the
Want kids to feel part of it, need to use it market
Like that George Street Plaza is open and the Love that there’s changes. Make new
building is visible, seating is great, greenery mistakes that are exciting and different. Great
is missing spaces are a result of happy accidents
George Street plaza is working well Spent lots of money building the square,
screwed it up with traffic poles. Signs might
George St Plaza is a great idea, but is cut as well say ‘we don’t like you here’
off from William St Mall because of cars and
deliveries Precedents
In the ByWard Market area there are no parks Whistler Blackcombe, Tremblant, Nordic
for residents to go to European cities, ski villages
ottawa.ca/DesignByWard 24Old Montreal and Place des Arts Encourage art and artists in the market
Victoria, BC. Family-friendly, pocket parks for Live demonstrations with local artists in the
families and kids, with green space market area
Lansdowne park is less than desirable Make references to the area’s history by
experience. But it is a successful model placing pictures/boards outside
Distillery District is a great model. Grenville York street with art cube installations
Island is also interesting and very
comparable Monument at George Street plaza is the
wrong material and the historic plaque is
Inspired by New York City, with parks rusting
everywhere. Public parks are maintained by
the City and in good shape Trees and Planters
Plaza/parking lot with chairs behind Stratford Rideau Street is a missed opportunity in
city hall terms of tree planting and greening. New
Ogilvy Square is denuded of trees. Trees
Fanueil Hall in Boston (street performance should be systematically incorporated in
program and advertising) construction of new streets. Main Street is a
good attempt but not quite successful
Area behind Kingston City Hall is a great
space as there are many ‘entrances’ from the Trees are missing at George Street Plaza, it
adjoining streets is a very grey space. Especially when the
outdoor market stalls are empty at the end of
Public Art the season
Put high-quality public monument/art in this Green the market and green areas within the
area blocks
The Ottawa-letters sign is a magnet Trees not systematically incorporated into
new projects (Main Street in old Ottawa and
Ottawa sign is working well to get people to Bank Street)
the market and spend time
Lacking trees - very grey space in the fall and
Anything like the Ottawa sign is good. Have winter
two or three events every year
No budget for plants and planter
Needs to be ‘Instagram-able’ maintenance. Planters are also made for
sitting but metal benches/planters rust and
George St could include a very large teepee wood ones disintegrate
with a stage and chairs. This would increase
animation, artists, public space etc. Set aside Make sure to plant in the right seasons
a budget to animate the teepee and show
first-nations culture No more plastic flowers to decorate the area
Have Ottawa/Canada Arts Council partner Beautify the market. More trees and more use
with artists on a project to animate the area of the planters. Better maintenance. Abolish
ottawa.ca/DesignByWard 25concrete planters. For a market that sells get their patrons to help with cleanliness and
flowers – like The Grand and Aulde Dubliner to give them jobs
Greenery and planting. Vibrancy. Colours Pick up cigarette butts and address littering
George St Plaza is a great start but lacks Provide ashtrays as part of garbage cans so
greenery and colour. It could be prettier that cigarette butts are not littering the streets
Tulips for tulip festival and summer planting The ByWard Market building itself is a bit dirty
and unkempt
More greenery, more flowers
Make the area cleaner and prettier
Seating
City should stop ripping up the sidewalk
Tables and chairs at George Street plaza
absorb the heat during the summer and Lighting and Infrastructure
people sitting down can get burned
Decorative and brightly lit areas. There should
Heated outdoor seating areas with market be more than functional lighting at night time
stalls year-round
Better lighting, especially for shows in the
People don’t have a place to sit, it’s dirty evening and night
Taken all the benches away Lighting beyond the ByWard Market square is
important
Benches and bleachers
Improve the physical environment,
More benches wayfinding, lighting – lift up the rest of the
area
Adirondack chairs in a space with shade
All of the trees could be wrapped with white
Need more areas like George St Plaza around lights
the market with seating
White lights, not just seasonal decoration
Maintenance
Have been asking for better lighting.
More recycle bins Performances have to stop when the sun
goes down
Provide recycling bins
Need shade in the market
Recycling bins and compost bins (avoid all
non-compostable/disposable dishes and Public street lighting
cups)
Not enough lighting
Don’t remove garbage cans during the winter
Need infrastructure to support outdoor
Encourage visitors and community to keep vending and a broader retail mix
the area clean
Partnership with local homeless shelters to Need power outlets in the street for vendors
ottawa.ca/DesignByWard 26You can also read
