Committee approves ByWard Market plan

The Finance and Corporate Services Committee today approved a revitalization framework and coordinated redevelopment program for the ByWard Market. This responds to long-standing Council direction and advances the implementation of the Council-approved ByWard Market Public Realm Plan.

The framework aims to create a vibrant, welcoming, and inclusive historic market district with five interrelated areas of focus: 

• a destination market for all
• cultural identity
• safety and well-being
• welcoming routes and points of entry
• long-term public realm transformation

As part of this work, the City will convert the 70 Clarence Street garage to three-hour pay and display parking, 8:30 am to 7:30 pm weekdays and Saturdays, to help maintain convenient access while longer-term parking and mobility strategies are developed. These strategies include enhanced transit service, digital parking guidance, event shuttles, and expanded bicycle parking.

The redevelopment program puts this vision into action through a district-wide placemaking initiative that supports daily use, seasonal programming, and winter-friendly activities. It looks to improve access and mobility in the ByWard Market. This includes the rehabilitation and re-imagination of 55 ByWard Market Square to unlock its full potential as a vibrant, accessible, food-focused civic anchor that supports local vendors, community programming, and year-round activity. It would include rebuilding the municipal garage at 70 Clarence Street, with a potential cultural and arts hub with active ground-floor uses, potential residential units, and integrated parking solutions with the option of maintaining a parking facility on-site. The York Street Plaza (between Sussex Avenue and William Street) would be transformed into a flexible, people-centred civic plaza, capable of supporting daily use, cultural programming, winter amenities, and major events, while improving safety, accessibility, and connectivity.

The City will implement coordinated initiatives that strengthen frontline resources, support proactive interventions, expand social service supports, and create inclusive public spaces. Enhanced social supports such as the Unsheltered Homelessness Outreach Model, a collaborative multi-partner approach, will strengthen coordination with community partners to better support residents experiencing homelessness. Physical design improvements along the Rideau–Sussex Gateway and at Rideau Station will enhance safety and user experience. Enhancements to lighting, public art, cleaning, safety features, and temporary activations will improve vibrancy and mark the Market’s 200th anniversary.

Immediate steps include:

• $2.7 million for the design phase of 55 ByWard Market Square.
• $4.5 million for the design phase of the York Street Plaza.
• $200,000 to implement a parking replacement and access strategy.
• An options analysis for 70 Clarence Street, including a destination building concept, potential housing and maintaining a parking facility at the site.

Committee approves purchase of former hotel for housing

The Committee approved the purchase of 377 O’Connor Street for $45 million, plus applicable taxes and closing costs estimated at $2 million. The building, a former hotel which contains 128 units ranging from studios to one-, two-, and three-bedroom suites, will be used for family transitional housing. This purchase will ease current pressures on the shelter system and reduce the City’s reliance on using overflow hotels for shelter.

The building is move-in ready, with units featuring full kitchens, three-piece bathrooms and queen-size beds. The units vary in size with 74 studios, 51 one-bedrooms, two two-bedrooms, and one three-bedroom suite with the flexibility to combine units for larger families.

Staff recommit to strengthening Indigenous relations

The Committee approved staff’s renewed path forward for Indigenous relations. This represents a revitalized City commitment to reconciliation and truth-telling, to advancing Indigenous-led priorities as defined through relationships and engagement, and to strengthening the City's ability to uphold Indigenous rights and building a city that reflects Indigenous belonging, representation, and rights. Staff identified three key elements to guide this work:

• Reaffirming the City's ongoing commitment to advancing Indigenous-led priorities.
• Advancing the corporate mandate of the Indigenous Relations branch.
• Establishing an internal Indigenous Relations Interdepartmental Working Group.

Work is underway on all three priorities and staff will report back to Committee and Council on progress and achievements.

Committee authorizes the continuation of vote by mail option for the 2026 Municipal Elections

The Committee approved a by-law authorizing the continued use of a special mail-in ballot voting option for the 2026 Municipal Elections and any by-elections that may occur during the 2026–2030 Term of Council, and minor amendments to the City’s Contribution Rebate Program By-law. The Committee also approved establishing the 2026–2030 Election Compliance Audit Committee (ECAC), as required under the Municipal Elections Act. The ECAC reviews and makes decisions on applications for campaign finance compliance audits, and on reports from the City Clerk regarding potential contribution limit violations.

The 2026 Municipal Elections will take place on Monday, October 26, with special advance voting from Thursday, October 1, to Sunday, October 4, and an advance voting day on Friday, October 16.

City Council will consider the recommendations from today’s meeting on Wednesday, March 11.

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