Council unanimously approves ByWard Market plan

Council today unanimously 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.

Council approves purchase of building to support family transitional housing

Council approved the purchase of 377 O’Connor Street for $45 million, plus applicable taxes and closing costs estimated at $2 million. The building has 120+ units and will be used as family transitional housing, providing families and children with stable, temporary accommodations while they access supports and work toward securing long-term housing. The building was previously operated as a hotel and all units include a full kitchen and bathroom. 

The acquisition will help reduce the City’s reliance on overflow hotels and motels for families, while supporting families on their path to stable, long-term housing.

Council approves updated model to support people experiencing homelessness 

Council approved a redesigned Unsheltered Homelessness Outreach Model to create a more coordinated and consistent system for supporting people experiencing unsheltered homelessness.  Through the updated model, a single lead provider will be responsible for delivering and coordinating outreach services citywide. It introduces centralized triage and dispatch, led by a dedicated team and accessed via 3-1-1, supporting clearer reporting mechanisms and improved responsiveness for residents and businesses. A key feature of the new integrated system is real-time case management and the use of warm transfers, helping to directly connect people to ongoing housing and health supports.

The model was developed through extensive engagement with community partners, service providers and people with lived and living experience in homelessness. It will be phased in throughout 2026, with centralized dispatch launching first and full implementation by the end of the year. The City will provide up to $6 million in the first year to the lead service provider, which will be selected through a competitive process

Council endorses updated Community Safety and Well-Being Plan 

Council approved a legislated, four-year review of the Community Safety and WellBeing (CSWB) Plan and endorsed a refreshed plan. All seven original priorities remain relevant, with residents identifying housing, mental well-being and financial security as top needs. The updated plan reflects those priorities and focuses upcoming actions on the issues that matter most to residents. The plan recommends exploring the expansion of the ANCHOR crisis response model and continued advocacy for stable provincial and federal funding. A new WellBeing in Ottawa dashboard will provide easier access to community level data.

Council enacts new Access By-law

Council also approved a new Access By-law to regulate the construction, use and maintenance of the portion of driveways and walkways that are in the City’s right of way and to clarify the work property owners can undertake, sometimes without the need for a permit. The new by-law replaces the Private Approach By-law.

The Access By-law aligns the rules for driveways with the new Zoning By-law and allows for modest driveway expansions or private walkways to connect to a sidewalk or roadway. The by-law will ensure consistent oversight, introduce flexibility for staff in approving the location and design of accesses, and cuts red tape for new construction.

Council approves settlement related to the 2016 sinkhole

Council received an in-camera legal update regarding the LRT project. During that update, Council approved a settlement reached under the Builders Risk Insurance Policy related to the June 2016 sinkhole that occurred during Stage 1 LRT construction. Through this settlement, the City will recover certain costs associated with that event. The terms of the settlement are confidential and protected and therefore cannot be disclosed publicly.

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