I had a great time this week at the Winter Trail volunteer appreciation breakfast. I joined with councillors Kavanagh, King, Tierney, Dudas, Leiper and Plante to thank some of the residents who give their time to groom and maintain the trails along the Ottawa and Rideau Rivers for cross-country skiing.
These trails are a great grassroots initiative that contribute to the livability of our city. A great big thanks to everyone who has helped out. Next year we are trying to extend the Rideau Winter Trail in Capital Ward across Bank Street and into Vincent Massey Park to connect with the new pedestrian bridge leading to Carleton University. We will be working with partners to hopefully see it come to fruition.
New Rideau River pedestrian bridge
We’re looking forward to getting the new Rideau River pedestrian bridge between Carleton University and Vincent Massey Park open. We continue efforts with Rideau Transit Maintenance and city staff to get this done. It’s been frustrating to see the bridge so close to completion for so long, waiting for some final touches. Staff have told us that crews are getting the last of the necessary materials before they can finish up. We will keep pressing to get this bridge open as soon as possible so it can be enjoyed in the Summer.
Lansdowne 2.0 procurement model chosen
This week, city council selected the procurement and project delivery method for Lansdowne 2.0. As mentioned in the last bulletin, we have significant concerns about the delivery model, as well as the project, overall, and I voted against the chosen delivery model at council. You can read my full comments on our website.
Lansdowne benches
At Lansdowne Park, there are many inexpensive quality of life improvements we can make that attract people. We led an initiative and Parks staff have now installed new seating, with planters and umbrellas to come in Aberdeen Square. We’re glad to see this arrive in time for the good weather.
They are all easily moveable for Farmers Market Days and other events. Come out and enjoy!
Lansdowne 2.0 stands in stark contrast to the type of quality-of-life initiative described above. We can do so much better as a city when we listen to people.
Register for the Glebe Community Safety Forum
Join the Glebe Community Association, the Glebe Neighbourhood Activities Group, the Glebe Business Improvement Area, public health experts and our office for a discussion on community safety. Learn more about services in the Glebe, how these complex issues are being addressed and resources that are available.
Everyone is welcome.
The Glebe Community Safety Forum will take place on May 2nd from 7:00-9:00 pm at The Glebe Community Centre. Register here.
Making small business patio user fees more affordable
During the pandemic, the city had eliminated the fee for restaurants to set up patios in the city right-of-way. This was seen as a way to support businesses and make our streets livelier. Last year, fees had been 50% what they had been pre-pandemic and as part of the city’s 2024 budget, the intention was to bring the fees back up to the pre-pandemic level.
As part of the budget deliberations, I gave a direction to staff with the Mayor’s support to monitor city finances and look for ways to lower the patio fees and report back.
This month, staff reported back and confirmed that we did not need to return the patio fees back to their full pre-pandemic level. Instead, they are increasing to 75% this year to give a bit more breathing room to businesses.
We’re happy that we could come to this solution. More needs to be done to support our small businesses in the core.
Transit Commission update
At this month’s Transit Commission meeting, staff gave an overview of OC Transpo’s scheduling process [PDF]. The process is important to provide the best service possible for customers and incorporates feedback from numerous sources, including bus operators and members of the public. An interesting deep dive, if you are so inclined.
The next meeting for Transit Commission will be on May 31 and will be a joint meeting with the Light Rail Sub-Committee. It’s expected to have a heavy agenda including:
- Deep dive on O-Train South Extension
- Stage 2 LRT update
- Axle bearings update (RTG sustainable solution)
- Results: fare compliance initiative
- Annual maintenance of O-Train Line 1
Before the meeting, the agenda will be published online.
If you’re interested in delegating, you can contact the Committee Coordinator Eric Pelot at [email protected] or (613) 580-2424, ext. 22953.
28th Scouts Pasta Dinner, Silent Auction and Family Fun Night
The 28th Ottawa Scouts are trying to raise money for their international trip this summer to Washington, DC, and South Carolina. They are hosting an amazing pasta dinner and silent auction on April 26 from 5:30 to 7:30pm at Rideau Park United Church, 2203 Alta Vista Drive.
For tickets please email: [email protected] or purchase through Stripe and pick your tickets up at the dinner:
- Adult tickets: https://buy.stripe.com/5kA4j97Pe8Z642A6ou
- Kids tickets: https://buy.stripe.com/fZe7vl2uUa3abv2149
Your Capital Ward
Photo by Mariah LaRose
If you have a photo you’d like to share in an upcoming bulletin, please send it to [email protected], with the subject line Your Capital Ward. Please give us your name for attribution…or tell us if you’d rather not have your name shared.
Celebrate Spring into Spring!
Spring into Spring is an event that encourages students to arrive at school by walking and wheeling their way to school in the sunshine (and likely a few puddles and snow melt!). Walking to school in the spring is o encourage students to get to know their neighbourhoods and communities and engage in the many benefits of active transportation.
Enjoy the quality time you get to spend with your family as you travel to school together! Check out this poster for activity ideas to celebrate Spring into Spring.
Spring flood update
The City of Ottawa is working with conservation authorities and Ottawa River Regulation Planning Board to monitor all rivers and tributaries in and affecting Ottawa.
Flows and levels are expected to continue increasing on the Ottawa River over the next few days and should start decreasing later this week. Minor flooding in low-lying areas may occur over the next week. Low-lying areas are those locations that regularly flood during the spring freshet period.
In anticipation of possible localized flooding, the city is installing new sandbag filling stations in the following communities.
- Lighthouse Lane
- 128 Moorhead Drive
- Len Purcell Community Centre in Constance Bay
- Dead end of Greenland at Armitage
- Petrie Island
For information on water levels and flood plains, see the following websites:
- Mississippi Valley Conservation Authority
- Ottawa River Regulation Planning Board
- Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry
- Ontario Power Generation
- Rideau Valley Conservation Authority
- South Nation Conservation
Find out if your home is in a flood plain.
Calling all #OttCity youth—the Paint It Up! Program is for you!
This summer, Paint It Up! is the perfect way for young people to flex their artistic muscles, get involved in their community, and have some fun in the sun. If you’re looking for ideas for fun summer activities, look no further!
The Paint It Up! youth engagement program works with non-profits to promote the use of outdoor murals to:
- Support local arts and culture
- Enhance the city’s beauty for residents and visitors
- Engage youth in positive skill-building experiences
- Support vandalism prevention, community safety and the beautification of Ottawa neighbourhoods through youth empowerment and community arts
Youth recruitment and participation in the program is an independent decision-making process handled by the organization’s project leads on each approved project. Once the 2024 projects are confirmed and announced on Wednesday, May 1, they will be posted on the Paint It Up page on ottawa.ca. Any youth, or parent of a youth, between the ages of 12 and 25 will then be able to contact the organizations directly if they are interested in participating.
So get your paint brushes ready – your time to shine is coming!
City sponsored Repair Café
In honour of Earth Day, the City of Ottawa, in collaboration with the Ottawa Tool Library is sponsoring a Repair Café! On Saturday, April 20, visit Jean Pigott Place (inside Ottawa City Hall) at 110 Laurier Avenue West for free repairs of electronics, clothing, small appliances, jewelry, and more. Visit Ottawa.ca/WasteReduction for event details and to see all City Sponsored upcoming Repair Café. Choosing to repair rather than replace is cost effective and helps reduce waste.
Glebe Avenue Integrated Renewal—Road closure and bus detour
The City of Ottawa is replacing the aging underground infrastructure on Glebe Avenue (between Bank Street and O’Connor Street) as part of the City’s ongoing replacement of critical infrastructure.
Glebe Avenue (between Bank Street and O’Connor Street) will be closed to through traffic. Local traffic access to private properties, in addition to pedestrian and cycling access, will be maintained throughout the construction period. This section of Glebe Avenue will be temporarily converted to allow two-way local traffic access.
To maintain bus services in your community, OC Transpo route 56 (King Edward) will be detoured north via Bank Street to Isabella Street, bypassing Glebe Avenue, O’Connor Street, Strathcona Avenue and Metcalfe Street. Bus stops no.6843, 7631, 6853, 7632 and 2428 will be temporarily out-of-service. Alternative service will be provided at a temporary bus stop on the east side of Bank Street, between Glebe Avenue and Clemow Avenue, and at existing bus stops along Bank Street and Isabella Street, as shown below. For further details please visit www.octranspo.com/alerts.
More information about the project can be found at ottawa.ca/GlebeAvenueRenewal.
