Jack Hanna
Top executive speaks of NCC’s plans in Centretown
Hear all about what the NCC has in store for its Centretown holdings, such as roadways, parks, and the canal.
Alain Miguelez, the NCC’s vice-president of capital planning and its chief planner, is the keynote speaker at the CCA’s AGM on Tuesday, January 30. He will speak of the NCC’s plans for the heart of Ottawa and especially Centretown.
To obtain a Zoom link for the AGM, email: jack.2014@icloud.com. All are welcome.
CCA seeks new board members with communications savvy
CCA members will elect new directors at their AGM on Tuesday, January 30.
This year, the CCA is seeking candidates with communications expertise to assist with the community association’s social media, email, and newsletter.
A candidate interested in running for president or joining the board of directors should give notice by Monday, January 22, by emailing: ccca@centretowncitizens.ca A candidate is asked to provide a resume and tell why they wish to serve on the Board and what skills they will contribute.
Mary Huang will stand for re-election as CCA President
At the AGM, Mary Huang will stand for election to a third year as president. Huang is a consultant in planning and forecasting, and an advocate for affordable and accessible housing.
Any CCA member is eligible to stand for election as president.
Time to renew CCA membership
CCA members are asked to renew their annual memberships before noon, Friday, January 27, so they can vote at the AGM. To renew, or become a new member, visit the CCA website and hit the “Get Involved” button.
Affordable housing that works for everyone
Housing activist Cheryll Case is conducting a Zoom workshop for the CCA’s housing affordability working group on Monday, January 22, at 6:30 p.m.
Case is the executive director of CP Planning, which works to ensure urban planning aligns with human rights, for example, by providing housing that meets everyone’s needs.
For information or to obtain the link, email antiracism@centretowncitizens.ca
Library’s future in Centretown
A team from the Ottawa Public Library will speak to the CCA’s Planning Committee on Tuesday, February 6, at 7 p.m.
The OPL is moving its main branch out of Centretown to LeBreton Flats. After that move, how will the OPL serve residents of Centretown?
For the Zoom link, email: jack.2014@icloud.com
City needs to be keen for new trees
The CCA wants the city to become keen about new trees.Specifically, the CCA says the city should be aggressive in planting new trees on the city-owned boulevards along residential streets.
The CCA’s NeighbourWoods project has identified close to 500 sites in Centretown for new trees.
In a letter to the city, the CCA proposes the city take the initiative in speaking to property owners about putting a tree on city-owned land in front a house. As well, the city could offer tax incentives to property owners who agree to such plantings. Centretown has “the lowest canopy coverage in Ottawa, and it is worsening,” the association points out.
Lifting height limits on Centretown streets
The city has raised height limits for “minor corridors” – including a half dozen Centretown streets – from six to nine storeys.
In a letter to the city, the CCA argues there should have been public consultation before such a big change. The CCA strongly supports greater density, but argues it must be accompanied by measures to ensure Ottawa’s core is livable.
“We emphasize minor corridors being ‘complete streets’ that prioritize walkability, pedestrian and cyclist safety, greenery and trees,” the CCA said. “Higher density should not pave the way for further focus on vehicular traffic.”
The minor corridors in Centretown are: Somerset, Gladstone, Catherine, Metcalfe, Kent, and Lyon.
$$$ donated to university food bank
The CCA worked with history students at Carleton University to research Centretown’s history.
As a thank-you to the students for all their work, the CCA has made a $250 donation to the university’s food bank, the Emergency Essentials Assistance Program Support Fund.
The students, as part of their course work, conducted four research projects in support of new heritage districts in Centretown and the development of new Centretown history walking tours.
Read more about this research in the February issue of The BUZZ.