The August 2023 issue of The Centretown BUZZ, Centretown’s community newspaper, is out.
You can read it online here!
Read the August 2023 Centretown BUZZ
Category: August 2023
No more parkland in new 1010 Somerset plan
A new city concept plan for developing the area near Somerset and Preston has highly disappointed the Dalhousie Community Association (DCA) for its lack of new greenspace and its locating a new school on the current park.
Chief William Commanda Bridge opens
The Chief William Commanda Bridge finally opened on August 4, just in time for the long weekend, and to the delight of several Centretown cyclists and pedestrians.
BIA rebrands from Bank Street to Centretown
The largest business improvement area (BIA) in Centretown has rebranded itself as the Centretown BIA, and is planning to expand its boundaries.
City slightly eases right-of-way rules for gardens, Little Free Libraries
The controversy over what will be allowed in the city right-of-way continues, as city staff have been told to examine further changes. In June, City Council passed regulations on what can be planted or placed in the strip of land in your front yard abutting the sidewalk.
Freedom Convoyers try to dismiss class action
The defendants in the class action against the Freedom Convoy are again trying to get the action dismissed. They have filed a motion to dismiss on the grounds the action is a strategic lawsuit against public participation (SLAPP).
Audit case exposes election act ambiguity
A prominent municipal advocacy group faces an audit, which will likely clarify the rules around third-party advertisers in city elections.
A heritage drop-deadline: High noon for Ottawa’s historic buildings list?
The tsunami of Ontario’s recent bull-in-a-china-shop land use laws has inflicted unintended collateral damage on the preservation of heritage buildings in Ottawa.
Skyline: What’s old is new in two recent developments
Robert Smythe explains that there’s now some hope for Somerset House, and outlines the how a prominent Brutalist office building is being converted into apartments.
Centretown’s food centre now allows clients to choose the food they need
After many years in the basement of Centretown United Church, Centretown’s emergency food centre has relocated to 370 Catherine Street.
Orange Art Gallery facing eviction; heritage building to be left empty
The Orange Art Gallery, which has occupied a heritage building on the west edge of Centretown for the last decade, is facing eviction by the end of the year – with no other tenant scheduled to move in.
Users defend the car-free Queen Elizabeth Driveway
Mayor Mark Sutcliffe recently suggested chopping half of the active-transportation-only section of the Queen Elizabeth Driveway. He’s got a lot of pushback from community groups, city councillors, and the CEO of the National Capital Commission (NCC).
Comment: Building over Plouffe Park
David Seaborn gives seven things wrong with the city’s 1010 Somerset draft concept plan.
Comment: Stop the cannibalization of Plouffe Park
Robert Fox writes: “The online feedback form makes it difficult to communicate the depth of my opposition to the cannibalization of Plouffe Park.”
Wallack’s, IGO Cyber staying in Centretown
The new development planned by Smart Living to replace the east side of Bank Street between Nepean and Lisgar has meant longstanding businesses are being forced to move, but some are staying in Centretown.
