City seeking public input on ByWard Market makeover (CBC)
June 17, 2025 - CBC Ottawa
The City of Ottawa is casting a wide net to gather public input on a major renewal project in the ByWard Market as the historic downtown district prepares to celebrate its 200th year.
A series of public consultations on the William Street and ByWard Market Square redesign begins Tuesday afternoon in Barrhaven, where residents will be asked for their feedback on certain aspects of the city's $129-million plan to "reimagine the ByWard Market and strengthen its role as a premier destination within the nation's capital for many years to come.
City council approved the larger plan in 2021. It's now seeking feedback on proposed designs for the streets and public spaces surrounding the central ByWard Market Building.
The project scope includes one block of William Street and ByWard Market Square between York and George streets, including the George Street West Plaza.
In addition to the "transformation of William Street as a pedestrian street," the renewal project includes "opportunities for commercial uses and animation," as well as road resurfacing, new lighting including an overhead catenary system, and new parking provisions.
Rideau-Vanier Coun. Stéphanie Plante, who represents the area, said some of the upgrades are simple, but long overdue.
"Believe it or not, we don't have basic things out here in the ByWard Market like [electrical] plugs. The ByWard Market was built 200 years ago. No one could have foreseen that everybody needs a charger these days."
