By Claude & Parth on 2026-03-04, City: Ottawa, View Transcript
Ottawa City Council approved a major $200+ million revitalization plan for the ByWard Market ahead of its 200th anniversary in 2027, while also acquiring a former hotel at 377 Anne Street for $45 million to house homeless families. The meeting addressed significant delays in property acquisition that are hampering affordable housing and transit projects, with timelines stretching to 18 months for private properties and over two years for federal land. Council also initiated a comprehensive review of procurement policies to explore fair wage requirements and community benefits agreements for the city's $1.9 billion annual infrastructure spending.
Council adopted a comprehensive revitalization framework for the ByWard Market, one of the city's most visited areas with 25 million expected visits in 2025. The plan focuses on five pillars: creating a destination market for all, strengthening cultural identity, improving safety and well-being, establishing welcoming access points, and transforming underperforming city assets.
Staff identified three critical infrastructure projects requiring immediate attention: the 70 Clarence Street municipal parking garage (requiring $1.9 million in 2026 just to remain operational until 2028, with $29.5 million needed for essential repairs), the 55 Market Building (requiring $5.7 million for short-term operation), and the York Street Esplanade (needing $11.2 million in underground infrastructure work by 2028).
The plan proposes transforming York Street into a pedestrian esplanade with connections to Parliament Hill, converting the 55 Market Building into an accessible market hall with specialty groceries, and redeveloping 70 Clarence Street into a five-story building featuring arts, culture, and public programming with possible housing units.
Councillor Plante raised concerns about repeated delays to the William Street pedestrianization project despite $11.8 million in provincial funding allocated in December 2024. "Après des années de message voulant que la place du marché et la construction de la rue William aurait lieu en 2026, il est décevant que le personnel recommande encore de retarder le projet pour les problèmes des commerçants," Plante stated.
Business owners emphasized the need for parking and predictable access. A property owner representative stated that businesses "suffered considerably" during the winter 2024-25 street closure and "their survival was only due to the reopening" of vehicle access. However, a 2025 Downtown RID report revealed that 70% of people come to the market by car, and lack of parking was cited as a major reason people avoid visiting.
Significant debate emerged over underground parking costs at 70 Clarence Street, with estimates of $51 million for 190 spaces ($268,000 per space). A developer challenged these figures, stating their architect estimated $75,000-$80,000 per parking space as reasonable and claimed they could build 285 underground spaces for approximately $23 million.
Multiple speakers raised concerns about the concentration of social services in the ByWard Market area. A resident with social services experience stated: "We know that these ideas don't work now. Institutions are ready to try something else... Smaller, more personalized environments are really what people in this situation are looking for."
Councillor Desroches raised significant concerns about lengthy timelines for acquiring properties needed for affordable housing and transportation projects: 18 months for private properties and over two years for properties from other levels of government. "Si on n'a pas de terrain, on ne peut pas commencer la construction," Desroches stated.
The councillor highlighted a critical intersection where rapid residential growth is outpacing infrastructure development: "On ne peut pas aménager suffisamment de voies de virage et cette intersection est cruciale pour les liens à venir du transport en commun, y compris la voie réservée aux autobus."
Desroches specifically requested the Mayor address timing issues in discussions with the National Capital Commission regarding the memorandum of understanding protocol, emphasizing: "Il n'y a qu'un seul contribuable. Il s'attend à ce que les gouvernements travaillent ensemble de façon efficace."
Council approved a motion to review procurement practices for the city's approximately $1.9 billion in annual infrastructure investments. The motion, presented by Vice-President Kitz on behalf of the Mayor, requests a comprehensive staff review of policies in other Canadian municipalities, including fair wage policies, living wage policies, and community benefits agreements.
The review will include pilot projects using two infrastructure projects: the West Ottawa Paramedic Deployment Centre and the Riverside South Library (corrected from "Ride Library"). Staff will report back in the first quarter of 2027 with findings and proposed amendments to public procurement bylaws.
Councillor Luloff raised concerns about unclear language in the motion regarding "tradespeople deprived of equity," stating: "Municipalities are closest to taxpayers. We should write things in plain language that everyone understands well."
Councillor Douas expressed support for fair wages and prioritizing local contractors but raised concerns about undocumented workers being exploited by local trades who don't pay fair wages.
Staff acknowledged that ensuring "compliance and adherence to the policy is what we will analyze further" and noted that trade agreements present potential federal obstacles to fully equitable procurement.
Council approved the acquisition of 377 Anne Street, a former hotel, for $45 million plus $2 million in additional fees to house homeless families. The building contains 128 apartments across eight stories and can accommodate approximately 120 individuals once renovated.
The city has over 600 families housed in hotels, motels, and post-secondary institutions as of August 2025, representing a 50% increase from August 2023. Staff described this as "unprecedented" for the City of Ottawa.
The acquisition will be 95% funded by federal Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) funding through the Interim Housing Assistance Program. Under the 2025-2026 funding agreement, the city would pay only 5% of costs, but after March 31st, the city's share increases to a minimum 25% of costs.
The facility will provide a 51% reduction in net cost per room compared to current hotel/motel agreements, generating $2.5 million in annual savings that could be reinvested in affordable housing options. The building will operate as a 24/7 shelter with on-site case management counselors and support services.
Marie Wang from the Downtown Community Association, representing the Affordable Housing Working Group, stated: "We are in favor of the acquisition of 377 Anne Street as a transitional housing center for families."
Councillor Liper raised concerns about maintenance, referencing the Forward Avenue shelter closure due to deferred maintenance, questioning whether maintenance funds would be set aside to prevent repeating that scenario. Staff confirmed $1.3 million annually for building upkeep and operations, plus $1.3 million for immediate repairs to the parking structure.
Multiple speakers addressed the concentration of social services and homelessness in the ByWard Market and downtown areas. A resident advocated for eliminating shelters and adopting Finland's "Housing First" model, which provides actual housing units to homeless individuals as tenants with 24/7 social and medical services on-site.
"Attaquez-vous à l'élimination de l'itinérance. Il faudra beaucoup de courage et de dévouement pour se faire. Les refuges sont des institutions bien intégrées dans la ville. Vous devez avoir le courage de vous y attaquer," the resident stated.
A speaker noted that crime in the Market decreased in 2020-2021 when commercial activity was low but increased again in 2022 when business activity resumed. They emphasized: "Social problems don't originate here" - the opioid crisis affects the entire country, but the Market has become a centralized crisis response hub because it's "the only place with stabilization infrastructure."
Council acknowledged that the city consistently has 300 families on the waiting list for family shelters, and this has been exceeded for the past 15 years. A 10-year plan addressing long-term housing mechanisms will be presented in April.
Adopted: - ByWard Market Revitalization Plan (File 11.1) - comprehensive framework including York Street Esplanade, 55 Market Building, and 70 Clarence Street redevelopment - Procurement Policy Review - motion requesting staff review of fair wage policies, living wage policies, and community benefits agreements with pilot projects and report in Q1 2027 - Acquisition of 377 Anne Street (File 11.2) - $45 million purchase for transitional housing for homeless families - 2026 Municipal Election Updates (File 9.2) - Brownfield Redevelopment Grant Application (File 10.1) - Councillor Menard dissenting
Deferred: - Indigenous Relations Progress Report (File 5.1)
Withdrawn: - Two inquiry responses (with council consent)
Present: Mayor (name not specified in transcript), Councillor Desroches, Councillor Plante, Councillor Luloff, Councillor Brockington, Councillor Douas, Councillor Liper (also referenced as Laper), Councillor Curry, Councillor Truster, Councillor Doudas (Chair of Social Services Committee), Councillor Menard
Note: Full attendance list may not be complete based on available transcript excerpts.