The ByWard Market District Authority is looking for a new leader.
Zachary Dayler, former executive director of the BMDA, stepped down from the role at the end of August.
Dayler joined the BMDA in March 2020, when it was still known as ByWard Market BIA. In 2023, the BIA dissolved and joined Ottawa Markets to form the authority.
(Sponsored)
How The Ottawa Hospital uses AI tools to boost health outcomes and streamline clinical efficiency
Dr. Douglas Manuel says it all began with the Ottawa Ankle Rules algorithm, a set of clinical guidelines developed in the early 1990s by The Ottawa Hospital’s Dr. Ian Stiell
How Westboro’s female entrepreneurs are making it an attractive destination to live, work and play
When fitness guru Amber Stratton opened the first Pure Yoga studio in Ottawa in 2012, Westboro was her first choice. “The space we found was a really good starting point
Victoria Williston, communications manager at the BMDA, told OBJ Friday the organization is working with executive search firm Odgers Canada to fill the executive director position and that Melanie Anderson, general manager of the BMDA, is acting executive director.
The Odgers posting about the position describes the ideal candidate as a “seasoned executive with strong leadership and communication skills, capable of navigating complex stakeholder environments, operational challenges and experience in a municipal government environment.”
The posting also notes the candidate’s need to be bilingual and show leadership through a “transformative period” for the ByWard Market, which is approaching its 200th anniversary.
During his tenure, Dayler was involved in many initiatives.
In a bid to boost winter visitorship, the BMDA created a container program for vendors last winter, allowing them to sell their goods in winter and summer. The authority also launched a synthetic ice rink as an additional attraction in the Market in winter.
Dayler was most recently part of the team that initiated the night ambassador program in partnership with the City of Ottawa’s nightlife office, to help improve safety in the area.
Dayler’s departure comes as the Market is seeing long-standing ByWard Market businesses make way for newer names.
In January, Blue Cactus Bar and Grill closed its doors after 35 years, paving the way for Grey’s Social Eatery to take over the space a few months later. Saslove’s Meat Market closed last year and Philthy Philly’s announced in January that it was moving in. This fall, Baskin-Robbins will open a new location in the former home of the ByWard Fruit Market.
One of the Market’s most notable departures this year was that of Hudson’s Bay on Rideau Street, which closed the doors on the 330,000-square-foot, five-storey building in March.
The Market has seen an uptick in visitors this summer, with recent data suggesting that visits to the area are close to or in some cases exceeding levels seen in 2019.
