After the success of the “Street Seats” pilot that took place in Centretown this past summer, the program could be replicated in other parts of the city and may also lead to the redevelopment of the Snider Plaza “Uncommon” space.
SabriNa Lemay, executive director of Centretown BIA, told OBJ on Monday that the pilot project, which converted parts of Florence, Frank and McLaren streets into pedestrianized areas from mid-June to mid-October, added vibrancy and connection to the area.
“I feel we added a lot more visibility to Centretown by having these installations. The community came together and our members joined in and held different workshops. I think it will continue to be more successful (as time goes on),” Lemay said.
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The project, conducted in partnership with Bloomberg Associates, was aimed at accelerating public realm and road safety improvements, according to a progress report published by the City of Ottawa earlier this month. The “Street Seats” spaces hosted 166 events, attracting more than 2,500 attendees by early September, the report said.
The report also included the results of a survey conducted by the city that showed that, as of Sept. 10, 91 per cent of respondents had a positive impression of the new spaces, with 66 per cent saying they visited nearby businesses more frequently.
Lemay said that while some business owners were reluctant at first, many saw increased sales during the summer as a result of the project.
“Our sales were up about 12 per cent in July and 25 per cent in August, this allowed us to hire and retain two full time employees and one part-timer, which is a feat of magic in the current job market in the restaurant industry,” said Jon Svazas, chef and owner of Fauna on Bank Street, in the report.
Lemay said the project fits into the Ottawa Board of Trade’s Downtown Ottawa Action Agenda as well as the BIA’s own Centretown Street Safety and Revitalization Action Plan.
“We’ve been talking about pedestrianizing streets, creating more activities and (having) more things for people to do. So it aligns in that way,” she said, adding that many of the events that took place after dark helped to boost the city’s Nightlife Economy Action Plan.
“This initiative has had a meaningful and energizing impact. A local business owner told me this summer that the BIA and these activations are ‘saving Centretown’, and I agree,” said Michael Wallack, owner of Wallack’s Art Supplies & Framing, in the city’s report.
The BIA is also looking to redevelop the first of its “Uncommon” spaces at Snider Plaza, between Bank, Laurier and Slater streets, in 2026.
“We are looking to redevelop this space in direct alignment with the revitalization task force and the plan that’s been developed by OBOT (to) really amplify greenspace. It’s really in the planning phases right now, but to say that our downtown core will have its first created greenspace would be really good and exciting to say,” Lemay told OBJ.
Creating “third spaces,” or places for people to gather outside of home, work or school, are key to revitalization efforts downtown, Lemay told OBJ in June.
“Anybody from the community can utilize the space, whether they’re walking by, want to sit there for lunch, have a meeting or are a small business owner wanting to do something creative … I think the colours and the vibrancy it creates in the different programming immediately creates curiosity, which keeps people on the streets (and) more people are walking into businesses,” Lemay said on Monday.
So, while the 2025 season may be over for the “Street Seats” project, it isn’t the end, Lemay said.
“The idea is to bring these spaces back. We’re looking at what kind of programming we want to do, but even more so working with our members now (so) that we have a little bit more time to plan … which will just put more traction on their business as a whole,” she said, adding that the program will likely last from early spring to early fall in 2026.
And, Centretown won’t be the only place in Ottawa where people can experience “Street Seats,” according to Lemay.
“They will be replicated in other parts of the city, so that’s really exciting. This is just a pilot to pull throughout our entire city,” she said.
Lemay said creating spaces for people to connect with their community elevates the vibe of the area and gives people more reason to visit Centretown.
“It gives people more of a reason to come down here, especially knowing we’re no strangers to the challenges that the downtown core has had. There’s been reservations in the past about coming down here. I think as you’re experiencing these spaces and feeling that safety, creating memories and having those moments, whether it’s attending a workshop or stopping by, it’s creating a different persona for the area, which is going to drive more people here.”
