Insider Only

The future of Wellington Street needs to be decided as part of a larger plan to reimagine the downtown and with an eye to the impact on tourism, local stakeholders say.

Head of the Ottawa Gatineau Hotel Association said it’s still too early to tell how much of an impact the weather will have on leisure traffic at downtown lodgings in February.

As municipal leaders brainstorm new ways to revitalize Ottawa’s downtown in a post-pandemic world, real estate insiders say making the office-to-residential conversion process easier by cutting red tape at city hall should be right at the top of their agenda.

Well-known business leader founded digital marketing and content agency bv02 in 2002 and served as its chief revenue officer for 16 years before assuming the same role at cybersecurity startup Field Effect Software in 2019.

Despite the start of a gradual return to the office for federal public servants this week, downtown businesses say they have yet to see an increase in foot traffic.

The first GOHBA was an opportunity for the new mayor to meet with the builders, as well as share with them what he and city council see as their plans and priorities.

While a move by the Ottawa Senators to a downtown arena is not a done deal and could be years in the making, business organizations and civic politicians in Kanata and Stittsville say it is vital that there be a new community vision for their area. 

More reliable public transit, more flights to Ottawa and less red tape for small business are just some of the items at the top of Michelle Groulx’s wish list for 2023.

Group Oradev recently filed a development application that calls for the industrial building and attached three-storey office complex that currently occupy 400 Coventry Rd. to be torn down and replaced with seven highrises ranging from 18 to 30 storeys.