Insider Only City Hall, Ottawa

Insider Only City Hall, Ottawa

‘We can’t do it alone’: Downtown core, transit top mayor’s list of priorities for 2024

December 5, 2023

With the clock ticking down on 2023, Ottawa’s ailing downtown – and what can be done to revive it – is a core priority for Mayor Mark Sutcliffe as the new year approaches.

Already an Insider? Log in

Get Instant Access to This Article

Become an Ottawa Business Journal Insider and get immediate access to all of our Insider-only content and much more.

Learn More and Become an Insider

With the clock ticking down on 2023, Ottawa’s ailing downtown – and what can be done to revive it – is a core priority for Mayor Mark Sutcliffe as the new year approaches. The federal government’s move to start reducing its footprint in the capital presents “both a risk and an opportunity” for the local economy as business and political leaders grapple with the thorny issue of how to replace the city’s largest occupier of office space, Sutcliffe told the audience at Tuesday’s Ottawa Economic Outlook event at the Shaw Centre. “This could be one of the biggest transitions our downtown faces in a lifetime,” the mayor said in a pre-recorded interview with OBJ publisher Michael Curran. Sutcliffe said the feds’ decision to vacate a number of large downtown office properties could be a chance to re-envision the spaces as residential complexes or make room for attractions such as an NHL arena that would draw more visitors to the city’s core. The mayor said the federal government has a responsibility to help financially support the city’s efforts to reimagine downtown. “We can’t do it alone,” he said. “We’re going to need help from not just the federal government, but the provincial government as well.” In a wide-ranging discussion, Sutcliffe also addressed other pressing issues facing the city, including ongoing woes with the light-rail system, the need to attract more direct flights to Ottawa International Airport, and what municipal leaders can do to help make the capital a more enticing place for young post-secondary graduates to call home. “We have a lot to be excited about in 2024,” he said. “We’re facing lots of challenges, but as I always say, if we’re working together and we’re building on this amazing city we have with great leadership, great community leaders, great people who are committed to our city, then we can tackle those challenges and build a better future.” To hear more of what the mayor had to say, check out the video.

Get our email newsletters

Get up-to-date news about the companies, people and issues that impact businesses in Ottawa and beyond.

By signing up you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You may unsubscribe at any time.

The Latest

Navigating the return to office: Supporting property managers and tenants in Ottawa

No poach clauses: Protect your workforce

Slate Asset Management to divest Ottawa office portfolio as firm looks to ‘focus on essential real estate’

Regional Roadtrips: Even after some tough times, Smiths Falls is still a sweet day trip

Local economy adds 7,200 jobs in September as region’s unemployment rate falls to 6.4%

Video

OBJ360

Sponsored

Best Places to Work: seoplus+ rises as a top employer with focus on employee growth

uOttawa’s Kanata North campus to expand on innovation and impact

Best Offices Ottawa: Interactive Audio Visual has delivered high-performing, reliable solutions for two decades

Best Offices Ottawa: General Contractor MARANT completing flexible, collaborative BDC space in west-end Ottawa

EXPERT BLOGS

Understanding search and seizure laws

Posner Craig Stein LLP

Patrick B. Lefebvre

Expanding Your business in the USA today?

LeadershipHR

Devinder Chaudhary

The private sector has a role to play in reconciliation

Devinder Chaudhary

Equity, Diversity and Inclusion: Return of the Pendulum

Emilie Nollet

View All | Submit an Expert Blog

EVENTS

View All | Submit an Event

Essential business news, thoughtful analysis and valuable insights for business leaders in Ottawa and Eastern Ontario.

Copyright © 2024 Great River Media Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Subscribe Advertise Privacy Terms