A “tentatively approved” final draft of the long-awaited report from the Downtown Revitalization Task Force will be reviewed by the group’s co-chairs next week.
The task force, struck by Ottawa Centre MP Yasir Naqvi in the summer of 2022 to address challenges in the downtown core, has spent the past year holding meetings and conducting surveys and consultations. The report, which is expected to detail the results of the work, was originally slated for public release in late spring 2023.
But the report has been bogged down by delays. In late July, after the initial timeframe had passed, a spokesperson for Naqvi’s office confirmed to OBJ that the report was in its final draft stages.
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“Our initial intention was to have a finished product for release by the end of June, but some minor scheduling delays have pushed that timeline back a bit,” he said earlier this year. “We’re now looking to mid-August to have a final public product to publish.”
Nearly two months later, the report still has not been released. On Thursday, the spokesperson told OBJ that finishing touches are being made to the draft.
“The co-chairs are meeting next week to finalize the report that has been tentatively approved by the full task force,” he wrote in an email to OBJ.
The co-chairs of the task force are president of non-profit real estate developer Cahdco Graeme Hussey, and Claridge Homes vice-president Neil Malhotra.
The spokesperson did not provide a timeframe for the report’s release, writing, “A public release of the document will follow once the finalized document is fully translated.”
The report is expected to include ideas and recommendations aimed at breathing life back into the downtown area. Among the topics examined are affordable, accessible housing; reinvigorating local businesses; sustainability and the environment; and inclusive community spaces that promote Indigenous reconciliation.
Christine Leadman, executive director of the Bank Street BIA and member of the task force, said she saw a draft of the report in early September but has not received an update on its progress since.
“To be honest, I haven’t heard anything,” she said. “I haven’t really heard much else after that initial meeting. I’ve been wondering what’s going on, why is it taking so long?”
Leadman added that there have been some recent shifts that may be contributing to the delays.
For example, she cited the fact that Naqvi has been running for the leadership of the Ontario Liberal party since June, which has taken him across the province for the past several months. Party members cast ballots on Nov. 25.
“It is what it is,” said Leadman. “My mantra has always been safe, clean and green. This is critical for people to feel like they want to come downtown.”
