A proposed events centre at the former Chapters bookstore on Rideau Street could be a springboard to revitalizing the downtown core and making the neighbourhood a more “active district” for visitors, the head of the new organization that oversees the ByWard Market says.
Already a Subscriber? 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.
A proposed events centre at the former Chapters bookstore on Rideau Street could be a springboard to revitalizing the downtown core and making the neighbourhood a more “active district” for visitors, the head of the new organization that oversees the ByWard Market says.
The National Capital Commission, which now owns the building at 47-57 Rideau St., said Thursday it is negotiating with a group in the “hospitality and entertainment industry” that wants to lease the 60,000-square-foot space at the gateway to the Market and convert it into an events venue.
While NCC chief executive Tobi Nussbaum offered few specifics about the potential tenant or the proposal because talks are still ongoing, the idea of turning the vacant, two-storey heritage building into some sort of a public gathering space has struck a chord with downtown business advocates.
“From our perspective, I think it’s a strong signal that people are interested and do see value in the future of this district,” Zachary Dayler, the executive director of the ByWard Market District Authority, said Friday.
Dayler, who was hired last year to lead the new organization that replaced the ByWard Market BIA and Ottawa Markets, said the city’s recently adopted Nightlife Economic Action Plan cited the lack of downtown event spaces as a major gap in Ottawa’s infrastructure.
He said such a venue on Rideau Street would “really complement” facilities such as the Shaw Centre and a proposed “destination building” that could eventually replace the multi-level parking garage on Clarence Street under the city’s ByWard Market Public Realm Plan.
“I think it’s really setting the table for pushing the area to being a bit more of an active district,” Dayler said.
Ottawa Tourism director of public affairs Jerome Miousse agreed a new events space on Rideau Street would give a much-needed economic boost to an area that took a major hit during the pandemic and has yet to fully recover.
"While it’s early in the process, Ottawa Tourism welcomes initiatives to improve and revitalize our downtown core to make it more vibrant for visitors and residents alike,” he said in an email to OBJ.
“Event venues are an integral part of diversifying the ByWard Market's nighttime offer, which is also in line with this revitalization work and provides economic impact through our nighttime economy. We will be following developments closely through the National Capital Commission, and look forward to promoting this new space once it is available.”
