“The task force report raises many good points and promotes discussion, but there is a significant flaw that I would like to address. Simply put, that flaw is us, the business community,” writes Shawn Hamilton.
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The effort that has gone into the Downtown Revitalization Task Force report is significant. Those who donated their time should be congratulated. The people on the committee are the sons and daughters of Ottawa who are doing their part to improve the core and transform the city into a vibrant community that is significantly removed from what we had come to accept – a monocultural downtown that was largely built to accommodate a federal government workforce that has left, for now.
There is a part of me that recognizes the need to break our dependence upon a federal government presence downtown. Beyond this, I do not feel that going back to “the way things were” is the solution; it might be a short-term tonic, but not a long-term solution for the sustainable vibrance of our city.
The task force report raises many good points and promotes discussion, but there is a significant flaw that I would like to address. Simply put, that flaw is us, the business community.
There are too few members doing all the work. We all need to do more; we need to be united and steadfast in our goal of building a thriving downtown.
Don’t get me wrong, I do not doubt for a second that we all care deeply about our downtown. I know that we all want to see balance, sustainability and prosperity return as we look to restore our core while vaulting to new heights.
This I know to be true.
But since when did we rely on government task forces to figure things out for us, while we wait tacitly on the sidelines for the “problem” to be solved?
We need to own the issue and be responsible for its solution. We need to be the change we desire. This is what has made us business leaders, and what has allowed us to add to the quality of our city – a city that now needs our help.
What does this look like?
We don’t need more studies to understand that no one has the answer to the issue of addiction and homelessness. We don’t need more reports to talk about the housing shortage as we opine on the best way forward. We certainly don’t need continued musings about the impact of the federal government’s footprint on our downtown.
We need action. It’s time to stop polishing the car and drive it. We need pace over perfection.
What does a concerted business intervention look like? It starts with being involved.
There are so many organizations working furiously to revitalize the downtown. These organizations are recognizing the three-dimensionality of the issue and are now, more than ever, working together toward a common goal.
Choose your preference. Do you want to help on the front lines of business? Join the Ottawa Board of Trade and lend support to it as it works toward implementing its five pillars to transforming downtown.
If you are more socially minded, then the Shepherds of Good Hope can use your help in its fight to stabilize people in crisis and support people at risk through harm reduction strategies.
There are so many ways that we can help: Invest Ottawa, BOMA Ottawa, Ottawa Community Housing, and the downtown BIAs will all welcome your support and energy as they work to improve our city.
Write to your MP, your MPP, your ward councillor and the mayor to tell them that a dormant downtown Ottawa is completely unacceptable.
Don’t let anyone who can help off the hook, including yourself. Lend your voice to a cause – any positive cause – since everything contributes to our revitalization.
It's not all about business, but the business community can and should have a huge role in defining and revitalizing the core.
Will this work? I’m pretty sure it will, as collectively we can figure this out as we move along. I certainly don’t need to wait for another study.
Ottawa … it’s my city for life. Who is with me?
Shawn Hamilton is a principal at Proveras Commercial Realty.
