Ottawa's Byward Market

[J.OT13]

And another decision based on business pressure despite no evidence it's even needed. Solving a problem that doesn't exist.

Everyone absolutely needs to be able to park at the front door of the business, but also, the entire parking garage should have a time limit so people feel pressured to leave the Market. Time limits on street parking isn't enough.

None of this is "simpler and more convenient for visitors". I don't like having to guess how much time I'll be somewhere and then get nervous and feel rushed the entire time I'm at a restaurant or shopping. Parking where you pay as you exist is far easier and makes for a less stressful experience.

If they had a time limit for the first level only, that would be fine. But this, especially having to pay in advance, might actually keep me away from the Market.

New rules at ByWard Market parking garage begin on Monday

Josh Pringle, CTV Ottawa
Updated: March 24, 2026 at 3:10PM EDT

A popular parking garage in Ottawa’s ByWard Market will change to a three-hour pay-and-display system next week, as the city looks to encourage vehicle turnover in the tourist area.

As part of $200 million plan to revitalize the ByWard Market, the city is turning the parking garage at 70 Clarence Street into a three-hour pay-and-display lot.

The parking lot will no longer use gate arms and exit tickets, and visitors will have to purchase a ticket through the pay-and-display machine or via an app.

“This change will make parking simpler and more convenient for visitors. It will also help increase the availability of short-term parking through more turnover, making it easier for visitors to find a spot in the ByWard Market,” the city said.

“Those parked with a displayed valid accessible permit will be able to park for up to four hours free of charge at this municipal parking lot.”

The parking lot will be open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and the three-hour time limit will be in effect between 8:30 a.m. and 7:30 p.m.

The hourly rates will be:

• $4 per hour Monday to Saturday, 8:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
• $3 per hour on Sunday and during all evening and overnight periods (7:30 p.m. to 8:30 a.m.)
• Overnight maximum rate of $8 (7:30 p.m. to 8:30 a.m.)

The current “morning special rate” of $2 for anyone arriving after 6 a.m. and leaving before 11 a.m. will no longer be available.

The long-term plan for the parking garage is to transform the lot into an “anchor legacy arts hub” as the building nears the end of its lifespan.

The new three-hour pay-and-display system

The city outlines how to use the new system

• Drive into the garage as there are no gates.
• Pay for parking as soon as you arrive using the PayByPhone app or a Pay & Display machine located inside the garage. If using a machine, remember to put your payment stub on the dash of your car so it is visible.
• After paying, you can leave when you are ready. There is no exit gate.

https://www.ctvnews.ca/ottawa/article/new-rules-at-byward-market-parking-garage-begin-on-monday/

[phil235]

Originally Posted by J.OT13

Parking! Parking! Parking! The entire plan is a "how do we preserve parking" plan and they still aren't happy.



People go to the Market to get drunk at night. Maybe having so many people driving is bad. Maybe improved transit options at night would actually help more.

Yeah, discouraging that there is so much focus on parking. It's not great journalism either - they quote a business owner saying he "thinks" 70% of their customers come by car, but includes no actual statistics. I would be shocked if it comes anywhere near that number, based on any other modal share survey that has been done in recent years. And his comparison of restaurant seats to parking spots is really misleading. To play that game, if there are 5000 parking spots and each car has at least 2 people in it, then you are north of 10,000 people who can drive and park in or directly adjacent to the Market, and that doesn't include those who park at the NAC, City Hall etc. and walk a few blocks.

He also talks about more people driving to restaurants than taking public transit (maybe, but I doubt it) while completely ignoring the people that come on foot, by bike or those taking uber or taxis. None of whom need parking spots.

I really don't get the opposition to closing William St. It was busy with people every time I was in the Market, including not a peak times. Seems they insist on shooting themselves in the foot. If that wasn't a clear success, I'm not sure what is.

[J.OT13]

Originally Posted by phil235

I really don't get the opposition to closing William St. It was busy with people every time I was in the Market, including not a peak times. Seems they insist on shooting themselves in the foot. If that wasn't a clear success, I'm not sure what is.

This is what angers me the most. Actually, the new parking system at the ByWard Market garage might be what angers me most, but that aside, William pedestrianization was a small thing to give the overwhelmingly pedestrians in the Market, a break from dodging cars. It was fully funded by the Province. Ready to go. And the only thing that could have been done by the 200th under Mayor "Stop the War on Cars". Like

[rocketphish]

ByWard Market businesses create ‘Nashville-style’ festival to entice more traffic to the area

Marissa Galko, OBJ
March 31, 2026

Two local restaurateurs are looking to liven up the ByWard Market in what is typically a slow time of year with a unique festival that brings “Nashville-style” country music to the area.

Maple and Moonshine will take place at several venues in the ByWard Market from April 10-12, featuring local and national talent such as Dawson Gray, Dylan Burk and Riley Taylor, as well as line-dancing lessons and outdoor activities.

Alex Sirois and Jonah Trevor-Deutsch, partners at Ottawa Venues, a company that operates several restaurants in the Market such as Barrio, Lowertown Brewery, Bar Ocelli and Sky Lounge, are the driving force behind Maple and Moonshine.

A country music fan himself, Trevor-Deutsch said the idea came as they looked for ways to elevate events in the Market.

“I’ve worked on a country festival previously and thought, ‘Why can’t we do this here (in the Market)?’ We’ve got all of these awesome venues here. We’ve got all this infrastructure … Why not do this in a period of time that tends to be a little bit slower for the Market? Give people a reason to come downtown,” he told OBJ on Tuesday. “I’m kind of creating the event that I would want to go to, if I was just a resident.”

Sirois said the event is being organized in the “Nashville style,” where music-lovers go from bar to bar within the Market to enjoy country music across the eight participating venues, which include the Heart & Crown, Lowertown Brewery, The Lafayette and Dominion Tavern.

After some initial planning meetings, Sirois said he and Trevor-Deutsch pitched the idea to other ByWard businesses, City of Ottawa nightlife commissioner Mathieu Grondin and representatives from the ByWard Market District Authority.

“We did a slide deck and … asked who wanted to be on board. We reached out to some sponsors: Crown Royal, Chevrolet, the nightlife office and Pistols Brewery. It’s turned into all these businesses supporting each other,” he said.

Admission to most of the activities, including six of the nine shows and a line-dancing class by Navan Boot Scootin’ at the George Street Plaza, is free. Tickets for three shows are $20 each or a “pistol pass” can be purchased for $49, giving access to all paid shows.

Trevor-Deutsch said he and Sirois were able to make the majority of the programming free thanks to funding from the City of Ottawa’s nightlife office. They tried to keep paid events reasonably priced.

“I’m friends with a lot of the artists and it’s great to be able to bring them down and give them exposure. A lot of them are not super well-known, but they’re incredible musicians … For $20, we think that’s pretty affordable to be able to showcase this amazing talent,” he said.

Country music has seen a rise in popularity in recent years, thanks in part to American artists such as Morgan Wallen and Luke Combs, Trevor-Deutsch said, adding Canadian artists are making a splash on the country scene as well.

“I’m really happy to see so much support from all of these different (entities) like the city, the bars, the sponsors. It’s been getting good traction online with people saying, ‘Ottawa really needs this.’ We’re getting country back in the Market,” Trevor-Deutsch said.

With younger generations changing the ways they interact with live music and nightlife, Trevor-Deutsch said businesses need to adapt.

“The younger generation is not picking up the same (nightlife) habits that maybe we used to have when we were in university. I think the Market needs to adapt to these changing demands … I would love to see more country things going on in the city. I know we used to have more. Ever since COVID, a lot of these events have dropped off. So this is kind of a way to bring it back and show everybody we have awesome Canadian talent and awesome businesses in the Market,” Trevor-Deutsch said.

When the festival kicks off in a few weeks, Sirois said he hopes it acts as the springboard for a successful summer events season in the Market.

“This tends to be a slower time during the year. It’s the start of exams and the weather is only just starting to pick up. Plus, it’s obviously been tough in the restaurant industry and in the Market as a whole. We hope (the festival) really helps kickstart the year, get everybody off on the right foot and (so they) realize that the ByWard Market is an awesome place to come and enjoy some great food, drinks, music,” Sirois said.

Over on Clarence Street, Kristen Bradley, events and entertainment manager at the Heart & Crown, said participating in Maple and Moonshine was “a no-brainer.”

“I’m happy the guys from Lowertown (Brewery) took the initiative to think of this and create the event. It was simple for us because we’re basically doing the same thing we do every weekend, which is live music, but now it’s with some known artists coming through. It’s an enhanced version of our regular weekends,” Bradley explained.

While Heart & Crown has hosted similar country music events in the past, Bradley said she expects the Maple and Moonshine shows to draw more people outside the regular crowd.

She added that the festival is “filling a large gap” in the Market as “there’s not much going on in the Market these days.”

“It’s great to see some initiative that entails the Market and tries to reinvigorate it and give people a reason to come back to the ByWard Market,” she said.

Even though the inaugural festival is still two weeks away, Bradley said she’s already signed up for next year. “It’s definitely something that we are aligned with.”

Sirois told OBJ that he and Trevor-Deutsch have big plans for future Maple and Moonshine events.

“We’re already planning it for next year. We’re taking lots of notes and we’ve had a ton of interest from retail (stores), from BIAs, from other venues approaching us … I think there’s a real demand in the city for it.

“The three- to five-year plan is to build it out to be a full festival. With next year being the bicentennial (of the ByWard Market), I think that’ll be huge for us and it’ll be great for the Market. (Next year,) we’ll do the festival in the Market the same as this year and grow the brand into a full festival from there,” Sirois said. “We’re looking forward to showcase Ottawa as the world-class city that it is for the arts and culture scene.”

https://obj.ca/byward-market-biz-nashville-style-festival-entice-traffic/

[rocketphish]

Vendor village initiative designed to drive foot traffic, ‘activate spaces’ in the ByWard Market

By Marissa Galko, OBJ
April 20, 2026



More local vendors will be part of the upcoming spring season in the ByWard Market in an effort to spur downtown revitalization, the ByWard Market District Authority said this month.

The curated vendor village initiative will start in mid-May, featuring local vendors selling a variety of products including giftware, gourmet foods, artisan crafts and florals.

“This initiative reflects an intentional approach to how we manage and animate the public realm in the ByWard Market,” said Victoria Williston, executive director of the BMDA, in a news release. “Through curated vending, thoughtful placement, and a focus on quality and diversity, we’re enhancing the visitor experience while supporting economic resilience for local businesses.

“At the same time, we’re designing these spaces to encourage movement across the district, ensuring that increased activity benefits not just one location, but the area as a whole. This is a foundational step in our broader work to strengthen the district’s long-term vitality.”

Created in alignment with the ACE (arts, culture and entertainment) district, which will launch in July, the vendor village will animate areas along George and York streets to drive foot traffic and encourage visitors to explore surrounding streets.

According to the release, vendors will be grouped around key areas within the district, positioned to “activate spaces” while intentionally not placed directly in front of the Heritage Hall building on George Street. Another vendor area will be located on York Street, between William and Dalhousie streets, along the north side.

Alex Sirois, partner at Ottawa Venues, a company that operates several restaurants in the Market, said the initiative will help draw people further into the Market. “Bringing activity to York Street like this helps support nearby businesses and adds to the overall energy of the district,” Sirois said in the BMDA release.

In addition, vendors with fresh market-style offerings will be moved to highlight existing brick-and-mortar food businesses in the Market. The “grocer-focused zone” will span a section of ByWard Market Square and York Street near the Irving Rivers store, complemented by floral vendors located outside the Moulin de Provence.

The vendor village initiative is part of a number of upcoming projects meant to attract residents and visitors to the area to celebrate the city’s 200th anniversary in 2026 and the ByWard Market’s 200th anniversary in 2027.

“The ByWard Market is one of the most important and recognizable parts of our city. It’s where local entrepreneurs bring their ideas to life and where residents and visitors come to experience the energy of Ottawa. This (vendor) initiative adds something fresh and exciting while building on what already makes the Market special,” said Mayor Mark Sutcliffe in the release.

https://obj.ca/vendor-village-to-drive-foot-traffic-byward-market/

[J.OT13]

I'm very confused about that rendering. It makes it look like the Freiman Mall exterior will get a partial reclad and somehow HBC is still occupying the space, and we're getting a Zellers in addition. And somehow the Woolworth/Chapters/History building doesn't exist.

[kwoldtimer]

Originally Posted by Kitchissippi

We have "homeless" panhandlers in Westboro as well. There's always someone sprawled out in front of the Shoppers and elsewhere on Richmond Road. They gravitate to places with high pedestrian traffic so I don't think moving social services out of the ByWard Market will necessarily reduce their presence downtown.

There are two regulars that I am aware of. One at the Shoppers and one at the Legion. That's it.

[skyscraperaccount]

Originally Posted by rocketphish

Vendor village initiative designed to drive foot traffic, ‘activate spaces’ in the ByWard Market

By Marissa Galko, OBJ
April 20, 2026



More local vendors will be part of the upcoming spring season in the ByWard Market in an effort to spur downtown revitalization, the ByWard Market District Authority said this month.

The curated vendor village initiative will start in mid-May, featuring local vendors selling a variety of products including giftware, gourmet foods, artisan crafts and florals.

“This initiative reflects an intentional approach to how we manage and animate the public realm in the ByWard Market,” said Victoria Williston, executive director of the BMDA, in a news release. “Through curated vending, thoughtful placement, and a focus on quality and diversity, we’re enhancing the visitor experience while supporting economic resilience for local businesses.

“At the same time, we’re designing these spaces to encourage movement across the district, ensuring that increased activity benefits not just one location, but the area as a whole. This is a foundational step in our broader work to strengthen the district’s long-term vitality.”

Created in alignment with the ACE (arts, culture and entertainment) district, which will launch in July, the vendor village will animate areas along George and York streets to drive foot traffic and encourage visitors to explore surrounding streets.

According to the release, vendors will be grouped around key areas within the district, positioned to “activate spaces” while intentionally not placed directly in front of the Heritage Hall building on George Street. Another vendor area will be located on York Street, between William and Dalhousie streets, along the north side.

Alex Sirois, partner at Ottawa Venues, a company that operates several restaurants in the Market, said the initiative will help draw people further into the Market. “Bringing activity to York Street like this helps support nearby businesses and adds to the overall energy of the district,” Sirois said in the BMDA release.

In addition, vendors with fresh market-style offerings will be moved to highlight existing brick-and-mortar food businesses in the Market. The “grocer-focused zone” will span a section of ByWard Market Square and York Street near the Irving Rivers store, complemented by floral vendors located outside the Moulin de Provence.

The vendor village initiative is part of a number of upcoming projects meant to attract residents and visitors to the area to celebrate the city’s 200th anniversary in 2026 and the ByWard Market’s 200th anniversary in 2027.

“The ByWard Market is one of the most important and recognizable parts of our city. It’s where local entrepreneurs bring their ideas to life and where residents and visitors come to experience the energy of Ottawa. This (vendor) initiative adds something fresh and exciting while building on what already makes the Market special,” said Mayor Mark Sutcliffe in the release.

https://obj.ca/vendor-village-to-drive-foot-traffic-byward-market/

Isnt' this the same BMDA that launched the container vendor shops, whats different?

[J.OT13]

From last month. Seems the only businesses not considered or consulted about the ByWard Market plan are the City's own tenants.

Deachman: Does the ByWard Market really need a shiny new food court?
Ottawa risks turning one of its most historic civic spaces into something the ByWard Market already has plenty of: places to eat.

Author of the article:By Bruce Deachman
Published Mar 23, 2026

Jill Anguaya is anything but tickled about the City of Ottawa’s plans to redevelop the historic ByWard Market building.

I can’t say that I blame her.

Anguaya runs Tickled Pink, a gift shop inside the market hall at 55 ByWard Market Square where tourists and locals have for years picked up all manner of toys, dolls, games, crafts, clothing, costumes, cosmetics and more. She’s owned the business since 2012, but it’s been there for more than 30 years.

Her husband, Jacinto, incidentally, runs another shop in the building — Quichua World Market — selling crafts, textiles and jewelry.

By any reading of the city’s ByWard Market Action Plan redevelopment strategy, though, the Anguayas — and many other longtime tenants — could find themselves without a home when their building is “reimagined.”

“When I read the plan,” says Jill, “I just thought: Where do shops like mine fit into this?”

It’s a fair question. Because if the answer is nowhere, Ottawa risks turning one of its most historic civic spaces into something the ByWard Market already has plenty of: places to buy and eat food.

The plan for the roughly $40-million redevelopment envisions something quite different from the jumble of stalls, shops and cafés that now fill the building. One report says the market hall “is not being utilized to its highest and best potential.”

What apparently will unlock that potential is a curated food-focused destination.

Renderings show the main hall transformed into a brighter, more open public space — part market, part event venue — with rotating food vendors, a specialty grocer at one end, a bakery at the other, and two full-service restaurants upstairs.

In other words, something resembling a modern food court.

What’s not to love?

Well, for starters, the fact that many of the existing tenants will likely be gone — even those that already provide food and a place to sit and eat.

When the building was last renovated in the late 1990s, tenants who wished to return were guaranteed a spot once the work was completed. Not this time.

The city’s own Business and Tenant Support Strategy report notes that some businesses will have to “permanently relocate or cease operations.” The relocation assistance being offered reads like something drafted by a committee determined to promise as little as possible. Tenants may receive “relocation advisory support,” including information about other commercial districts, and the possibility of working with a broker to find space “within defined radii.”

If the support you’re being offered includes “defined radii,” I’d suggest you’re on your own.

By my count, there are already nine food vendors in the building. Those are surrounded by numerous other restaurants, coffee shops and cafés throughout the ByWard Market. Is the absence of a mall-type food court really what ails the district?

To be fair, the Market could use more places where people can simply sit — without feeling rushed or having to buy a full meal. But it’s not clear that replacing existing businesses is the only — or best — way to achieve that.

Even some of the market’s best-known food businesses may face challenges fitting into the new proposal. Take Le Moulin de Provence, which famously earned international attention when then-U.S. President Barack Obama dropped in for a cookie in 2009. Much of the bakery’s production currently happens on the second floor — space the proposal appears to earmark for one of the new restaurants.

And is there even a reliable business model for a second-floor restaurant in the market building?

There’s no question that the century-old building needs refurbishing — the city in 2023 identified $5.7 million in immediate renewal needs and a further $6.5 million for upgrades over the next 20 years.

But fixing a building and redefining what belongs inside are not the same.

Maybe that can be worked out. Maybe not. But if the ByWard Market’s most recognizable bakery might struggle with the proposed blueprint, what chance does Tickled Pink have?

City council recently approved the overall revitalization framework and millions of dollars for design work for the ByWard Market, including $2.7 million for 55 ByWard. The final shape of the building, and who will be allowed back inside, isn’t settled yet. But it’s fair to ask whether, in pursuing a new space where people can sit and enjoy a snack or meal, the city is preparing to push out tenants who for years have been doing exactly that.

Others, including Tickled Pink, Quichua World Market, Canada in a Basket and Adaawewigamig, aren’t food vendors, but they have been part of the fabric of what a public market is supposed to be. They’re the places where people browse, linger and discover something unexpected. They’ve endured the good times and bad, the busy seasons and slow ones. They’re employers, providing a living not just for their own families, but for others as well.

Where do shops like Jill’s fit in?

If the city’s answer is not here, Ottawa may get a shinier, brighter market building. But it will also get something else: a place with fewer surprises, fewer independents, and a little less of the character that made the ByWard Market worth visiting in the first place.

https://ottawacitizen.com/news/local-news/byward-market-food-court

[J.OT13]

William Street that was supposed to be pedestrianized before the 200th, and was funded, but the Mayor said no because loosing parking spots would kill businesses.

The street is nearly completely dead. Only about half the parking spots are taken, and few of them, if any, are people driving to shop at these particular businesses on William.

The pedestrianized areas are all far more active.

[Richard Eade]

It sounds as if there are full-time Bylaw officers dedicated to nailing people parking in the By-Ward Market garage for more than 3 hours. In 57 days, 962 tickets have been issued. That’s an average of about 17 tickets each day!

https://www.ctvnews.ca/ottawa/article/hu...yward-market-parking-garage-this-spring/

So, what is the City’s goal? To restrict the amount of time that people spend in The Market? Or to guide people to use the City parking structure at 141 Clarence instead, so that the one at 90 Clarence can be declared ‘Under Used’, and torn down?

According to the City Councilor for the area (Plante), the City is trying to encourage use of public transit to get to The Market. Unfortunately, the only way to get people to use transit is to make using transit MUCH better. Using a ‘Stick’ to try to force transit use will only prevent people from going downtown at all.

And I’m pretty sure that people getting a $100 parking ticket if they stay for more than three hours is NOT what is pulling customers into the Lowertown Brewery.

[J.OT13]

Originally Posted by Richard Eade

It sounds as if there are full-time Bylaw officers dedicated to nailing people parking in the By-Ward Market garage for more than 3 hours. In 57 days, 962 tickets have been issued. That’s an average of about 17 tickets each day!

https://www.ctvnews.ca/ottawa/article/hu...yward-market-parking-garage-this-spring/

So, what is the City’s goal? To restrict the amount of time that people spend in The Market? Or to guide people to use the City parking structure at 141 Clarence instead, so that the one at 90 Clarence can be declared ‘Under Used’, and torn down?

According to the City Councilor for the area (Plante), the City is trying to encourage use of public transit to get to The Market. Unfortunately, the only way to get people to use transit is to make using transit MUCH better. Using a ‘Stick’ to try to force transit use will only prevent people from going downtown at all.

And I’m pretty sure that people getting a $100 parking ticket if they stay for more than three hours is NOT what is pulling customers into the Lowertown Brewery.

This was a very frustrating change they made. Other than Thursday and Friday evenings (when time restrictions aren't in effect), I've never seen that parking garage full. It wasn't necessary at all.

As I mentioned a few weeks back, I prefer parking and not having to figure out how much time I'll be there at the machine, or worrying I'll run out of time when I'm out and about. I much prefer gated parking where I can be out as long as I want and pay whatever I need to pay when I leave.

I suspect this was another miss-guided move based on the local businesses' opinions instead of any sort of well thought out policy change.

This move can only hurt the Market.

[BanjoUnchained]

Originally Posted by J.OT13

This was a very frustrating change they made. Other than Thursday and Friday evenings (when time restrictions aren't in effect), I've never seen that parking garage full. It wasn't necessary at all.

As I mentioned a few weeks back, I prefer parking and not having to figure out how much time I'll be there at the machine, or worrying I'll run out of time when I'm out and about. I much prefer gated parking where I can be out as long as I want and pay whatever I need to pay when I leave.

I suspect this was another miss-guided move based on the local businesses' opinions instead of any sort of well thought out policy change.

This move can only hurt the Market.

It was full during weekdays with people who worked in and around the market. All of the construction workers working on projects nearby now shuttle their trucks around to avoid getting tickets, instead of just paying the daily rate at the city lot. The lot is practically empty during weekdays now.

[J.OT13]

Originally Posted by BanjoUnchained

It was full during weekdays with people who worked in and around the market. All of the construction workers working on projects nearby now shuttle their trucks around to avoid getting tickets, instead of just paying the daily rate at the city lot. The lot is practically empty during weekdays now.

These businesses have created a problem for their own employees, and those trucks having to move around to avoid tickets means more traffic. Now we have a big underutilized parking garage that we're investing $2 million in to maintain another 2 years.

The City could have placed a time limit on one level but leave the rest open for unlimited time, like the Glebe parking garage.

[BanjoUnchained]

Originally Posted by J.OT13

These businesses have created a problem for their own employees, and those trucks having to move around to avoid tickets means more traffic. Now we have a big underutilized parking garage that we're investing $2 million in to maintain another 2 years.

The City could have placed a time limit on one level but leave the rest open for unlimited time, like the Glebe parking garage.

The business', politicians and public in general seem to forget that there are people working in the market at all hours of the day, for whom transit isn't always an option. If you want a vibrant destination for tourists and locals alike you need to staff it.

[NOWINYOW]

Originally Posted by BanjoUnchained

The business', politicians and public in general seem to forget that there are people working in the market at all hours of the day, for whom transit isn't always an option. If you want a vibrant destination for tourists and locals alike you need to staff it.

For the last 2 decades city councils have been bending over backwards to make working, shopping and getting around the market area as difficult as possible. Difficult for consumers and difficult for shop owners and workers.

No longer do we have the fresh food vendors. Haven't seen a busker in I don't know how long. Shops closing only to be replaced by pot shops. One can never have too much pot I guess.

And the city wants more people to use transit, all of it on Rideau. Wonderful. Not only are the buses on Rideau but so too all the homeless sleeping on sidewalks. Yeah, that's a sight people I'm sure are paying big bucks to experience.

I know people point the finger at the current mayor, but if you think about it, the decline of the market area has been going on for at least 2 decades and the reasons all point back to city council.

[YOWetal]

Originally Posted by J.OT13

William Street that was supposed to be pedestrianized before the 200th, and was funded, but the Mayor said no because loosing parking spots would kill businesses.

The street is nearly completely dead. Only about half the parking spots are taken, and few of them, if any, are people driving to shop at these particular businesses on William.

100% I was at the taconplace that moved across the market and now has an indoor sort of patio while 6 parking spots take away a potential outdoor area. Though in fairness a lot of the street wasn't really pedestrian oriented so it was mostly people loitering in big comfy chairs. You don't need to discriminate against homeless people but how about enforcing laws.

[harls]

I bet that Clarence St. parking garage gets demolished soon. Replaced with a boutique hotel with underground parking that is leagues higher in price.

[J.OT13]

Originally Posted by harls

I bet that Clarence St. parking garage gets demolished soon. Replaced with a boutique hotel with underground parking that is leagues higher in price.

Do you mean the City's parking garage? We're pouring $2M to keep it on life support for 2 more years and then it's coming down for an art gallery and art studios.