Rideau Street Hudson's Bay and Freiman Mall

[Richard Eade]

Originally Posted by TransitZilla

My vote is to reopen Mosgrove St. https://www.facebook.com/LostOttawa/post...y-from-rideau-to-georg/1909896745776207/

(Same view today: https://www.google.com/maps/@45.4260398,..._ep=EgoyMDI2MDUwMi4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D)

Ah, the olden days. The days of awnings to protect customers from the elements as they looked at the display of goods through the large windows. Displays that would regularly change as the store promoted their latest arrivals.

Nostalgia. Only the best memories.

Now we have barren sidewalks and marketing posters in windows, blocking the view of what’s inside and only changed after years of fading.

A few things to note about the old Lost Ottawa photo:

• The overhead pedestrian protection along the sidewalks, as mentioned above.
• The decorative lamp posts, which seem to be set at a height that illuminates the sidewalk – i.e., pedestrian scale, and not shining into the upper storey windows.
• The utility pole placement on the apex of the corners, which force vehicles to take a wider turn to protect their vehicles – thus protecting pedestrians from getting clipped. (Although, in modern times, an arc of bollards would allow for a clearer view.)

And one more observation: No traffic signals.