Ecology Ottawa

News Clippings

Walkable Rideau project starts Monday

Metro News

By Emma Jackson, Ottawa Metro News, April 3, 2016

Imagine: a place to walk and talk, enjoy a coffee or read a book along Rideau Street.Hard to believe? Well, it's true: a block of Nicholas Street between Rideau and Besserer will close to car traffic forever on Monday as construction begins on a new pedestrian plaza.

Funded mostly by Cadillac Fairview, which owns the Rideau Centre next door, Ogilvy Square will support “a variety of outdoor functions including cafes and programmable space for artistic installations and special events,” according to the city.

Cycling hitting 'critical mass' in Ottawa: group

Metro News

By Emma Jackson, Ottawa Metro News, April 3, 2016

Cycling in Ottawa has reached a “tipping point” and needs more infrastructure to keep up, a local advocacy group says.

Citizens for Safe Cycling’s annual report, released Saturday, shows cycling trips have jumped 44 per cent between 2010 and 2015.

That’s based on data from three bike counters located on the Alexandra Bridge, the Ottawa River path near the O-Train and the eastern canal path near the Corktown footbridge.

Bohemian waxwings killed after striking city hall walkway, says group - Ottawa - CBC News

By CBC News Ottawa, April 3, 2016

More than 30 bohemian waxwings were killed after colliding with a glass walkway at Ottawa City Hall, according to a local group devoted to reducing bird deaths.

Safe Wings Ottawa began tweeting photographic evidence Saturday of the discovery of dead and injured bohemian waxwings beneath the walkway, which connects the main city hall building with the nearby heritage wing.

The train is coming: City says LRT tunnel excavation on schedule

Ottawa Citizen

By Matthew Pearson, Ottawa Citizen, April 3, 2016

Unless you’re living on top of it, the work going on beneath the downtown core on Ottawa’s Confederation line LRT tunnel could easily go unnoticed.

Much of what’s happening, as machines mine a 2.5-kilometre tunnel 15 metres underground, remains far from the view of a curious public.

StittsvilleCentral.ca

By Stittsville Central, March 31, 2016

Following the July 2009 flooding event in Stittsville, flood control measures were evaluated and a mitigation plan was recommended. The current phase of the plan consists of undertaking flood control measures in the Westwood, Cypress Gardens, Basswood, West Wind, Woodside and Harris lands neighbourhoods,. This area extends from Hartsmere Drive to the south, Abbott Street to the north and the development limits to the east and west (see Figure).

The City is installing approximately 650 special restrictors called Inlet Control Devices (ICDs) into catch basins across the study area.

West end finally gets a vegan restaurant

StittsvilleCentral.ca

By Pamela Tourigny, Stittsville Central, April 1, 2016

After selling her wares at farmers’ markets and via catering for several, Melanie Boudens has signed a lease on a permanent spot in Kanata for Grow Your Roots.

The vegan restaurant will be opening later this spring at 474 Hazeldean Road, at the corner of Hazeldean and Castlefrank. This interview originally appeared on Pamela Tourigny’s blog.

Urban agriculture camp for teens comes to region

Ottawa Citizen

By Evelyn Harford, Ottawa Citizen, April 1, 2016

The roots of change could be planted in the capital region this summer. Enviro Éduc-Action, a Gatineau environmentalist group, is set to open an urban agriculture summer camp for teens.

The camp, the first of its kind in the area, will be run in partnership with the Moore Farm located less than 10 kilometres outside Ottawa’s city centre.

Storm water rate consultation at city hall a drizzle compared to flood of attendance in rural areas

By Jennifer McIntosh, Ottawa Community News, April 1, 2016

Residents trickled into the city’s public consultation meeting on new options for the city’s stormwater, water and wastewater rates at city hall on March 30.

The city’s proposed changes to water rates haven’t drawn much ire from residents in the core, said Capital Coun. and environment committee chair David Chernushenko.

Committee votes in favour of starting work on ‘smart city’

By Jennifer McIntosh, Ottawa Community News, April 1, 2016

The future is now, heard the city’s IT sub committee on March 31.

A motion by Kitchissippi Coun. Jeff Leiper was passed, aimed at forming a working group to start work on making Ottawa smarter.

It’s more than just working on creating a fibre optic network, said Saad Bashir, director of economic development.

Beechwood Village merchants worried about proposed changes

CTV Ottawa News

By Joanne Schnurr, CTV News Ottawa, April 1, 2016

Some merchants along Ottawa's Beechwood Avenue say city plans to revitalize that road could come at the cost of their businesses. The city says this corridor along Beechwood is a critical component of the east-west bike route.

But the proposed changes are pitting bikes against businesses. This area is one of the last traditional main streets to be developed in the city. And everyone wants to get it right.Businesses along that strip say they aren't against the addition of bike lanes but they are against the loss of parking spots.

Transpo U-Pass to include summer students at Carleton and U of O

Ottawa & Regi

By Bryson Masse, Ottawa Sun, April 1, 2016

During the next summer semester, students at Carleton and the University of Ottawa will be eligible for OC Transpo’s U-Pass.

The price will remain the same as the last two semesters at $192.70, plus a small administration fee. To qualify, the student must be enrolled in at least one course credit and be registered full-time. The U-Pass is a mandatory purchase for the majority of students at the universities in the city.

Contamination ruled out after Chelsea, Que., garage fire - Ottawa - CBC News

By CBC News Ottawa, April 1, 2016

Quebec's environment ministry says air and water is safe in Chelsea, Que., after a fire at a body shop and scrapyard Thursday night forced some nearby residents from their homes due to heavy smoke.

Firefighters and police were called to 623 Highway 105 at about 7:30 p.m. Thursday where Ben's Towing was engulfed in flames.