Letter: Please, no cars on Sparks Street
Ottawa Citizen

By Caroline Herbert, Ottawa Citizen Letter to the Editor, May 1, 2015

Re: Why do people think cars would save Sparks?, April 28. I appeal to Mayor Jim Watson to fight for the preservation of the Sparks Street Mall with no cars. Years ago the mall was vibrant with life and despaired as the decline and barren feel crept in. I attribute most of this decline to the removal of the trees and the gathering places around them. As it is now, the only way people can sit and enjoy the sun is if they go to the patio restaurants. Where are the birds and real flowers? And why does CBC turn its back on us? Vancouver’s CBC has a court-stage area where vibrant musical and other events occur and attract passersby. via Letter: Please, no cars on Sparks Street | Ottawa Citizen.

Ottawa gets rolling with Bike to Work month campaign
Ottawa Citizen

By Tania Kirnishni, Ottawa Citizen, May 1, 2015

With spring finally here, it’s a good time to get your bicycle out of the garage and brush off the cobwebs. May is Bike to Work month in Ottawa. The city and EnviroCentre encourage cyclists to take part in the Pledge Challenge and track the distances of their bike commutes. Participants can win up to $7,000 in prizes, either individually or as a team. via Ottawa gets rolling with Bike to Work month campaign | Ottawa Citizen.

Sutcliffe: Ask the right questions about Sparks Street
Ottawa Citizen

By Mark Suttcliffe, Ottawa Citizen, April 1, 2015

Everyone seems to think the essential debate about the future of Sparks Street is whether or not to reintroduce cars to the pedestrian mall. But the persistent problems and the potential solutions have more to do with the buildings on either side of the street than the traffic on it. Adding cars, either during off-peak hours or throughout the day, wouldn’t change some of the fundamental challenges faced by the street, but it probably wouldn’t hurt. The only reason people resist the idea is because they’re convinced a pedestrian mall can work in Ottawa, even though Sparks has been struggling for a long time. Some people claim more research is required, but we’ve run a live test for a few decades now and the results have been pretty consistent. via Sutcliffe: Ask the right questions about Sparks Street | Ottawa Citizen.

Richcraft revises proposed Rideau Street development

By Alex Robinson, Ottawa Community News, April 29, 2015

More than a decade after Richcraft Group first proposed a development for 560 Rideau St., the developer has revised its plans for the property once again. The developer’s most recent rendition of its plans includes a 14-storey high-rise tower sitting atop a three-storey podium at the corner of Rideau and Cobourg streets. It would also feature a seven-storey building on Rideau Street and a three and a half-storey apartment building on Besserer Street. via Richcraft revises proposed Rideau Street development.

Community blasts proposed Cumberland Street development

By Alex Robinson, Ottawa Community News, April 30, 2015

A nine-storey tower proposed for 339 Cumberland St. has provoked fierce opposition from the Lowertown Community Association. Developer EcoCorner Inc. has applied for a zoning bylaw amendment that would allow it to build a mixed-use building with retail on the ground floor and 48 residential units on the site. (...) “The site is too small to support a narrow nine-story building,” said Liz Bernstein, the president of the association, in a letter to city staff. via Community blasts proposed Cumberland Street development.

Winter roads in Ontario ‘less safe’ since privatization: auditor
Metro

By Ottawa Metro News, April 29, 2015

Ontario saved money for taxpayers by contracting out winter road maintenance but safety was compromised when snowstorms weren’t cleared quickly enough, the province’s Auditor General Bonnie Lysyk says in a damning new report. “Over the past five years, winter highway maintenance service levels have declined,” Lysyk said in her 43-page report following an investigation requested by the legislature’s public accounts committee. via Winter roads in Ontario ‘less safe’ since privatization: auditor | Metro.

More bus detours will come with next phase of LRT
Ottawa & Region
News
Ott

By Jon Willing, Ottawa Sun, April 29, 2015

There will be more bus detours when the second phase of LRT begins construction in the west end, but one councillor already sees some optimism. Kitchissippi Coun. Jeff Leiper likes that the city is thinking about where the buses will go when the western and southwestern sections of the Transitway are converted to rail. via More bus detours will come with next phase of LRT | Ottawa & Region | News | Ott.

NCC says garbage dumped in Gatineau Park could net $100 fine - Ottawa - CBC News

By CBC News Ottawa, April 29, 2015

The culprit behind piles of household waste and car parts spread along the shoulder of the road in Gatineau Park could face a fine of $100, the National Capital Commission said. Empty bottles of Coors Light, Weider weights and an outdoor play structure line Eardley Road but the mess is expected to be cleaned up by Thursday, the NCC said. via NCC says garbage dumped in Gatineau Park could net $100 fine - Ottawa - CBC News.

What happened at Ottawa city council April 29
Ottawa Citizen

By Joanne Chianello and Matthew Pearson, Ottawa Citizen, April 29, 2015

Patios made permanent The Elgin Street sidewalk patios that were created as part of a pilot project are here to stay. Patios south of MacLaren Street, where pedestrian levels are lower, must leave 1.8 metres of clear sidewalk, while patios north of MacLaren, are required to leave two metres of clearance because of the greater number of pedestrians. via What happened at Ottawa city council April 29 | Ottawa Citizen.

Plasco gets extended creditor protection; city secures decommissioning money
Ottawa Citizen

By Joanne Chianello, Ottawa Citizen, April 29, 2015

The city secured $300,000 from Plasco Energy Group on Wednesday to pay for dismantling its Trail Road plant, the same day the struggling waste-to-energy firm was granted an additional two months’ protection from its creditors. Plasco has been under court protection from its creditors since Feb. 10. For weeks now, the city and Plasco’s lawyers have been sparring over the company’s $300,000 letter of credit to the city earmarked for decommissioning the plant. The letter of credit, issued by the Bank of Nova Scotia, expires on June 20, so it was imperative that the city take possession of the funds before then. via Plasco gets extended creditor protection; city secures decommissioning money | Ottawa Citizen.
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