I had to see it for myself to believe it. After a partial collapse and 17 years of neglect, construction is finally underway to restore Somerset House.
The building, first opened in 1896, was a department store for the Crosby, Carruthers Company. Over the years, it housed a hotel, an apartment building, a rooming house, a dry goods store, and the Duke of Somerset pub.
For any of us who live or work in Centretown, Somerset House has become the poster child for demolition by neglect. Both previous councillors for Somerset Ward worked hard to try and get the restoration and reconstruction moving. Thanks to diligent and patient work by city staff, we finally saw some movement in 2023, when council approved a plan to restore and stabilize the building.
Last week, the cement was poured for the rear addition on Somerset Street. The renewed Somerset House will preserve its historic façade, add 14 rental units, include ground-floor retail, and contribute to local parkland.
This project complements broader city investments in Bank Street’s public realm and community safety, rolling out this summer. These investments include:
Seeing these new investments in Centretown gives me a lot of hope. I can’t wait to see you in some of these revitalized spaces this summer.
Warmly,
Ariel
Councillor Troster in front of Somerset House
People Powered Budgets: A community conversation
Please join me and Councillor Jeff Leiper on Thursday June 26 from 7 to 9pm at the Plant Recreation Centre, 930 Somerset Street West.
The budget is one of the city’s most important documents. Our goal is to have a conversation about building a people-centered budget that enhances services and infrastructure in the urban core.
The 2026 budget will not be tabled until this fall. In the meantime, councillor-led consultations like this one will take place throughout the city.
In addition to city staff, we will have a series of presenters on hand to provide context on their respective areas of expertise:
Sign up for the event here. You can also learn more about the city’s budget process and take the city’s budget questionnaire here.
Update on the Northwood Clinic in Chinatown
You may have seen in the media that the Northwood Clinic, which was supposed to close on June 9, has remained open – with the same staff, but under new management. This was a surprise to me, and in my interviews with the media, I expressed the sense of betrayal felt by the community when hearing this news.
My office will be meeting with the clinic’s new management, to make our expectations around security and the prevention of diversion of narcotics clear. As I have mentioned before, the municipality has no ability to regulate a health care clinic of this nature. I am a firm supporter of harm reduction but I expect all clinics dispensing Safe Supply to operate as accountable community partners. I am also working with MPP Catherine McKenney to push for changes at the provincial level that could help tackle addiction, while also keeping communities safe.
Concerns about new security measures at City Hall
A lot of you have written to me about the new security procedures at City Hall. I share your frustration with these new impediments to accessing important public spaces. Security matters are delegated to staff, and these new measures were not a result of a political decision. I will continue to collect your feedback and share it with city staff. I hope we can improve the experience for all of you who come to City Hall.
Kent Street Functional Design Study (Somerset Street to Catherine Street)
The City of Ottawa has initiated a Functional Design Study for Kent Street from Somerset Street to Catherine Street. This study will explore the potential to reduce the number of vehicular lanes and reallocate this space to active transportation improvements for pedestrians and cyclists. The City of Ottawa is undertaking this study in anticipation of an integrated road, water and sewer reconstruction of Kent Street from Somerset Street to Florence Street. The segment from Florence Street to Catherine Street is not currently planned for reconstruction. As such, only lower impact measures such as pavement markings, pinned curbs and flex posts will be considered for the southern segment and are subject to future budget approval.
The renewal of this corridor will implement the vision of the City of Ottawa Official Plan, which identifies Kent Street as a minor corridor within a design priority area. The Centretown Community Design Plan (CDP) objectives are to make Kent Street more pedestrian friendly and green. Kent Street does not have a cycling designation under the 2023 Transportation Master Plan, however as an arterial road, dedicated cycling facilities are recommended as part of all reconstruction projects.
The city will be hosting a virtual public info session on Tuesday, June 17 at 6:30pm. For more info and to RSVP, click here.
Night Ambassadors are coming to the ByWard Market
Starting June 27 until early November, the Night Ambassadors will be in the Market on Fridays and Saturdays from 9:30 pm to 4 am. Providing additional eyes on the street, the Night Ambassadors will enhance community safety and wellbeing by:
The ByWard Market Night Ambassador pilot program was inspired by successful night ambassador programs in other Canadian cities like Vancouver and Montreal. It is just one of the steps the City is taking to ensure the ByWard Market District is a safe, welcoming space for everyone.
Transportation Master Plan updates
The City of Ottawa is currently updating its Transportation Master Plan (TMP). The TMP is the City’s long-range strategy for planning, developing, and operating its walking, cycling, transit and vehicular networks. Ottawa has grown into a city of one million residents. Over the next two decades, our city will gain approximately 400,000 new residents and 160,000 new jobs. With that kind of growth, the City needs to plan for a flexible, dependable, safe and efficient transportation network and encourage a shift to sustainable and space-efficient modes of travel.
The TMP Part 1 Policies, approved in April 2023, established a policy framework for improving Ottawa’s transportation system across all modes. The TMP Part 2 - Capital Infrastructure Plan is currently being prepared and will be finalized this July. The Capital Infrastructure Plan will identify the transit, road, and active transportation investments that are required to support Ottawa’s projected growth and achieve mobility objectives. The Plan recommends road and transit projects that are needed to accommodate growth and intensification. It also identifies a subset of projects that are affordable within the City’s long-range financial plans and that should be prioritized for implementation.
This spring, the City conducted consultations (“TMP Phase 5”) on the draft Capital Infrastructure Plan and invited comments on several reports which present the projects and networks within the Capital Infrastructure Plan. The consultation process included online surveys and eight open houses where residents could provide feedback. The project website also includes the Phase 5 Consultation Summary Report and the Changes Report that summarize feedback received and how it has been used to refine the draft Capital Infrastructure Plan.
The TMP Capital Infrastructure Plan will be finalized and brought forward for approval to the Public Works and Infrastructure Committee (PWIC) meeting on June 26 and Council on July 23, 2025. The Capital Infrastructure Plan and supporting materials will be released in advance of the PWIC meeting.
Let’s Bike Month
Let’s Bike Month is an annual campaign that encourages people to try cycling as a fun and healthy transportation option. Participants in the campaign can:
Whether you want to try biking for the first time, use the campaign to encourage your employer to support alternative commuting options, or encourage others in your life to give it a try, Let’s Bike Month provides the resources and motivation to help!
Learn more online here.
Free youth workout passes
This summer, Ottawa's youth have an exciting opportunity to stay active and healthy, thanks to the Tony Graham Youth Workout Pass. Now in its third year, this initiative is part of a ten-year partnership between Tony Graham Automotive Group and the City of Ottawa, aimed at investing in recreation programming for youth across our city.
The Tony Graham Youth Workout Pass offers a free weight and cardio-room membership to Ottawa youth aged 13 to 17. This pass is valid from July 2 to August 31, providing a fantastic chance for young residents to engage in physical activity during the summer months.
For more info, click here.
Invitation to ACORN's Big Meeting on Safe & Adequate Housing
Landlords let buildings fall apart—leaky ceilings, pests, broken appliances—while tenants are left to suffer with no repairs in sight. They profit off our rent while ignoring basic maintenance.
Join ACORN’s Healthy Homes Meeting to hear from ACORN members about our campaign for landlord licensing—a tool to hold neglectful landlords accountable, protect tenants, and shift the balance of power.
We will also have guest speakers like Ricardo Tranjan (author of The Tenant Class) and city councillors will be there to hear directly from tenants about landlord neglect.
When: Tuesday, June 24 at 6:00 PM
Where: Tom Brown Arena (141 Bayview Station Rd)
RSVP online here.
Urban Planners often refer to the concept of “Third Spaces” – places outside of your home or office, where you can unwind and feel part of your community.
The Somerset West Community Health Centre has put together a new “Who To Call” list for residents. For a printable version of this list, click here.
Spring has finally sprung, after nearly two weeks of dreary weather. This means community events have kicked into high gear, and I am seeing so many of you at festivals, AGMs, markets and fundraisers.