“Build it and they will come.” The famous line from Field of Dreams has been in my head these last couple of weeks, as I have seen all the amazing events that have been popping up in the new Uncommon Spaces off of Bank Street on Florence, Frank and MacLaren.
Yoga classes, live painting, stand-up comedy, jazz, a screen-printing workshop and a board game meet-up are just a sample of the ways that people have been using these new, free outdoor spaces.
A partnership between the city, the Centretown BIA, the Urban Art Collective, Music.Art.Ppl and many other businesses and community groups, the Uncommon Spaces show what happens when we all work together to re-imagine our downtown core.
I hear a lot about the challenges associated with homelessness, addiction and public safety on Bank Street in particular. And that’s why we have paired these new investments in the public realm with increased street outreach and peer support. The city has added two new, dedicated community engagement team members specifically to Centretown (you may see them walking the streets in neon yellow vests with Naloxone kits hanging from them).
We also worked to secure funding for the Somerset West Community Health Centre to launch a new Peer Outreach Team. The team is made up of people with lived experience, who can engage directly with people experiencing homelessness or addiction.
They can respond to issues such as people in distress, public drug use and needle clean-ups. The team is available seven days a week, from 10am-8pm. Call or text them at 613-447-0029, or 343-543-7615, or email them at [email protected]. This is in addition to ANCHOR, which is available in Centretown at 211 to deal with mental health and substance use crises 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
You may also notice that Bank Street is looking cleaner these days. The city has replaced all the garbage cans and replaced them with three-stream recycling and garbage receptacles. And the Centretown BIA and the city have invested in more frequent and robust street cleaning.
This is what it takes to revitalize downtown Ottawa: a real commitment from the city and other levels of government, partnerships with community groups, the arts community and local businesses, plus a leap of faith that providing free, fun public spaces will draw more people to Centretown.
Here are some of the fun things happening at the Uncommon Space at Bank and Florence over the next few days:
Come be part of the Block Party every Saturday evening with Music.Art.Ppl and friends. Join us as we welcome some of our favourite collaborators to help us shake up the block. Expect some of the best beats and performances mixed with activities every Saturday evening.
Come get in the flow with Music.Art.Ppl and Soungui Fitness for Wellness Wednesdays. Expect a mix of movement inspired classes including activities such as yoga, dance, fitness and more.
Join Music.Art.Ppl every Friday as we welcome a wide array of musicians to perform at Friday Night Live. From acoustic and unplugged performances to full bands, expect a groovy start to your weekend every Friday as we host some of the region's most talented musicians and melody makers.
Join us every Friday as we welcome a wide array of musicians to perform for Friday Lunchtime Rhythms. Get your weekend going right and join us in the heart of Centretown.
I look forward to hearing about all the fun you are having in our Uncommon Spaces. You can find the full list of upcoming events here.
Warmly,
Ariel
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New grocery store coming to 340 Queen Street
The “coming soon” sign is up, which makes it official: a Food Basics store is opening right beside Lyon Station on August 28. North Centretown has been a food desert for far too long, and I am happy to see that the population density due to new development in the area has tipped the scales in favour of a new grocery store.
I know the seniors that live in the condos and apartment buildings nearby will be thrilled – access to groceries in walking distance was the number one issue that these neighbours flagged when I knocked on doors in the area during the 2022 election. We deal with what seems like endless construction noise in Centretown, and it’s nice to see that some of this pain leads to concrete gain – like more options for buying groceries in the neighbourhood.
Brand-new basketball court at St. Luke’s Park
Have you checked out the new, state-of-the art basketball court at St. Luke’s Park at Elgin and Frank yet? Our office worked closely with the basketball community to build the nicest city-owned court in Ottawa, contributing $800,000 from the Ward 14 Cash-In-Lieu of Parkland fund to make it happen.
The improvements include LED lighting that will stay on till 11pm, a plexi-pave sprung surface, new nets and uppers, and a concrete pad that was built with enough elevation to prevent warping from nearby tree roots.
I hope you can join me and the St. Luke’s Basketball Community Association on Saturday, August 16 at 11 am, to officially cut the ribbon on the new court and celebrate together. More details to come.
Speaking out on Bill 9
I spoke to the Ontario government’s committee hearing on Bill 9 last month, urging them to ensure that chronic harassers and abusers can be removed from office if recommended by both the local and provincial Integrity Commissioners.
The bar for removing an elected official from office should be high, but not impossible. At the most recent council meeting, I introduced a motion that passed unanimously, urging the provincial government to change the threshold required for a vote of removal from 100 percent to two-thirds or three-quarters.
Women politicians and staffers deserve a safe work environment, and chronic perpetrators must be brought to justice. You can watch my comments at the Bill 9 committee hearings here.
Upcoming traffic impacts for IRONMAN
Ottawa’s streets will transform into an IRONMAN racecourse on Sunday, August 3. Road closures are expected to start as early as 3 am on Sunday, August 3. Roads will be reopened to traffic once participants complete that section of the course. Some roads may be closed until approximately 1 am on Monday, August 4.
Major roads impacted by the event include:
For more details and updates on traffic and closures, click here.
Resources for extreme heat
When both temperature and humidity are high, it can be hard for our bodies to keep cool and not overheat. Extreme heat events can cause heat-related illnesses and in some cases, even death.
Heat warnings mean extra precautions need to be taken by everyone. People at even higher risk of getting sick from the heat include infants and older adults; pregnant people; those who work or exercise outdoors; those with pre-existing health conditions; people experiencing homelessness; and people without access to air conditioning. It is important to think ahead and plan for ways to stay cool and keep in touch with others who may have difficulty staying cool, especially during a heat warning.
For more information about extreme heat, resources to help you stay cool and information about city services during extreme weather events, visit Ottawa Public Health’s beat the heat website.
New Who to Call list available
The Somerset West Community Health Centre has put together a new “Who To Call” list for residents.
You can view the list and find a copy to print and share with neighbours online here.
Fall and winter registration for recreation programs
For newcomers, older adults, parents or anyone who wants to be active and social, our programs and spaces offer a welcoming environment to meet others. Explore everything from visual arts and music lessons to language classes, cooking workshops and dance. There are also sports activities and swimming lessons for everyone.
New this season is French improv classes for youth.
Registration information:
Mark your calendars with these important fall registration dates:
Upcoming winter activity registration dates:
Happy New Year! I hope you had time to rest and to re-connect with family and friends over the holidays.
People in Centretown are very generous. I know that so many of you donate your time or your money to worthy organizations in our community.