The City of Ottawa is developing a new official plan. (Photo/Devyn Barrie) The City of Ottawa this week released the draft broad directions for the next official plan, the key document that will guide development from 2021 through 2046. There are five of these directions, outlined in a “Five Big Moves” report. ...

A pride flag flies above City Hall. (Photo/Devyn Barrie) The 2019 Ottawa Pride Parade starts at 1:30 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 25 at Bank Street and Gladstone Avenue. It heads north along Kent Street before returning to Bank Street via Laurier Avenue. ...

A photo of Manitoba’s performance in the 2017 edition of Sound of Light, on Aug. 9. (via Sound of Light) This year’s edition of Casino du Lac-Leamy’s Sound of Light show starts on Aug. 10, promising five evenings of outstanding pyrotechnic display. ...

Summer views at Nepean Point. (Photo/Devyn Barrie) We’re nearly halfway through August and the summer is just flying by. But there’s still a lot of hot days and sunshine left. Here’s a list of 40 things you should check out before September. ...

Ottawa City Hall (Photo/Devyn Barrie) The third phase of the Inspire555 series to engage the public and gather input on the new Ottawa Public Library (OPL) and Library and Archives Canada (LAC) joint facility is online now at Inspire555.ca. In a short questionnaire on Public Art and Landscape, Canadians from coast to coast are invited to share their thoughts on the public art they would like to see at the new Ottawa Public Library (OPL) and Library and Archives Canada (LAC) joint facility, and how they would like to use the surrounding exterior spaces. ...

A shot from the city’s cartoon video explaining the R4 zoning review. (City of Ottawa) What’s R4 zoning and how will the City of Ottawa’s review of it help people find more affordable homes? That’s the question this cartoon video the city’s planning department has put out seeks to answer. ...

Approximate extent of Highway 417 closure for Aug. 10–11 weekend. (OttawaStart.com) Highway 417 between Carling Avenue and Bronson Avenue will be fully closed to traffic from Saturday, August 10 at 6 p.m. to Sunday, August 11 at 11 a.m. Significant delays are expected during the closure. ...

One of the NCC’s three bistros that will be open this summer. (From NCC video) The National Capital Commission’s first of a trio of summertime bistros is now open, in Confederation Park. Two more bistros will follow: one is coming to Patterson Creek Park and another to Remic Rapids Park, at dates yet to be announced. ...

Statue of Colonel By in Major’s Hill Park. (Photo/Devyn Barrie) Monday is Colonel By Day in Ottawa (aka the August Civic Holiday / August long weekend) which means a long weekend for most people in Ottawa. But it’s not a statutory holiday so many retail stores will be open. ...

A Confederation Line train being tested. (Photo/Devyn Barrie) Two major LRT-related news items this week… The first is the LRT builder, Rideau Transit Group, achieving “substantial completion” of the Confederation Line. Final testing for 12 consecutive days is underway before the city takes over the system and it’s possible for the line to be open by September if all goes well. ...