Information session on redesign of ByWard Market’s George Street Plaza May 11

_ (press release) _ Residents are invited to a public information session to learn about plans to revamp George Street Plaza in the ByWard Market. The session will take place on Wednesday, May 11, from 6 to 8 p.m. on Freiman Bridge – the pedestrian overpass across Rideau Street that links the Rideau Centre with the Hudson’s Bay Company.

The City is proposing to redesign the area, located south of the ByWard Market Building and bounded by ByWard Market Square to the west, William Street to the east and George Street to the south. The proposed design promises a more inviting, pedestrian-friendly public space where people will want to congregate.

Designs for the plaza will be presented for discussion at the public session. The designs will be available on ottawa.ca following the information session.

This project is part of the City’s multi-year plan to revitalize the ByWard Market, making it a more active and vibrant public space. Construction on George Street Plaza is planned to start in September. When it’s completed in mid-2017, the revitalized George Street Plaza will be an ideal space for gatherings, arts programming and special or seasonal events.

The project will also serve to strengthen the relationship between the ByWard Market and the O-Train Confederation Line, when the nearby Rideau light rail transit station opens in 2018.

Other changes coming as part of this revitalization project include creating a new governance model to manage the market. While the ByWard Market remains popular among residents and tourists, this initiative aims to foster a more creative and innovative retail space to emphasize its role as a public market, and complement its thriving reputation as a nightlife entertainment destination.

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