Streetside Spots will give new identity to parking spaces

The City of Ottawa has launched the Streetside Spots pilot project today by inviting businesses and community groups to redefine parking spaces with different looks, designs and uses.

Streetside spots are small outdoor spaces created by temporarily re-purposing on-street parking spaces.  They contribute to a vibrant and liveable community while sharing the right of way space with pedestrians of all abilities, cyclists and drivers.

The City will grant up to 25 permits to allow on-street parking spaces to be converted to one of three forms:

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Streetside parklet – a public space that may contain seating, shading, bike parking or a games table.

 * 
Streetside patio – a private space reserved for patrons of a café or restaurant that does not have an existing patio.

 * 
Streetside vending stall – an outdoor business space for the sale of merchandise.

For local businesses, Streetside Spots can be an extension of their regular business locations.

The City will grant permits for the spring-to-fall season of 2016. As part of the criteria, an eligible parking space must be:

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On a street with a speed limit of 50 km/h or less

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Located in a parking zone that is not subject to time limits

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In a location that has no existing patio or an opportunity to get an outdoor patio under the Encroachment By-Law

For more information on Streetside Spots, including applications and design criteria, please visit the City’s website, ottawa.ca or call 3-1-1. The application deadline is December 7.

Anyone interested in learning more about Streetside Spots can attend an information meeting at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, October 20 in the Richmond Room at Ottawa City Hall, 110 Laurier Avenue West.