‘Beautiful, bright space:’ New public square looks to help revitalize the ByWard Market

Carré ByWard Square is a new public gathering space, featuring performers, play structures and a licenced bar. (Kimberley Johnson/CTV News Ottawa)

Ottawa’s most popular tourist destination has a new attraction.

The “Carré ByWard Square” is a new public gathering space located on ByWard Market Square, the George Street Plaza and the plaza in front of EQ3, offering live music, vendor stalls, a licenced bar and seating areas in an effort to revitalize the area and bring people from across the city this summer.

The 12-week pilot project, built by the City of Ottawa and the ByWard Market District Authority, also features a play area with play structures described as “spinning tops” and local pop-up vendors.

Victoria Williston, executive director of the ByWard Market District Authority, says seating in the area is meant to support local businesses.

“There are a lot of cafes and patios in the district, but then there are also a lot of shops where they aren’t able to have a patio or even cafe seating out front, so they are limited to the inside,” Williston said. “In the summer, people do want to be outside, and they want to be enjoying the sun and the space.”

Part of the project is a vendor village featuring primarily of ByWard Market businesses.

Lindsay Da Silva, one of the owners of Smart Shop Thrift Shop on Dalhousie Street, has three dates as a pop-up vendor hoping to draw more local and tourist business to her brick-and-motor vintage clothing store.

“(It) puts us on the map, and let them know this is what, we carry at our store,” she said.

“We just wanted to be more in person with the community in the ByWard Market. We’re not too far on Dalhousie Street, but we wanted to reach out and come into a really fun space.”

The installation of the square faced pushback with some business owners who worried the construction would block parts of ByWard Market Square, the street that runs to the west of the ByWard Market building, on Canada Day, when thousands of visitors descend on the area.

The city reduced the construction footprint on Canada Day to give visitors more access to George Street and ByWard Market Square.

Some businesses say now that it’s here, they are optimistic.

“Especially after the live music is ending or before it starts, people are looking for something to do,” said Elie Kazzi, manager of Oh So Good. “They are pretty close so they end up coming here.”

Carré ByWard Square will remain open until September 27. Williston says programming will primarily happen Thursday through Sunday, but the square itself will be open 24 hours.

Williston says there will be security on-site at all times and bags will be checked to address public safety concerns.

“If you wanted to come and sit down here at 11 at night, you can we do have security 24 hours, seven-days-a-week. There will be that safety and security element there as well, because that is paramount to what we do and what happens in the vibrant market.”

Brian Babb spent the morning with his three kids in the area. The east end resident says it’s been a few years since he’s come to the area, but appreciates the family-friendly activities.

“We love it. It’s great to come out to the market again,” he said. “I got to say, this is a big change. It’s a nice turnaround, and it’s good to see families out and everybody smiling and having a good time.”

Ottawa resident Dan Kreft comes to the ByWard Market often and says he’s supportive of the new space.

“A beautiful, bright space. I love the fact that we have areas to sit outside and chill and enjoy the music here.”

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