A $200-million plan to revitalize Ottawa’s ByWard Market is moving forward, with a city committee approving the initial framework Tuesday, which includes a proposal to retire and repurpose the aging parking garage on Clarence Street. The Finance and Corporate Services Committee passed the redevelopment plan, which sets up the potential for major construction beginning in 2028 and 2029. At the centre of the proposed redevelopment, in the heart of the ByWard Market, is the municipal garage, at 70 Clarence St., which currently has 290 parking spaces. City staff say the structure has reached the end of its functional service life. It will cost $1.9 million to maintain safe operations through 2028. Then a full refurbishment by that year would require an estimated $29.5 million and force the garage to close for two years. Instead, the city is proposing to demolish the building and redevelop the site as a cultural and civic destination. The long-term vision calls for a five-storey arts and community hub with a publicly accessible ground-floor atrium for markets, events and rotating exhibitions. Upper floors would house immersive arts spaces, studios and learning facilities. The proposal also makes room for small retail spaces and the possibility of up to 18 residential units. The above-ground redevelopment is estimated to cost $71.2 million. An underground parking garage is being evaluated as part of the project. That option would cost an additional $51.4 million, including demolition, and would replace roughly 60 per cent of the current capacity. A final recommendation on underground parking or alternative parking options will be brought to council in 2027. In the meantime, the city will convert the Clarence Street garage to three-hour pay-and-display parking between 8:30 a.m. and 7:30 p.m. on weekdays and Saturdays. Staff say the move is intended to increase turnover and maintain short-term access for visitors. Parking ‘essential’ for businesses Business owners say the existing garage remains essential. Jacinto Anguaya, who has operated a shop in the market since 1995, supports a revitalization project but says parking must remain part of the conversation. “Parking is essential in the ByWard Market,” he says. “Change is good and the market needs some change but at the same time when they start planning change, they should think of all the businesses that are here … it’s important to have parking for this area for us and for the restaurants. People need to park somewhere, especially in the wintertime. People don’t want to walk to this area.” Victoria Williston, ByWard Market District Authority executive director, says even without the parking garage, the area has ample parking. “Overall, we have 4,000 spots in the ByWard Market District within a 15-minute walk of the main ByWard Market building,” she says, adding if underground parking can be accommodated within budget, it should be considered. “If it’s within budget and we’re able to then why not, because we’re still getting the above ground needs for the power for the merchants and an art gallery. So that’s still for residents and visitors above and we are just making it a little bit easier for those people who maybe can’t take active transportation or can’t use LRT.” The Clarence Street redevelopment is one of three major long-term projects in the plan. Others include a $40.2 million rehabilitation of 55 ByWard Market Square into a year-round food hall, and a $34.2-million pedestrian-oriented York Street Plaza. Staff recommend coordinating demolition of the Clarence Street garage in 2028 with infrastructure work on York Street, with construction of the new hub and plaza continuing into 2029 and beyond. Anguaya, who owns two shops inside the ByWard Market, worries that when construction start, many small businesses could be left in the dust. “I know two years sounds like it’s far away, but it’s not. It’s something I’m worrying about now,” he says. “This is our main source of income, and we need to know what’s going to happen to us here. The city needs to give us a plan.” Most of the funding has not been secured. City staff say some of the costs would rely on a mix of municipal debt, government funding, parking reserves and partnerships.
