Ottawa to spend $500,000 to enhance façades of historic Bank Street buildings

The sign outside City Hall in Ottawa (CTV News Ottawa)

The City of Ottawa is looking to make aesthetic improvements to the façade of commercial heritage buildings to strengthen the historic character of buildings in the Bank Street area of Centretown.

The Built Heritage Committee approved a plan to establish a $500,000 Centretown Heritage Façade Improvement Pilot Program to encourage the restoration and conservation of heritage buildings.

Under the plan, eligible owners could receive 75 per cent of costs up to a maximum of $75,000 to support heritage façade improvements and restoration.

“The objective is to encourage private investment in the revitalization of the Bank Street corridor as part of the broader revitalization plan for Centretown,” says the report for the June 10 committee meeting.

“Through aesthetic façade improvements such as signage, lighting, commercial storefront improvements and heritage conservation projects such as masonry conservation, private property owners can help contribute to a vibrant Bank Street. These efforts will help reinforce a special sense of place along Bank Street as a historic main street in the downtown core.”

The Centretown Business Improvement Area says it is “very excited” about the program.

“Centretown is home to some of the city’s most beautiful heritage buildings, many of which line Bank Street,” Sabrina Lemay, Executive Director of the Centretown BIA, told the committee on Tuesday.

“This program empowers our community to breath new life into the Centretown streetscape. It gives our members the tools they need to enhance the appearance, accessibility and experience of our buildings.”

The chair of the Built Heritage Committee, coun. Rawlson King, said the pilot project is a “strategic investment” in Centretown’s economic and cultural future.

“The expected outcomes are increased property tax revenues, reduced commercial vacancy rates, enhanced economic activity and even tourism,” King said, adding it will preserve buildings on one of Ottawa’s main street.

Staff say eligible work includes improvements and restoration of storefront windows, entrances, brickwork, cornices and architectural detailing, and heritage compliant awnings, signage, painting, and lighting.

The report says while a Heritage Property Grant Program already exists, the need for additional investment on Bank and Somerset streets “has been identified through the city’s ongoing work on downtown revitalization.”

“With additional funding and tailored support, the City would empower property owners to meaningfully conserve heritage features while contributing to the vibrancy of this historic main street,” staff say.

Buildings eligible for the funding must be designated under the Ontario Heritage Act and be located on Bank Street, between Catherine and Albert Street, and a section of Somerset Street east of Bank Street.

The proposed Centretown Heritage Façade Improvement Pilot Program would run between this summer and the end of December 2026.