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A group of merchants in Ottawa’s historic ByWard Market building is calling on the city to scrap its vision for redeveloping 55 ByWard Market Square, saying they fear renovations could permanently close long-standing businesses.
The newly formed ByWard Market Tenant Alliance, made up of the 16 tenants in the building, has launched a petition asking council to repeal the current redevelopment concept, saying it will prioritize food vendors over the mix of retail and food businesses that are currently there.
“It’s going to affect our livelihood,” said Jacinto Anguaya, owner of Quichua World Market and Tickled Pink.
According to the revitalization plan, the historic market building would be transformed into a food hall with open-concept seating and a new second floor patio.
A rendering of the inside of the historic market building after renovations. (City of Ottawa)
While Anguaya said he supports the city making improvements to the building, he worries the redesign overlooks businesses like his that have kept it alive for years
Merchants have survived COVID-19, the freedom convoy, labour disruptions, and years of challenges in the market, only to now worry they could lose their stores if the redevelopment moves ahead, Anguaya said.
“We are human beings, we have our lives already set,” he said. “We want to just work in peace.”
The lack of consultation has left many tenants anxious about their future, according to Maxine Hill, owner of Canada in a Basket and spokesperson for the alliance.
“That is very frightening to all of us,” she said.
After investing tens of thousands of dollars into her businesses, Hill said she’s unsure what would happen if she were forced to leave.
“I’m very, very nervous,” she said. “What am I supposed to do?”
Tenants only became aware of the proposal through public documents, according to Hill.
“We have not been consulted about this at any time,” she said.
The petition argues the city should simply repair the aging heritage building rather than undertaking a broader redevelopment.
“Let’s fix our ByWard Market. It’s a beautiful place,” Hill said.
City staff had visited the affected tenants to discuss the potential future work during the development of the revilitization plan, acccording to the city’s manager of ByWard Market Strategic Projects, Amanda Mullins.
“Staff reiterated that there were no short-term impacts to tenants during these conversations,” she wrote in an email to CBC.
Rideau-Vanier Coun. Stéphanie Plante says she shares the concerns of ByWard Market tenants. (Nykolas Robitaille/CBC)City responsible for maintenance, councillor says
Rideau-Vanier Coun. Stephanie Plante, whose ward includes the ByWard Market, said she’s recently met with members of the alliance and says she does “absolutely share their concerns.”
The city-owned building requires significant upgrades, Plante said, stressing that the project remains in its early stages.
“There is no money, there’s no plans yet. Everything is just kind of in a conceptual stage,” she said.
But the city has an obligation to preserve its assets, Plante said. “It is our job to maintain this building and bring it up to standards.”
Merchants want to be involved in any future discussions about the building’s future, Plante acknowledged.
“The city needs to consult with them going forward,” she said. “And I think that’s a very fair ask.”
The city said major construction is not anticipated before 2028, after the city’s bicentennial celebrations, and is dependent on funding and approval.