December 2023

Hello Centretowners!

CCA Annual General Meeting on Tuesday, January 30, 2024

Mark your calendars for CCA’s Annual General Meeting on Tuesday, January 30, 2024.

In order to participate in the Annual General Meeting and vote in the elections, please renew your CCA membership before the AGM. To renew, or become a new member, please visit the CCA’s website here.

Call for Candidates

The Nominating Committee is looking for individuals interested in running for election at the January 30, 2024 AGM.

To stand for election, a person must be a current CCA member. To be eligible for CCA membership, you must reside, work, or own a property or a business in Centretown. Current Board Members are also eligible to run for the Board.  The CCA is interested in hearing from those candidates that have communication skills to assist with our Social Media, eMail and Newsletters.

Candidates interested in running for the Board of Directors or President positions should email us at ccca@centretowncitizens.ca by 10 PM (EST) on Monday, January 22, 2024. Please specify your motivation to serve on the Board, what skills and initiatives you intend to contribute, and include your resume.

An Update from SEPAW: Safety, Emergency Preparedness & Awareness Working Group

The CCA's Safety, Emergency Preparedness & Awareness Working Group recently held its monthly meeting.

Safety in Centretown is the focus of this working group.  A collaborative approach among the Councillor, BIAs, OPS, community associations and groups and the residents of Centretown is needed to improve neighbourhood safety.

What can we do?

• Develop Neighbourhood Watches, Neighbourhood Watch

• Get a CPTED (Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design) audit done Crime Free Multi-Housing

• Visit the OPS Community Safety Data Portal, Community Safety Data Portal - OPS

CCA members are welcome to join and share their experiences. Please contact Brenda at anti-racism@centretowncitizens.ca for details.

Please note that the Anti-Racism Working Group will be operating under a new name: the Inclusion and Diversity Working Group. The CCA remains ardently committed to inclusivity and anti-racism.

Outdoor skating rinks in Centretown

As many of you will know, the City of Ottawa sets up two outdoor skating rinks in Centretown every winter - one in Jack Purcell Park (Elgin and Waverley) and one in McNabb Park (Gladstone and Bronson). The city counts on community volunteers to help maintain the rinks during the skating season. Skating is a great outdoor activity that everyone in the community can enjoy, particularly young people. If you'd like to help out at either of these rinks please send an email to seasonalrecreation@ottawa.ca with your contact details. See you at the rink!

Housing Affordability Working Group and Diversity & Inclusion Working Group

The HAWG (Housing Affordability Working Group) and the Diversity and Inclusion Working Group will be holding our first joint meeting for 2024 on Thursday, January 25th, 6:30-8pm. 

The speaker will be Cheryl Case from CP Planning and they were one of the projects chosen for CMHC Housing Supply Challenge Round 2 for Roadmap for Redevelopment Plans to Confront Systemic Racism.   

Save the date and plan to join us for the webinar - https://cpplanning.ca/roadmap.

Centretown Buzz

The BUZZ is Centretown's community newspaper. Sign up to the BUZZ notification list, and receive an email reminder of each issue – plus exclusive subscriber info! Your info will not be shared with anyone else or used for anything but BUZZ notifications.

Get on the list by emailing subscribe@centretownbuzz.com.

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We always welcome new members and volunteers to contribute to CCA's many initiatives. To help us continue hosting virtual workshops and in-person events, maintaining community gardens, and so much more, please consider supporting the CCA with a donation.

Kind regards,

Mary Huang

CCA President

September 2023

Hello Centretowners,

As September draws to a close, the CCA would like to take time to reflect on our part in the process of Truth and Reconciliation. As we reside and gather on un-ceded Anishinaabe Algonquin territory, we appreciate that the land is home to generations of Indigenous Peoples. Our community honours the memory of those who perished in systems of Colonization, including the Residential School system, the Sixties Scoop, and the difficult legacy of thereof. 

For information on the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and resources, we invite you to visit The National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation.

Temperatures continue to drop, sweaters are coming out of storage, and the CCA is proud to offer a variety of seasonal events: CCA's Trees and Greenspace Committee headed by Brian Beaven is hosting the annual Fall Festival at Dundonald Park on Saturday, September 23rd, from 10 AM - 2 PM. 
 
The Elgin St Market is open Sundays until October 29 with your favourite vendors, artists, and neighbors. Join the final free Yoga class of the season offered by Cattleya Yoga at Jack Purcell Park this Sunday at 10 AM. 

On Monday September 25th, 6:30 PM, at the Jack Purcell Community Centre, Emily Essex will present her Carleton masters thesis in which she proposes a community meeting place at the former Ottawa Public School Board building, a heritage property located at 330 Gilmour St.

The CCA's Safety and Emergency Preparedness Working Group recently held its second meeting. CCA members are welcome to join and bring your experience to the table. Please contact Brenda at anti-racism@centretowcitizens.ca for details. Please note that the Anti-Racism Working Group will be operating under a new name: Diversity and Inclusion Working Group. The CCA remains ardently committed to inclusivity and anti-racism.

Fall Festival at Dundonald Park on Saturday, September 23, 10 AM - 2 PM

The annual Fall Festival returns to Dundonald Park, at Somerset and Lyon, Saturday, September 23, from 10 AM - 2 PM.

Activities for kids include a variety of crafts and hands-on art tables, courtesy of the CCA and the Ottawa Art Gallery. The ever-popular read-aloud at 10:45 AM will bring you the book Jamilah at the End of the World. Magician Mark Montreuil is on at 11:30 AM. As always at CCA festivals, there’s free popcorn.
    
For adults, there is live music, live theatre, and information booths on everything from pollinators to bike maintenance to early childhood. The Ottawa Outdoor Gear Library will be there, along with the Ottawa Wildflower Seeds Library.

Curious about your community association? There will be a slew of CCA groups, from the guerrilla gardeners to the heritage group working to create new heritage districts.

The rain day is Sunday, September 24.
The festival is sponsored by the CCA and the Centretown Community Health Centre.

Centretown Community Association at Capital Pride 2023

Thank you to everyone who stopped to chat by CCA's booth at the Capital Pride Street Festival in August! The CCA thanks Board Member Stuart MacKay for organizing, as well as our Committee Chairs who came out to support. It was a great chance to meet Centretowners and share about the ongoing work at our Planning Committee, Heritage, Housing Affordability, Anti-Racism, Safety, Climate Change groups, and more.

The Elgin Street Market is at Boushey Square every Sunday until October 29

The Elgin Street Market - Centretown's only farmers' market - operates every Sunday until October 29 from 9am to 1pm in Boushey Square at the corner of Waverly and Elgin. Many of your favourite vendors continue to offer fresh produce, bread, baked goods, prepared foods, and arts and crafts.

With the arrival of autumn, the tables are stacked with hearty root vegetables such as potatoes, carrots and beets. Lettuce, kale and onions still are available. Treat yourself to a big cookie from Je Suis Sweets. Torshi offers picante pickled vegetables. And there is the art of Victoria Dark Illustrations, featuring warm, engaging prints of local architecture.

Last Chance to Catch a Free Yoga at Jack Purcell Park on September 24

Attention all yoga enthusiasts! Come and join us for free, one hour Yoga in the Park class this Sunday, September 24th in Jack Purcell Park. Classes are led by instructors from Cattleya Yoga Studio on Bank Street. The class starts at 10am. Make sure to bring your mat or a towel. This free summer yoga program is brought to you by the CCA in partnership with the Elgin Area Business Association. Stop by the Elgin Street Farmers Market before your class to say hello!

Heritage Committee Walking Tours Explore New Heritage Conservation Districts

The CCA is working with city officials to define a new Heritage Conservation District (HCD) in the area between Kent and Bronson in Centretown West. The big challenge for the CCA is to recommend where exactly the boundary of the new HCD should be drawn.

To do so, the CCA is conducting a series of leisurely Saturday afternoon walking tours to experience the streets of this area and discuss whether particular city blocks should be included in the HCD or not. The remaining walk will take place on Saturday, September 30th, starting at 2 PM from Dundonald Park (Somerset and Lyon).

Later this Fall, the CCA will propose a new Heritage Conservation District (HCD) for The Golden Triangle. A series of Saturday afternoon walks to set a proposed boundary for the proposed Golden Triangle HCD will take place in October.

For more information please reach out to jack.2014@icloud.com and visit Engage Ottawa.

Image Credit: Centretown Buzz

Seeking Donations for John Howard Society Welcome Wagon

The CCA, along with Councillor Ariel Troster and the John Howard Society (JHS), is collecting donations to create welcome baskets for residents moving into the soon-to-open supportive residence on Lisgar near Bay.

Donations will be accepted at the CCA table at the Elgin Street Market on the Sundays of September 24 and October 8, from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM. They are looking for donations of socks, undies, pyjamas, house coats and slippers (sized M, L and XL); and hygiene items such as shampoo, conditioner, body wash, loofah, bars of soap, and bubble bath. They also need bath towels, coffee mugs, travel mugs, reusable water bottles, laundry baskets and cleaning supplies. Gift cards to Dollarama or Tim Hortons would be terrific.

The residence will provide supportive housing for women experiencing homelessness, with a focus on Indigenous women. For more information: edavis@jhsottawa.ca

Ottawa Architecture Week: September 25 - 29

Presented by ORSA, Ottawa's Regional Society of Architects, Ottawa Architecture Week invites you to immerse yourself in a captivating exploration of the transformative power of play within the realm of architecture. Beyond mere entertainment or recreation, the concept of play in architecture embodies a dynamic and multifaceted approach that emphasizes the inherent potential of built environments. It embraces curiosity, imagination, and risk-taking, fostering creativity and innovation throughout the design process and resulting spaces. By prioritizing the human experience, playful architecture creates environments that inspire joy, promote social interaction, and enhance well-being. This year's theme, "City of Play: Fun in the Capital?" celebrates the integration of play within Ottawa's urban fabric, showcasing how the interaction between people and spaces can create lasting connections and enrich the quality of life for individuals and communities alike.

The BUZZ is Centretown's community newspaper. Sign up to the BUZZ notification list, and receive an email reminder of each issue – plus exclusive subscriber info! Your info will not be shared with anyone else or used for anything but BUZZ notifications.

Get on the list by emailing subscribe@centretownbuzz.com.

Help Us Address Community Safety and Well-being Concerns

The CCA is currently looking for volunteers to work with us and neighboring Community Associations within the Safety and Emergency Preparedness Working Group to address community safety among other issues. If interested, please reach out to ccca@centretowncitizens.ca.

We always welcome new members and volunteers to contribute to CCA's many initiatives. To help us continue hosting virtual workshops and in-person events, maintaining community gardens, and so much more, please consider supporting the CCA with a donation.

Kind regards,

Mary Huang

CCA President

August 2023

Hello Centretowners,

After a brief hiatus in July the Centretown Community Association is back in full swing of neighborhood matters. We hope you got the chance to walk, cycle, or even run to the Elgin Farmers' Market on a lovely summer Sunday. The Market is operating every Sunday until October 29 and is full with vendors, artists, and neighbors. There's a Yoga class at 10 AM offered by Cattleya Yoga, followed by a guided tour of the area at 11 AM with CCA's Jack Hanna.

Perhaps you took the time to enjoy the Queen Elizabeth Driveway in new ways: walking, rollerblading, or relaxing along the canal, while the QED is closed to vehicular traffic. Whether you support or oppose a continued dedication of the QED to active and alternative modes of transportation, we would love to hear from you at transportation@centretowncitizens.ca.

Read on for more exciting news from your local Community Association:

Capital Pride Events Across Centretown this Weekend

Capital Pride Street Festival is happening this Saturday, August 26 and Sunday, August 27! The Capital Pride Street Festival runs from 12:00 pm to 8:00 pm on both days.

Come say HELLO at our booth located on Bank Street between Nepean and Lisgar! CCA Board Members and Committee Chairs representing the Planning Committee, Heritage, Housing Affordability, Anti-Racism, Safety, Climate change, Transportation, and more will be there and ready to chat!

Capital Pride Street Festival is happening this Saturday, August 26 and Sunday, August 27! The Capital Pride Street Festival runs from 12:00 pm to 8:00 pm on both days.

Come say HELLO at our booth located on Bank Street between Nepean and Lisgar! CCA Board Members and Committee Chairs representing the Planning Committee, Heritage, Housing Affordability, Anti-Racism, Safety, Climate change, Transportation, and more will be there and ready to chat!

The Elgin Street Market is on at Boushey Square every Sunday until October 29

The Elgin Street Market - Centretown's only farmers' market - operates every Sunday until October 29 from 9am to 1pm in Boushey Square at the corner of Waverly and Elgin. Many of your favourite vendors continue to offer fresh produce, bread, baked goods, prepared foods, and arts and crafts. New vendors are selling mushrooms, microgreens, and craft beer, among other local finds.

Join Us for Free Yoga at Jack Purcell Park on August 27 and September 3

Attention all yoga enthusiasts! Come and join us for free, one hour Yoga in the Park classes every Sunday in Jack Purcell Park. Classes are led by instructors from Cattleya Yoga Studio on Bank Street. The class starts at 10am. Make sure to bring your mat or a towel. This free summer yoga program is brought to you by the CCA in partnership with the Elgin Area Business Association. Stop by the Elgin Street Farmers Market before your class to say hello!

Jack Hanna is guiding History Walking Tours on Sundays at 11 AM

Jack Hanna, CCA's Planning and Heritage Committees' Chair, is offering a complimentary history walking tour titled "Blunders and Beauties"! Jack's tour will discuss historical mistakes made by those who govern, and marvel at the architectural beauties of Centretown's Golden Triangle.

This Sunday, August 27, 11 AM, starting at the entrance to the Elgin Street Market.

Seeking Donations for John Howard Society Welcome Wagon

On Sunday September 24th, and Sundary October 8th, Eva Davis, Residence Coordinator for the John Howard Society and our Councillor Ariel Truster will be joining members
from our community association at our CCA table at the Elgin Street Farmers Market
from 9am-1pm.

As discussed at a community meeting held earlier this year,  the attendees agreed to initiate a Welcome Wagon. We are reaching out to members in the community to donate a gift from our list below for our new neighbours who will be moving into the Supportive Housing Project for women at 494 Lisgar Street:

House coats sized M, L and XL
Slippers M,L, XL
Pyjama’s M, L, XL
Hygiene supplies – shampoo, conditioner, body wash, loofah, bars of soap, bubble bath
Bath towels
Laundry baskets
Gift cards for Dollarama, Tim Hortons, etc.
Travel mugs, reusable water bottles, coffee mugs
Socks
Undies, M, L, XL
Cleaning Supplies

Thanking you in advance for your support,
Eva and Brenda

The BUZZ is Centretown's community newspaper. Sign up to the BUZZ notification list, and receive an email reminder of each issue – plus exclusive subscriber info! Your info will not be shared with anyone else or used for anything but BUZZ notifications.

Get on the list by emailing subscribe@centretownbuzz.com.

Affordable Housing Acquisition Fund Needs Your Support

CCA's Housing Affordability Working Group hosted an introduction to Community Bonds with the Ottawa Community Land Trust. Community Bonds are an innovative tool for investing in social finance to support affordable housing options.

Visit the website www.oclt.ca to learn more.

Help Us Address Community Safety and Well-being Concerns

The CCA is currently looking for volunteers to work with us and neighboring Community Associations within the Safety and Emergency Preparedness Working Group to address community safety among other issues. If interested, please reach out to ccca@centretowncitizens.ca.

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We always welcome new members and volunteers to contribute to CCA's many initiatives. To help us continue hosting events, maintaining community gardens, and so much more, please consider supporting the CCA's with a donation.

Kind regards,

Mary Huang

CCA President

June 2023

Hello Centretowners,

We are now past the Solstice and into the heat of summer. June is notably Indigenous Heritage Month, with Solstice on June 21st marking the National Indigenous Peoples Day. A ceremony was held that day on Parliament Hill honouring survivors of the residential school system, and those who did not return home.

June is also universally known as Pride Month, celebrating the resilience and diversity of 2SLGBTQI+ communities. In the heart of Centretown, Bank Street holds a rich history of Ottawa's LGBT community. Discover it with the help of the village legacy project, and stay tuned for Capital Pride Festival / Fierté dans la Capitale coming up August 19 - 27.

The Ottawa Jazz Festival is currently taking place across venues in Centretown. In July Bluesfest will grace LeBreton Flats for a fortnight of live music performances. And starting Sunday, July 9, until October 29, the Elgin Street Market returns for its third season at Boushey Square, at the corner of Elgin and Waverley. There will be live music, complimentary yoga classes, fresh produce, artisan goods, and more!

Keep reading for the latest updates brought to you by the Centretown Community Association's many groups and committees:

Canada Day Street Closures

Leaders of the Ottawa People's Commission asked the City to make certain the residents in the Red Zone wouldn't face the same restrictions they did during Canada Day in 2022.

The map below received from City staff outlines anticipated street closures on July 1st and 2nd. Please note that the map is subject to change. For more information on city services visit Canada Day Schedule Changes - City of Ottawa.

Between 9:00 am and 10:30 pm on Canada Day, LeBreton Flats Park will host Canada Day Celebrations.
Daytime Ceremony: 11:45 am to 1:30 pm
Evening Show: 7:15 pm to 10:00 pm
Fireworks: 10:00 to 10:12 pm
Road Closures: 6:00 am to 2:00 am (July 2)
For full list of programming and activities, please visit https://www.canada.ca/en/canadian-heritage/campaigns/canada-day/

For more information on road closures, transit service, Para Transpo access, please visit: How to get the most out of your Canada Day in the City of Ottawa | City of Ottawa

Volunteer-Gardeners Beautify Dundonald Park and Frank Street Gardens

Dundonald Gardening Group members have been volunteering at the gardens in Dundonald Park for several years now. CCA formally adopted the park in 2022 with support from the City and former Councillor McKenney. The CCA would like to acknowledge the great group of volunteer gardeners past and present for their fantastic work at the gardens and kids' raised bed gardens that make the park nicer for everyone in the community.
 

The CCA volunteer gardeners meet on Thursdays from 5-7pm and Sundays from 2-4pm. Everyone is welcome to join!

City Holds Consultation Period on New Splash Pad for Dundonald Park

Consultations are underway for a proposed new splash pad to open in Dundonald Park, at the corner of Percy and Somerset St W, in the summer of 2024. At a meeting hosted by Councillor Ariel Troster on June 12, residents expressed the need for a safe, accessible design that welcomes users of all ages. Attendees urged the City to consider the Park's heritage qualities, old growth trees, and ongoing activities such as gardening.

Read the latest coverage by Alayne McGregor for the Centretown Buzz:
https://centretownbuzz.com/2023/06/dundonald-park-splash-pad-raises-wider-concerns/
Or contact the Councillor's office at www.arieltroster.com/contact with any questions.

CCA Offers High School Volunteer Hours

The CCA could use volunteers this summer, so if you are a high school student looking to chalk up volunteer hours, email: membership@centretowncitizens.ca.

Volunteers might help publicize CCA events by stuffing flyers in mailboxes, putting up posters, or chatting with people and handing out materials at the CCA table at the Elgin Street Market.

The Elgin Street Market is Back! Sundays July 9 - October 29

The Elgin Street Market - Centretown's only farmers' market - is returning for its third season on July 9! The market will operate every Sunday until October 29 from 9am to 1pm in Boushey Square at the corner of Waverly and Elgin. Many of your favourite vendors will be returning this year with fresh produce, bread, baked goods, prepared foods, and arts and crafts. We will also be featuring new vendors selling mushrooms, microgreens, and craft beer, among other things. Each week will feature live music and a different community group. We cannot wait to see you there!

If you are interested in volunteering or booking the community table for your organization please contact ccca@centretowncitizens.ca.

Free Yoga Sundays at Jack Purcell Park July 9 - September 3

Attention all yoga enthusiasts! Come and join us for free, one hour Yoga in the Park classes every Sunday in Jack Purcell Park starting July 9th until September 3rd. Classes will be led by instructors from Cattleya Yoga Studio on Bank Street. The class starts at 10am. Make sure to bring your mat or a towel. This free summer yoga program is brought to you by the CCA in partnership with the Elgin Area Business Association. Stop by the Elgin Street Farmers Market after your class to say hello!

Affordable Units at New LeBreton Flats Development

CCA's Housing Affordability and Anti-Racism Working Groups hosted a community workshop with Dream LeBreton Flats, the development team of the Library parcel, on May 11. Guest speakers Suzanne Le, Executive Director Multifaith Housing Initiative, and Justin Robitaille, VP Development Dream Asset Management presented what made affordable units possible in the upcoming residential project.

Multifaith Housing Initiative will operate 133 units at 59% of Median Market Rate, with 30 units designated for Indigenous occupants. The Dream group would offer 117 units at the rental rate of 79% of the Median Market Rate for 55 years. There will be a total of 608 units with amenity space, day care, small retail spaces and a number of interesting features for the community. Dream has also agreed via their foundation to fund $150K a year for 20 years for MHI to run programs for the tenants of the two towers.

Watch the workshop here.

The Centretown Buzz is Looking for Drivers

The BUZZ - Centretown's community newspaper - needs drivers to distribute bundles to volunteer carriers, particularly on Thursday. If you have a driver's license and access to a car (either your own or Communauto), the Buzz team could really use your help, and will pay expenses. Please get in touch at circulation@centretownbuzz.com.

Poverty Reduction Strategy to be Developed for Ottawa

The CCA was invited by the City of Ottawa to the full day Poverty Reduction Roundtable on June 16th. The stated goals of the roundtable were:
• Have the community identify the mandate and scope of Ottawa’s Poverty Reduction Strategy
• Focus on what’s possible and what can be accomplished to address poverty at the local level and build momentum to move forward
• Start building a community of diverse people to move this work forward
• Build consensus on priority areas and focus for collective work that are unique, ambitious and doable
• Produce a map with practical next steps for moving forward the development of the Poverty Reduction Strategy

For more information refer to the Poverty Reduction Report by Rawlson King, Councillor for the Rideau-Rockliffe Ward.

Community Safety and Well-being Concerns from Lowertown to Centretown

Our neighbour to the East, Lowertown Community Association, was featured in an article by The Canadian Press: As residents worry about safety, city moves to revitalize Ottawa's ByWard Market. Sylvie Bigras, president of the LCA, shared that the Association supports revitalizing the ByWard Market in light of continuous safety concerns of residents and businesses in the area. The Lowertown CA advocates for a city-wide, urgent response to mental health, homelessness, and housing affordability crises by offering emergency housing and social supports across all Wards.

The CCA is currently looking for volunteers who will work with us and others to organize a Working Group to address community safety among other issues. If interested, please reach out to ccca@centretowncitizens.ca.

We always welcome new members and volunteers to join CCA's many initiatives.
To help us continue our work, please consider supporting the CCA's with a donation.

Warm regards,

Mary Huang
CCA President

May 2023

Hi Centretowners,

Have you had a chance to catch the tulips in full bloom? If the warmer weather awakened your green thumb, you ought to stop by the upcoming Minto Park Plant Sale on Saturday, June 10, from 9am to 3pm.

On Saturday, May 28, the Multifaith Housing Initiative is holding a Tulipathon walkathon fundraiser at Dow's Lake to support affordable housing units.
Please consider joining CCA's walking team and supporting affordable housing
with a donation.

On Tuesday, June 13, CCA's Climate Change Working Group will offer an in-person Community Dialogue on climate resiliency in collaboration with CAFES and the Dalhousie Community Association.

These are just a few of the events and initiatives happening in the neighbourhood this season. Keep reading for more updates from the Centretown Community Association's many groups and committees:

Annual Minto Park Plant Sale on Saturday, June 10

It’s that time of year! We’re excited to announce that this year’s Minto Park Sale will be held on Saturday, June 10, from 9am to 3pm. The beloved Centretown tradition is generously supported by the CCA and Somerset Ward Councilor's Office. This is a great opportunity to bring out your plants and sods and see if they can find new life with another neighbour, or stock up on new plants for the season.

Spring News from the Trees and Greenspace Committee

The Earth Day Celebration at Dundonald Park at Somerset West and Lyon set a record for attendance, with well over 300 guests. “Folks had a chance to learn about all sorts of community environmental initiatives, engage with community leaders, and reconnect with neighbours after a long winter,’ said Board Member Stuart MacKay. Kids did a variety of arts and crafts, planted flower seeds in the park’s beds, and enjoyed the free popcorn. There was a big sculpture of a ferocious dinosaur, Plastisaurus Rex, made entirely out of empty windshield washer jugs. It was the creation of artist and single-use-plastics activist Stuart Kinmond. Earth Day was sponsored by the CCA and the Centretown Community Health Centre.

CCA volunteers worked for a day clearing big deadfall branches littering Dundonald Park in the wake of the April wind storm, the gale that caused power outages across Ottawa. The clean-up crew included teenagers, who logged community-service credits needed for high school graduation. The volunteers worked most of the day moving windfalls and clearing the park of debris, paper coffee cups, broken glass and cigarette butts in preparation for gardening.

The Dundonald Gardening Group has begun its regular Sunday afternoon sessions this month, and are welcoming volunteers to join. In other parts of Centretown, the Seniors Corner at Elgin and Somerset and the Frank Street Bee and Butterfly Pollinator Garden Group have also opened the gardening season.

Kent Street Skyscraper Consultation on Thursday, May 25

A public meeting on the 30-storey skyscraper proposed for Kent and MacLaren is scheduled for Thursday, May 25, at 6:30pm.
For the Zoom link, please email Jack, CCA's Planning Committee Chair, at: jack.2014@icloud.com

The CCA argues the building is far too high. A skyscraper has no place in a neighbourhood of low- and mid-rise buildings. Developer Taggart would build the 30-storey high-rise under the city’s Landmark Buildings Policy. The CCA says the proposed skyscraper fails to meet the policy. It is not “iconic” architecture, a fundamental requirement of the policy.
The public meeting will include a presentation by the developer’s team, followed by questions and comments.

Image by Taggart Group

Community Dialogue on Climate Resiliency Tuesday, June 13

Are you interested in learning more about how climate change will affect Ottawa, and in discussing community preparedness for these impacts with other residents? Join the dialogue hosted by the Centretown and Dalhousie Community Associations on Tuesday, June 13 at the McNabb Community Centre. The event will run from 6:30 – 8:30 PM.

This dialogue will be an opportunity to learn about climate impacts and risks, and an opportunity to share how you see climate impacts affecting you and your community. It will also be a chance to discuss actions that individuals, communities and the city can take to prepare for climate impacts.

This event is part of a series of community dialogues co-organized by CAFES (cafesottawa.ca) and partner Community Associations across Ottawa. The insights from the dialogues will be sent back to Community Associations, attendees, and to the city's Climate Change and Resiliency Unit to help inform their prospective Climate Resiliency Strategy (engage.ottawa.ca/climate-resiliency).

Volunteer with the Centretown NeighbourWoods Team this Summer

The Team returns for their3 rd season of tree survey work this June. The season will start on Saturday, June 3 with a training session for new and returning volunteers in McNabb Park. Teams will work during the summer and into September to collect data on trees on both public and private land in Centretown. This year we will have an increased focus on encouraging residents to use the City’s Trees in Trust program to have the city plant a free tree on the City right of way on street frontage.

If you are interested in learning more about trees, meeting your neighbours. and taking action to help protect and enhance Centretown’s trees, contact us at neighbourwoods@centretowncitizens.ca.

Housing Affordability at New LeBreton Flats Development

CCA's Housing Affordability and Anti-Racism Working Groups hosted a community workshop with Dream LeBreton Flats, the development team of the Library parcel, on May 11. Guest speakers Suzanne Le, Executive Director Multifaith Housing Initiative, and Justin Robitaille, VP Development Dream Asset Management presented what made affordable units possible in the upcoming residential project.

Multifaith Housing Initiative will operate 133 units at 59% of Median Market Rate, with 30 units designated for Indigenous occupants. The Dream group would offer 117 units at the rental rate of 79% of the Median Market Rate for 55 years. There will be a total of 608 units with amenity space, day care, small retail spaces and a number of interesting features for the community. Dream has also agreed via their foundation to fund $150K a year for 20 years for MHI to run programs for the tenants of the two towers.

The Centretown Buzz is Looking for Drivers

The Centretown Buzz needs drivers to distribute bundles to volunteer carriers, particularly on Thursday. If you have a driver's license and access to a car (either your own or Communauto), the Buzz team could really use your help, and will pay expenses. Please get in touch at circulation@centretownbuzz.com.

Elgin Street Farmers Market Preparations Are Underway, and We Want Your Help!

The Farmers Market Working Group is hard at work planning for this year's Elgin Street Market, which will operate every Sunday from July 9 to October 29 from 9am to 1pm in Boushey Square (corner of Waverly and Elgin). 

This year's market will feature many recognizable vendors from previous years, along with new and rotating vendors each week. The Working Group is looking for volunteers who are interested in helping to organize the market and/or helping out on-site on market day with set-up, take-down, and the CCA table. 

We are also actively seeking community groups who are interested in promoting their group at the market. We feature a different community group table each week, and it is a great opportunity for groups to showcase their contributions to the community. If you are interested in volunteering or in booking a community group table, please contact ccca@centretowncitizens.ca with the subject line "Farmers Market".

Updates from the Transportation Committee

Consultation on Wellington Street:
The CCA Transportation Committee will be meeting on June 28 to discuss the future of Wellington Street and to formulate a position on the possible transfer of Wellington Street to the Federal Government. For more details and to RSVP please email: transportation@centretowncitizens.ca

OC Transpo Survey:
OC Transpo is reviewing the bus routes, as part of this process they are conducting a survey and a series of public consultations. Please find a link to the survey and a schedule of the public consultations here: https://www.octranspo.com/en/news/article/bus-route-review/

Queen Elizabeth Driveway closures:
Due to a highway bridge replacement, both the Queen Elizabeth Driveway and the Colonel By Driveway will be closed near the Pretoria Bridge to pedestrians, cyclists, and drivers for up to 90 weeks tentatively scheduled to start in 2028. For more information please visit: queenswaydowntownbridges.com

Join the Tulipathon Walkathon to Support Affordable Housing

CCA would like to support Multifaith Housing Initiative's affordable housing mission and their need to raise capital for their portion of Dream LeBreton Flats as well as for subsidies they provide to some tenants. CCA's Housing Affordability Working Group has registered as a fundraising team for the Multifaith Housing Initiative Tulipathon with event details here:

https://www.multifaithhousing.ca/tulipathon.html

What: Tulipathon 2023 Walkathon
When: Sunday May 28, 2pm registration for 3pm walk
Where: Commissioners Park, Dow's Lake

Join the CCA Tulipathon team at www.classy.org/team/503675 by clicking "Join Team" and creating a profile.

Ottawa People's Commission Calls for Continued Collaborative Action

Part II of the OPC Report has been tabled at Ottawa City Hall and with the Parliamentary Committee on Public Safety and National Security. Response to OPC’s recommendations has been very encouraging. The group continues reaching out to City Hall, Ottawa Police Services and their board, as well as other elected officials to ensure the community’s perspective is taken into account.

One of OPC's recommendations is the establishment of an Inner-City Stakeholders Group, made up of folk from community associations and agencies directly affected by the convoy occupation. The group has met to discuss the Part II report and confirm next steps. Their focus includes issues related to community safety, emergency preparedness and action against hate, going back to their own communities and following up with their Councillors.

These coming months are crucial for accountability. City Hall must earn the trust of residents by acknowledging their failure, making a meaningful apology, offering redress and compensation, and taking corrective action.

Help the OPC press for action by:
    - Mobilizing within your networks
    - Getting active in your community association
    - Contacting your elected representatives
    - Writing a letter to the editor or getting the word out through social media

Together we can make a difference, ensuring we learn the lessons from the convoy occupation and never again suffer a similar crisis.

Get all the latest OPC news at opc-cpo.ca or by following the OPC on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.

Who to Call for Safety Concerns in Centretown

As a follow up to the questions raised at our AGM, recent emails and calls concerning safety issues for Centretown, please take note of the attached document that was given to us by our Neighbourhood Police Constable.

As always, hoping to see you at CCA's events and festivities this Spring. We always welcome volunteers to join CCA's many initiatives. To help us continue our work, please consider supporting the CCA's with a donation.

Warm regards,

Mary Huang
CCA President