Ottawa looks to improve lighting, pedestrian infrastructure at access points to ByWard Market, downtown area

The underpass near Colonel By Drive and Rideau Street. April 2, 2026. (Natalie van Rooy/CTV News Ottawa)

The City of Ottawa is looking to improve lighting, public safety and pedestrian movement in two main access points to the ByWard Market and the downtown area.

A report for Wednesday’s council meeting outlines 12 possible projects using $10 million initially allocated to turn William Street into a pedestrian plaza, including improvements to the Rideau Station and Rideau Street corridor and the Rideau-Sussex underpass, and transforming underutilized plazas into flexible public gathering spaces.

In January 2025, the city entered into an agreement with the Ontario government to support economic revitalization in the ByWard Market and downtown areas, with $10 million allocated to a streetscaping project for William Street and ByWard Market Square.

After council voted in March to defer the William Street construction project, staff worked with the province to reallocate the funding to support other city priorities in the ByWard Market and broader down.

• Amended ByWard Market revitalization plan would add daycares and 24/7 washrooms

Staff are proposing the funding be allocated towards two priority areas - safety and security and “vibrancy to attract residents and visitors.” The report says the proposed projects will improve public safety, accessibility, and the “overall visitor experience.”

“Proposed projects include gateway improvements, community safety and outreach initiatives, seasonal placemaking and programming, accessibility upgrades, district branding, branding, navigation and wayfinding improvements, and activations associated with the ByWard Market’s 200th anniversary in 2027,” staff said.

The report notes the proposed project list exceeds the $10 million funding envelope in order to “provide flexibility for provincial review and approval.” The funding must be spent by the end of March 2027.

The proposals include $920,000 for improvements to the Rideau Station and Rideau Street corridor, which is the primary access point to the ByWard Market from the O-Train and the Rideau Centre.

“Improvements will focus on pedestrian movement, safety and accessibility through streetscape, lighting and pedestrian infrastructure enhancements within and around Rideau Station and along Rideau Street,” staff said.

“The initiative will also introduce coordinated arrival experience features and destination-branding elements designed to create a more vibrant, memorable and welcoming gateway into the district.”

The report said ideas include gateway signage, animated lighting, banners, street furniture and branded wayfinding.

Staff are also recommending $300,000 for improvements to the Rideau-Sussex underpass.

“This initiative focuses on improving the Rideau–Sussex underpass as a critical gateway into the ByWard Market through targeted lighting, maintenance and placemaking improvements intended to improve safety, accessibility and the resident and visitor experience,” staff said.

“The project responds to longstanding concerns regarding the condition and perception of the underpass and is intended to create a safer and more welcoming entry point into the ByWard Market and surrounding area.”

Other proposals

Safety and security

• $2.5 million for security staffing support for organizations serving complex clients. Staff say it will maintain security support for organizations serving clients with “complex needs” in the ByWard Market and downtown area.
• $200,000 for Shepherds of Good Hope/Canadian Mental Health Association – Dual Client Support Model
• $200,000 for the Ottawa Public Health needle and drug equipment collection program.
• $500,000 for unsheltered homelessness outreach and connections to safe spaces

Vibrancy to attract residents and visitors

• $4.230 million for “Best of ByWard” Four-Season Placemaking Initiative.  Staff say it would “transform underutilized plazas and portions of ByWard Market Square into flexible public gathering spaces.”
• $850,000 for district-wide navigation, access and parking strategy.
• $500,000 for a Brand and Place Identity Plan
• $700,000 for Historic Market Building Illumination Exhibition
• $500,000 for the Metcalfe Plaza Project
• $500,000 for the Savour ByWard Market – Farm to Table Experience. Staff say this is a “signature culinary experience showcasing local farmers, artisan producers and regional food and beverage offerings” as art of the ByWard Market‘s 200^th anniversary
• $500,000 for “ByWard Under the Lights: Celebrating 200 years

Staff said that, since the $12.4 million in proposals exceeds the $10 million provincial funding envelope, the final decisions on whether the projects proceed will be made by the Ontario government.

“The Ontario–Ottawa Agreement also identifies specific expenditure categories that are not eligible for provincial funding, including bicycle infrastructure, tree planting and planters, public art installations, public washrooms, vehicles and certain hospitality-related expenses,” staff said.

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