Ottawa’s By Ward Market: Will 200 years of Heritage (1827-2027) Have a Future?
The William St. Plaza in the By Ward Market, where the walk will take place.
Join Barry Padolsky for a “Hyde Park Corner Urban Forum” on the challenges and future of the Ottawa’s historic Market founded in 1827. Barry has invited the following special guests to take a turn on the "soapbox":
- Stéphanie Plante, City Councilor, Rideau-Vanier Ward
- Zach Dayler, Manager, By Ward Market Authority
- Peter Tilley, CEO Ottawa Mission
- Alain Miguelez, Vice-President, Capital Planning, National Capital Commission
- Dick Brown, Former President, Ottawa Tourism.
This special Jane’s Walk Forum will explore the history, delights, and current challenges to Ottawa’s
beloved By Ward Market. It will pose questions about the decline and de facto extinction of the
outdoor Farmer’s Market and the precinct’s twin crises of homelessness and public safety. Will the
proposed exemption of outdoor market stall fees bring back the farmers? Will the City’s Public
Realm Plan approved in 2021 and the proposed replacement of the City’s parking garage building
with a “Destination Building” be realized or just join the library of unfulfilled City plans in the City’s
Archives? And what about the City’s new By Ward Market District Authority (BMDA)? Will this latest
version of administering the By Ward Market make a difference? Is the By Ward market over-
governed or just poorly governed? And what are the prospects for By Ward’s economic recovery by
2027, the 200th anniversary of the founding of Colonel By’s Market?
I think you will find this discussion very timely. Be prepared to join the conversation about the
past and future of Ottawa’s most colourful precinct! Share your ideas!
