The NCC just issued an RFP to hire consultants to prepare a “Capital Illumination Plan”. This will provide a strategy to illuminate the unique buildings, monuments, districts and streetscapes of the national capital. The intent is to create a cohesive nightscape and reduce energy. The NCC organized a workshop on 31 March to seek suggestions from the public on what should be illuminated. Most of the work teams identified the ByWard Market as an area that should be illuminated.
The NCC will select a few special pilot projects to complete before the 2017 celebrations. The money for the plan and the special projects will be paid for out of the NCC’s regular capital projects fund. The NCC has indicated that they are interested in working with partners to do pilot projects. There is here an opportunity to work with the NCC to select the Market for a pilot project.
The NCC will select a few special pilot projects to complete before the 2017 celebrations. The money for the plan and the special projects will be paid for out of the NCC’s regular capital projects fund. The NCC has indicated that they are interested in working with partners to do pilot projects. There is here an opportunity to work with the NCC to select the Market for a pilot project.
The Market is a good choice for a demonstration project. It is located steps away from Parliament Hill. It is a major destination for Ottawa residents and visitors to the Capital. Located in a Heritage Conservation District, it has the largest concentration of heritage buildings in the City. This grouping of buildings reflects the early development of Ottawa, including the Mile of History along Sussex Drive that features significant heritage buildings owned by the NCC. It contains three historic public courtyards parallel to Sussex that delight residents and visitors alike.
The implementation of an illumination plan would help confirm the Market’s distinct identity, make the area more attractive, safer and enhance its unique heritage character. Looking at an illumination plan for the whole Market area would ensure the appropriate lighting for not just for one building but for the whole area thereby creating a coherent urban nightscape. It would provide a framework to implement measures on city owned property as well as on private property over time at a minimal cost.
Selecting the Market for a demonstration project also fits well with the current initiative to revitalize the Market. It would be a great legacy to the downtown of Ottawa in the context of the 150th celebrations.
Written by Sylvie Grenier, LCA Director, Co-chair, LCA Planning Committee
The implementation of an illumination plan would help confirm the Market’s distinct identity, make the area more attractive, safer and enhance its unique heritage character. Looking at an illumination plan for the whole Market area would ensure the appropriate lighting for not just for one building but for the whole area thereby creating a coherent urban nightscape. It would provide a framework to implement measures on city owned property as well as on private property over time at a minimal cost.
Selecting the Market for a demonstration project also fits well with the current initiative to revitalize the Market. It would be a great legacy to the downtown of Ottawa in the context of the 150th celebrations.
Written by Sylvie Grenier, LCA Director, Co-chair, LCA Planning Committee
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