Peace and Environment News* June 1995
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Peace and Environment News * June 1995 |
by Carolyn Luce
 Delivery trike for summer pilot project in By Ward Market. Photo: Jane Stratton-Zimmer. |
Have you ever wished there were fewer cars in the By Ward Market, so you wouldn't have to deal with the congestion, noise and traffic fumes? There would be more room to shop, stroll and relax. The air would smell cleaner. Fresh produce wouldn't be contaminated with emissions from automobiles. It would be safer for children and adults alike without the hazardous start-and-stop auto traffic. Open-air patios could spill out onto William Street, where patrons could enjoy a drink or a meal in a pleasant, non-polluted environment. Trees and flowers would benefit from the cleaner air.
Members of Auto-Free Ottawa have had precisely that vision for several years now. They have been sketching out a proposal for removing cars from the By Ward over a period of years. In many ways, the Market is the easiest place to start the move to a car-free city, since much of the time the market is so congested with cars looking for free parking spots that pedestrians are essentially in charge. Pedestrians not only cross the street at almost any time, but often walk along the street to avoid the crowded sidewalks.
During the last few summers, members of Auto-Free Ottawa have canvassed support in the Market for the idea of closing By Ward and William Streets on a trial basis during summer weekends. They have gathered nearly 1,000 signatures on a petition to City Hall in support of a trial closure. The response from shoppers has been overwhelmingly supportive. Many of them wonder why this wasn't done long ago.
Business people in the area have been less enthusiastic, since they equate car traffic with business. Proving to them that a car-free Market will be economically viable and will enhance and not hamper business in the area will be a big challenge. Working with the merchants to develop a plan and achieve consensus will be a long process.
A coalition of community groups has been formed to continue this work. So far, Citizens for Safe Cycling and OttaWalk, as well as Auto-Free Ottawa, have endorsed the coalition, named Friends of the Market. Stéphane Émard-Chabot, City Councillor for the ward, has expressed interest in our cause, and has agreed to assist us in working with the merchants. It appears the City is also considering the creation of pedestrian corridors in the Market Area, William Street being a prime candidate.
Friends of the Market will hold a public forum on traffic issues in the Market on Saturday, June 17. The idea of the forum is to promote open discussion on alternatives for the Market. We are inviting the public, as well as all stakeholders, to participate in the discussion. If you'd like to express your ideas or concerns on this issue and learn about ways of making the Market a more people-friendly place, here's your chance.
The Forum will take place in the second floor of the Market building (York Street end in the Art Gallery) from 1 to 5 P.M. Frank de Jong will present the Auto-Free Ottawa proposal for the market, and Ann Coffey will discuss traffic-calming options and examples of pedestrian zones in other cities.
We are also trying to start a bicycle delivery system for transporting purchases to shoppers' parked cars or their homes. The plan is to have several pedal-powered vehicles in operation during summer weekends. We are currently pursuing funding options for this project. We need volunteers to help with trial delivery runs, especially the weekend of June 17-18. Call 723-2325 to volunteer.
To register for the Public Forum or to get more information on Friends of the Market, please contact Carolyn Luce at 241-8176 or Jane Stratton-Zimmer at 723-2325. We are always looking for new members if you or your group would like to get involved.
Converted July 7, 2000 - Lg
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