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Report to Rapport au:

Planning Committee / Comité de l'urbanisme February 10, 2015 / 10 février 2015

and Council / et au Conseil February 25, 2015 / 25 février 2015

Submitted by Soumis par: Nancy Schepers, Deputy City Manager / Directrice municipale adjointe, Planning and Infrastructure / Urbanisme et Infrastructure

Contact Person Personne ressource: Michael Mizzi, Chief / Chef, Development Review Services / Services d’Examen des projets d'aménagement, Planning and Growth Management / Urbanisme et Gestion de la croissance (613) 580-2424, 15788, Michael.Mizzi@ottawa.ca

Ward: RIDEAU-VANIER (12) File Number: ACS2015-PAI-PGM-0014

SUBJECT: Rideau/Arts Precinct Public Realm Plan

OBJET: Plan du domaine public de la rue Rideau et du secteur de la Cour des arts

REPORT RECOMMENDATIONS

That Planning Committee recommend Council:

1. Receive the Rideau/Arts Precinct Public Realm Plan (see Document 1) as a guide for implementing public realm improvements in conjunction with development initiatives and/or capital projects in the area, subject to funding being secured through yearly capital budget cycles or from other sources or through the development review and approval process, as outlined in this report; and 2

2. Delegate authority to the Deputy City Manager, Planning and Infrastructure with the consent of the Mayor and Ward Councillor, to approve the functional design being prepared using existing resources for the Rideau Street realignment and improvements and for the conversion of Nicholas Street between Rideau and Besserer Streets to an open air pedestrian mall consistent with the concept shown in Document 1.

RECOMMANDATIONS DU RAPPORT

Que le Comité de l’urbanisme recommande au Conseil :

1. De prendre connaissance du Plan du domaine public de la rue Rideau et du secteur de la Cour des arts (se reporter au document 1) à titre d’orientation en vue d’apporter des améliorations conjointement avec des projets d’aménagement et/ou d’investissement menés dans le secteur, sous réserve d’un financement obtenu dans le cadre des cycles annuels du budget d’investissement ou provenant d’autres sources obtenues lors du processus d’examen et d’approbation des projets, tel que décrit dans le présent rapport;

2. De déléguer à la directrice municipale adjointe, Urbanisme et Infrastructure, après autorisation du maire et du conseiller municipal, le pouvoir d’approuver la conception fonctionnelle, préparée avec les ressources existantes, de la mise en valeur de la rue Rideau et de la modification de son tracé, et de la transformation en mail piétonnier de la rue Nicholas entre Rideau et Besserer, conformément au concept illustré dans le document 1.

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

The Rideau/Arts Precinct Public Realm Plan provides a vision for a unified public realm environment for the Rideau/Arts Precinct that creates an enhanced pedestrian experience for this important downtown entertainment, shopping and arts district. The aim of the plan is to create a vibrant precinct for residents, workers and visitors that rebalances the spatial needs of walking, cycling, transit and automobile use in favour of pedestrians and cycling (for those streets that are part of the cycling network shown in the 2013 Ottawa Cycling Plan). The plan builds on the Council approved ‘Downtown Moves’ which is the plan for how people will move around Ottawa’s downtown core in the future following completion of the Confederation Line project. Downtown Moves has won four awards from national, international and regional planning associations, and will advance longstanding Council directions for significant public realm improvements for the downtown area as set out in 3 the Official Plan and the Downtown Ottawa Urban Design Strategy. The public realm plan, which sets out three possible options for the area referred to as South Waller also responds to a specific Council direction to explore options to improve cycling and pedestrian connectivity in the current Laurier Avenue bus rapid transit station area, which is scheduled to be reconfigured once the Confederation Line opens. Council’s receipt of the Rideau/Arts Precinct Public Realm Plan will provide a frame of reference for implementing public realm improvements in association with development which can comprise private sector development, strategic City initiatives and City initiated capital works. For City projects, the plan provides a basis for determining capital funds to be included in project budgets to ensure realization of the public realm improvements as part of the project. As provided for in the public realm plan, staff will initiate functional design work for streets in the precinct subject to funding being secured that would allow for the timely implementation of public realm improvements for the entire precinct allowing it to emerge as a dynamic pedestrian focused precinct. With the construction of the Confederation Line and the Rideau Centre expansion, there is an opportunity to move forward on a priority basis with the implementation of the improvements set out in the public realm plan for Rideau Street and for Nicholas Street between Rideau Street and Besserer Street. This report provides for Council to endorse the work that staff is undertaking to develop a functional design for the Rideau Street improvements and for the conversion of Nicholas Street between Rideau Street and Besserer Street into an open air pedestrian mall and to support staff moving forward on these two improvement initiatives through direction to delegate authority to the Deputy City Manager, Planning and Infrastructure to approve the functional design. This will allow for the implementation to be coordinated with public realm improvements associated with the completion of the Rideau Centre Expansion and Confederation Line and subject to funding being secured, to potentially also have some of these improvements where they do not interfere with Confederation Line construction activities completed before the 2017 sesquicentennial festivities. Receipt of the public realm plan also provides for endorsing that Rideau Street function and be seen as a pedestrian focused downtown retail street where there is an appropriate balancing amongst vehicular users of the street that is consistent with a pedestrian focused retail street including the use of the street for surface transit service. Staff will examine opportunities to ensure this balance will be achieved and develop and bring forward necessary recommendations to appropriate standing committees where modifications may be required such as but not necessarily limited to changes in bus routes, bus stops, and road reconfiguration. 4

RÉSUMÉ

Le Plan du domaine public de la rue Rideau et du secteur de la Cour des arts propose la vision d’un domaine public unifié dans le secteur Rideau/Cour des arts, qui rend plus agréable pour les piétons cet important secteur commercial, artistique et de divertissement du centre-ville. Ce plan a pour objet de créer à l’intention des résidents, des travailleurs et des visiteurs un quartier dynamique qui permette de rééquilibrer les besoins en espace des piétons, des cyclistes, des automobilistes et des usagers du transport en commun, en faveur des piétons et des cyclistes (dans les rues faisant partie du réseau cyclable et illustrées dans le Plan sur le cyclisme d’Ottawa de 2013). Le Plan s’inspire d’un projet approuvé par le Conseil, Le centre-ville en action, qui détermine comment les gens se déplaceront au centre-ville d’Ottawa après l’achèvement de la Ligne de la Confédération. Le centre-ville en action a remporté quatre prix attribués par des associations d’urbanisme nationales, internationales et régionales, et devrait permettre de suivre des directives de longue date du Conseil relatives à la mise en valeur du domaine public au centre-ville, tel qu’énoncé dans le Plan officiel et la Stratégie de conception urbaine du centre-ville d'Ottawa. Le Plan du domaine public, qui propose trois options pour la zone appelée Waller Sud, répond également à une directive particulière du Conseil demandant de rechercher des options en vue d’améliorer les déplacements à vélo et à pied dans le secteur de la station de transport en commun rapide par autobus de l’avenue Laurier, qui devrait être démolie une fois ouverte la Ligne de la Confédération. La présentation au Conseil du Plan du domaine public de la rue Rideau et du secteur de la Cour des arts permettra de créer un cadre de référence pour la mise en œuvre de travaux d’amélioration du domaine public, conjointement avec des projets d’aménagement, notamment du secteur privé et des projets stratégiques ou d’immobilisation municipaux. Dans le cas des projets municipaux, le plan fournit une base permettant de déterminer les fonds d’immobilisation à consacrer aux budgets des projets, afin de garantir la réalisation des améliorations du domaine public en tant que projet municipal. Comme le stipule le plan du domaine public, le personnel va mettre en œuvre des travaux de conception fonctionnelle pour les rues du secteur, sous réserve de l’obtention d’un financement permettant la mise en place en temps opportun d’améliorations du domaine public dans tout le secteur qui pourrait ainsi se transformer en un secteur dynamique axé sur les piétons. La construction de la Ligne de la Confédération et l’agrandissement du Centre Rideau offrent la possibilité de mettre en œuvre, par priorités, les projets d’amélioration décrits 5 dans le plan du domaine public de la rue Rideau et de la rue Nicholas, entre Rideau et Besserer. Le présent rapport prévoit que le Conseil approuve l’élaboration par le personnel de la conception fonctionnelle des améliorations devant être apportées à la rue Rideau et de la transformation de la rue Nicholas, entre Rideau et Besserer, en mail piétonnier à ciel ouvert, et que le Conseil aide le personnel à lancer ces deux projets de mise en valeur, après avoir délégué à la directrice municipale adjointe, Urbanisme et Infrastructure, le pouvoir d’en approuver la conception fonctionnelle. Cette mise en œuvre pourra ainsi être coordonnée avec des projets de mise en valeur du domaine public associés à l’agrandissement du Centre Rideau et à la construction de la Ligne de la Confédération, sous réserve de l’obtention des fonds nécessaires, peut-être permettre l’achèvement de certains travaux de mise en valeur, s’ils ne nuisent pas aux activités de construction de la Ligne de la Confédération, avant les festivités du cent cinquantenaire prévues en 2017. La présentation du plan du domaine public permet également d’approuver la fonction de la rue Rideau et de la considérer comme une voie commerciale du centre-ville axée sur la marche, qui permet entre les utilisateurs de véhicules un équilibre conforme à une rue commerciale axée sur la marche, grâce notamment à la présence d’un service de transport en commun de surface. Le personnel examinera les possibilités afin d’assurer cet équilibre, élaborera et soumettra à l’intention des comités permanents concernés les recommandations nécessaires si des modifications sont requises, notamment mais sans s’y limiter en ce qui concerne les itinéraires et les arrêts d’autobus ainsi que la reconfiguration de la chaussée.

BACKGROUND

Rideau Street between Sussex Drive and Dalhousie Street and the streets/spaces within the broader Rideau/Arts Precinct are being positioned to undergo significant transformation as a result of various initiatives being pursued by the City and the private sector. The various projects underway include:

 The construction of the below grade LRT line along Rideau Street with two station connections from the Rideau Centre and one station connection from the north side of Rideau Street adjacent to the William Street Mall;

 The Rideau Centre Expansion including façade up-grades for the existing façades along Rideau Street, and a proposal to transform Nicholas Street between Rideau Street and Besserer Street into an open air pedestrian mall; 6

 The Ottawa Art Gallery Expansion and Arts Court Redevelopment project being pursued by the City as part of a long-standing vision for a municipal arts centre for the visual, performing, literary and media arts and for the revitalization of Ottawa’s downtown. In addition to an expanded Ottawa Art Gallery, the new development will also include a private sector hotel and condominium development;

 Completion of the streetscape theme for Rideau Street, which was initiated and completed by the City’s Infrastructure Services Department for the sector of Rideau Street between Dalhousie Street and the Cummings Bridge with the sector between Dalhousie Street and Sussex Drive to be completed once the Confederation Line work is substantially completed along Rideau Street;

 Rationalization of bus stop locations/bus stop configurations and size along Rideau Street for both OC Transpo and STO service; and

 Potential façade improvements to the Hudson’s Bay Store and the possible introduction of a new entry to the Hudson’s Bay Store on the north side of Rideau Street adjacent to the Frieman Mall.

Each of the above noted projects have various needs and requirements for use of public realm space to meet their respective aspirations, and there is a need to coordinate these works to reduce conflicts and meet community needs and expectations. This is especially important given the volume of bus, pedestrian and car traffic in the area and the limited right of way (ROW) space available for these flows.

With the various public and private sector initiatives being pursued simultaneously, there exists a tremendous opportunity to capitalize on these improvements to transform the overall public realm and advance key directions expressed in the City’s Official Plan (Central Area Secondary Plan for the Rideau Congress Centre Precinct and for the Rideau Theme [Street]), Downtown Ottawa Urban Design Strategy (approved by Council in 2004), Downtown Moves (approved by Council in 2013), as well as specific directions provided by Council in 2012 through its approval of the Confederation Line project to improve the pedestrian environment and experience within the precinct and along Rideau Street in particular.

The development of a public realm plan was identified as the best way to achieve a coordinated transformation by building on current projects and incorporating key directions for the area. This plan would resolve competing interests for the use of the 7 limited ROW space available and address all the existing/future needs of the various community and property interests in the area.

To undertake this work, the Planning and Growth Management Department retained a consultant team comprised of The Planning Partnership, Parsons (formerly Delcan) and Ken Greenberg Consultants to engage in a consultation process with key stakeholders including City departments, area landowners, the Rideau BIA and the Ward Councillor. This plan, attached as Document 1, provides a framework for achieving overall public realm improvements within the precinct with a particular focus on realigning Rideau Street to provide for a significantly enhanced pedestrian environment and for converting Nicholas Street between Rideau Street and Besserer Street into a pedestrian mall to complement the William Street Mall. The plan also developed several options for the area occupied by the Laurier BRT station in response to the following Council motion approved in December 2012:

“That staff be directed to develop a plan to explore options to re-configure some of the area now occupied by the Laurier Station, including identifying the potential for pedestrian/cycling connectivity from the existing Laurier station to the Confederation Line Rideau and Campus stations and bring that plan to Committee and Council.” Determination of the option to be advanced is being undertaken in consultation with OC Transpo and the University of Ottawa.

In addition to Council receiving the public realm plan, this report has been prepared to request Council’s direction to advance the detailed design and implementation of the public realm improvements for Rideau Street and Nicholas Street as a priority to align with the completion of the Rideau Centre expansion, the Confederation Line and, potentially, to have some improvements (for example, the Nicholas pedestrian mall and works along the south side of Rideau Street adjacent to the Rideau Center expansion and possibly from Nicholas Street to Dalhousie Street ) implemented in 2016, subject to such works not interfering with Confederation Line construction activities.

DISCUSSION

Recommendation 1

The Rideau/Arts Precinct Public Realm Plan attached as Document 1 builds on the award winning ‘Downtown Moves’ initiative (the plan for how people will move around Ottawa’s downtown core in the future which has won four awards from national, international and regional planning associations). Downtown Moves illustrates the 8 enhancement of public spaces, the continuum of strong pedestrian links, improved cycling and greatly improved and expanded public streetscapes in the downtown to capitalize on the opportunities presented by the Confederation Line project to reconfigure downtown streets as better able to accommodate and meet the demands of the broader downtown pedestrian and cycling circulation system.

The plan aligns with Council’s Strategic Priority related to “Transportation and Mobility” and its associated Strategic Objective “to provide infrastructure to support mobility choices” and responds to and advances the following longstanding key Council approved directions/objectives to improve the public realm in the Rideau Street/Arts Precinct of the Central Area:

Official Plan

 Rideau Congress Centre Secondary Plan Objective 1.6.2 c. - to protect and enhance the pedestrian environment; and Policy 1.6.3 e.) - enhancement of the pedestrian environment through such measures as the maintenance of pedestrian links between the Rideau Centre and the market and the promotion of identifiable pedestrian corridors and ensuring appropriate streetscape treatment.

 Rideau Street Policy g. - to provide for a distinctive streetscape and pleasant pedestrian environment and that accommodates large volumes of pedestrian traffic and adequate areas for seating and bus waiting areas and that maintains and provides identifiable and secure and inviting pedestrian links to adjacent areas.

Downtown Ottawa Urban Design Strategy (approved 2004)

 Targeted precinct Strategy 22 for the Retail, Arts and Theater Precinct to improve the pedestrian experience along Rideau Street once the volume of busses is able to be reduced through the introduction of rapid transit.

Recommendation 1 provides for Council to receive the Rideau/Arts Precinct Public Realm Plan to serve as a guide for implementing public realm improvements consistent with Downtown Moves within the Rideau/Arts Precinct of the Central Area in conjunction with development initiatives and/or capital projects subject to funding being secured through yearly capital budget cycles. As noted in the background, it is considered critical to ensure that these initiatives will contribute to achieving a common public realm expression that will allow the precinct to be positioned as a dynamic sector of the downtown for residents, workers and visitors and that integrates well with land uses and 9 development in the area and with adjacent areas including the University of Ottawa and the ByWard Market area.

Receipt of the public realm plan will provide for staff initiating functional design work for the public realm in the precinct subject to funding being secured that would allow for the timely implementation of public realm improvements for the entire precinct. Following the work to implement the Rideau Street improvements and the Nicholas Street pedestrian mall (addressed in Recommendation 2), advancing the improvements to South Waller Street and the Mackenzie King Bridge will be a priority owing to the unique circumstances related to these two streets within the framework of Downtown Moves.

For South Waller Street (Laurier BRT Station) the option that will be pursued, based on consideration of the options presented in Document 1, and in further response to the December 2012 Motion of Council noted above, will be determined in consultation with the University of Ottawa and OC Transpo. Subject to funding either through a future capital budget or as part of the University of Ottawa implementation of their public realm plans, the aim will be to have the implementation of improvements align with the completion of the Confederation Line. For the Mackenzie King Bridge, the aim is to initiate implementation of improvements to align with the ongoing implementation of Downtown Moves.

Implementation of improvements to North Waller Street and the portion of Nicholas Street between the Mackenzie King Bridge and Laurier Avenue will be subject to removal of the interprovincial truck traffic from this corridor.

In summary, Council receipt of the plan as recommended that provides for staff initiating functional design work, subject to funding, will serve to provide a common frame of reference for implementing public realm improvements in conjunction with development. Such development can comprise private sector development of private lands where public realm improvements would be secured for adjacent streets through the site plan approval process, or public sector development as part of scheduled capital works or strategic initiatives such as the Arts Court Redevelopment (which will provide for public realm improvements along Waller Street and Daly Avenue) and with respect to public sector initiatives will provide for project budgets to be defined to provide for implementation of the public realm plan over time.

Recommendation 2

With the expected completion of the Confederation Line Rideau Street Station in 2017, the opening of the line in 2018, the opening of the Rideau Centre Expansion in 2016, 10 and the sesquicentennial (2017) celebrations for the confederation of Canada, there is a strategic opportunity to move forward to implement as a priority two key improvements set out in the Public Realm Plan – the realignment and streetscaping for Rideau Street and the conversion of Nicholas Street between Rideau Street and Besserer Street into a pedestrian mall. The implementation of these initiatives from a phasing and construction logistics perspective must recognize the challenges presented by the surface construction of entrances, vent shafts and station connections to adjacent developments (including the Rideau Centre expansion) in a corridor that is heavily utilized by pedestrians and transit vehicles and where implementation of certain elements that might be advanced in 2016, will be able to be completed in 2016 and in a way that does not impede Confederation Line construction activities.

The realignment of Rideau Street and associated streetscape improvements and the conversion of Nicholas Street into a pedestrian mall specifically responds to and advances the following specific directions for Rideau Street approved as part of or subsequent to approval of the Confederation Line project:

Council directions flowing from Confederation Line Approval (approved 2012)

 Direction 2 provides for staff to capitalize on the implementation of the Confederation Line to advance the design for the Rideau Street revitalization.

Downtown Moves (approved 2013)

 Section 4 “Move L” provides for streetscape improvements and prioritization of pedestrian comfort and movement for Rideau Street and that includes provision of wider sidewalks, and minimizing sidewalk space dedicated to bus and taxi lay- bys and provided that these be further considered as part of the Rideau Street renewal.

To allow the strategic opportunity for timely implementation of the Rideau Street improvements and the Nicholas pedestrian mall to be pursued, the Planning and Growth Management Department is moving forward using existing resources to prepare a functional design for the Rideau Street realignment based on the concept plan set out in the Public Realm Plan. Cadillac Fairview, owners of the Rideau Centre has retained their own consultant to develop a functional design for the Nicholas Street pedestrian mall that will be integrated with the functional design being developed for the Rideau Street improvements. 11

The functional design work will include completion of required technical analysis to meet requirements for traffic, pedestrian and transit flow through the corridor. The functional design work would also inform the specific locations for the vent shafts that are required to be provided along Rideau Street for the Confederation Line Rideau Station, details for the realignment of the street, locations for street furnishings, fixtures and street trees, and overall directions for surface treatments.

The functional design will build on the concept presented in the Rideau/Arts Public Realm Plan to ensure that all technical requirements will be addressed and that a level of detail will be determined that can allow for more accurate costing for cost sharing opportunities. Through Recommendation 2, staff are recommending that Council provide the Deputy City Manager, Planning and Infrastructure delegated authority to approve the functional design with the consent of the Mayor and the Ward Councillor. This is consistent with the approach that Council adopted when it gave approval to the Confederation Line project in 2012 when Council also provided delegated authority to the Deputy City Manager, Planning and Infrastructure to approve design refinements determined through the more detailed design work for the Confederation Line project and the Rideau Street Station in particular.

Through the development of the functional design, staff will be developing an implementation/phasing strategy for designing and constructing the Rideau Street realignment/streetscaping and the Nicholas pedestrian mall. The implementation framework will align construction phasing with the other works being undertaken, namely, the Confederation Line works and the Rideau Centre expansion. The phasing plan could provide for some works for the Rideau realignment/streetscaping and Nicholas pedestrian mall to be completed to align with the opening of the Rideau Center expansion in 2016. The implementation strategy would also include a more refined order of magnitude cost based on the functional design and breakdown of the specific works to allow determinations to be made on timing and responsibilities for implementation, construction coordination and for funding based on timing for implementation and cost sharing opportunities.

To provide for implementation to align with the completion of the Rideau Centre expansion and the Confederation Line project, and to allow the possibility for some works for the Rideau Street realignment/streetscaping and Nicholas pedestrian mall to be in place before 2017 (subject to these not interfering with Confederation Line construction activities), requires that the functional planning/detailed design, be prepared in 2015 to facilitate pursuing any opportunities that might be determined for some implementation in 2016. Key benefits associated with moving forward in a timely 12 manner with the detailed design 2015 and some implementation in 2016 that might be determined to be possible, can be summarized as follows:

 Benefit from economies of scale in cost of construction;

 Shorten the duration or extent of the construction and some associated reduced impacts to the street environment;

 Coordinating Confederation Line infrastructure (vent shafts) locations relative to the new curb line for Rideau Street;

 Secure possible cost sharing opportunities with potential contributing partners (Cadillac Fairview as part of their Rideau Centre expansion project and, Confederation Line as part of the coordination of re-instatement work following Rideau Station construction).

 Complete the design treatment for the designated ‘Theme Street’ section of Rideau Street (from King Edward Avenue to Colonel By Drive) to include sidewalk surfaces, lighting, street furniture and other streetscape elements consistent with the recently rebuilt section east of Dalhousie Street.

 Provide an efficient surface transit station arrangement.

 Incorporate items that may be requested by the BIA as part of the improvements to be integrated into the street design.

 Achieve longstanding directions of Council for realizing a significant improvement to the pedestrian environment along Rideau Street and in the area generally.

 Be a catalyst for further private sector investment and continued transformation of the overall precinct into a dynamic place within the overall downtown environment.

A key to achieving “Move L”, as set out in Downtown Moves, to reinforce the planned function of Rideau Street as a “Traditional Mainstreet” and a “Theme Street” within Ottawa’s retail, arts and theatre precinct through streetscape improvements so as to prioritize pedestrian comfort and movement is to achieve an appropriate balance between this pedestrian focus and the vehicular users of the street including bus transit service. Disproportionate use of the street by a single vehicle type such as high volume surface transit reduces the ambiance and comfort of the street for pedestrians and can retain characteristics for the street that are not conducive to a pedestrian focused retail 13 street. Receipt of the public realm plan provided for Council to endorse that Rideau Street following its revitalization function and be seen as a pedestrian focused downtown retail street that provides an appropriate balancing amongst vehicular users of the street consistent and the aspirations for the street to be pedestrian focused. This would include amongst other items, possibly examining bus routes, bus stops, and road geometrics and where it is determined that some adjustments should be undertaken, staff will develop and bring forward necessary recommendations to appropriate standing committees.

Summary

Approval of the recommendations set out in this report are focused on advancing the design work and setting the stage for moving forward with implementing the realignment and associated streetscaping for Rideau Street and for converting Nicholas Street into an open air pedestrian mall. The recommendations build on the work that has been undertaken by the Planning and Growth Management Department to develop a comprehensive public realm plan for the Rideau/Arts Precinct and the functional design work now being initiated for the Rideau Street realignment and improvements and for the conversion of Nicholas Street to a pedestrian mall between Rideau Street and Besserer Street consistent with directions previously approved by Council, and in particular directions set out in Downtown Moves. These provide for reinforcing the planned function of Rideau Street as a “Traditional Mainstreet” and a “Theme Street” within Ottawa’s retail, arts and theatre district through streetscape improvements to prioritize pedestrian comfort and movement to achieve the following objectives:

 Implementing priority pedestrian crossings as identified in Pedestrian Vision Plan 1 (Pedestrian Infrastructure) through the use of widened crosswalks, contrasting concrete crosswalks, or traffic signal changes;

 Securing wide sidewalks in the vicinity of Confederation Line station entrances and to support a high quality pedestrian environment for the entire station area;

 Providing for through-block connections in the vicinity of the transit stations;

 Encouraging street-oriented uses that animate the pedestrian environment;

 Minimizing the amount of sidewalk space displaced by bus and taxi lay-bys, and evaluating the possibility of on-street parking during evenings and week-ends; and,

 Improving streetscaping and planting to increase the comfort of the pedestrian environment. 14

These objectives are all achieved through the public realm plan that has been developed.

Moving forward with the development of a functional plan and determining an implementation strategy for the Rideau Street and Nicholas Street improvements, subject to funding being secured, would allow the detailed design work to be initiated in 2015. The detailed design would confirm curb realignments and locations for street fixtures/furnishings, including infrastructure for the Confederation Line Rideau Station, landscaping/street trees and surface treatments and provide for implementation of certain works (Nicholas Pedestrian Mall and possibly some Rideau Street Improvements adjacent to the Rideau Center expansion) in 2016 that could align with the opening of the Rideau Center expansion provided such works can be undertaken in a way that does not interfere with Confederation Line construction activities. The implementation of the remaining works would commence in 2018 following the completion of the Confederation line project to ensure a dynamic pedestrian focused public realm will be in place for Rideau Street to support area retail, pedestrian and transit access to the Confederation Line project and provide an improved pedestrian environment that can accommodate the anticipated increased pedestrian activity that the Rideau Centre expansion and Confederation Line are expected to bring to the area in 2018 and beyond.

Initiating works to achieve timely improvements for all the other streets in the precinct would provide for achieving a meaningful transformation of the area to become a premier pedestrian focused precinct that will capitalize on the transformative projects being pursued (Confederation Line, Rideau Centre Expansion, Arts Court, University of Ottawa Public realm improvements) and will position the area as a key downtown precinct focused on arts and entertainment for both residents and visitors.

RURAL IMPLICATIONS

There are no rural implications associated with this report.

CONSULTATION

The area’s stakeholders and City authorities were individually interviewed by staff and the consultants to identify the issues and determine the strategic directions and principles that would serve as a foundation for a comprehensive public realm plan that accommodates the needs of the stakeholders.

The individual interviews were conducted for two days on February 24 and 25, 2014 15 and the draft plan, as a result of this community input, was presented to the invited stakeholders on May 7, 2014 for comments and feedback. The reception of the plan was positive for all stakeholders who were anxious to see the precinct transform into a more pedestrian friendly and coordinated ‘place’.

Stakeholders included Councillor Fleury, the Deputy City Manager, Planning and Infrastructure, Cadillac Fairview, Rideau Centre, Hudson’s Bay, Downtown Rideau BIA, Byward Market BIA, Convention Centre, Arts Court, University of Ottawa, area hotels, Lowertown Community Association, Action Sandy Hill, OC Transpo, STO, the National Capital Commission, City Real Estate Office, Transit Services, Transportation Planning, Public Works, LRT Rail Implementation Office and Culture and Heritage Services.

In addition, in February 2014, the Planning and Growth Management Department initiated an online survey to gather public opinion on the City of Ottawa’s plan to guide the coordination of how various needs for the public realm could be accommodated in a way that supported the transformation of the Rideau/Arts Precinct into a dynamic place. Capitalizing on the significant investments being made by the City and private development interests, the intent was to provide a balanced and contemporary approach to mobility. This was administered through an online survey hosted on a City server and included the following five questions:

1) What are your issues and concerns pertaining to the current design and function of the City’s street right-of-ways and public spaces?

2) What is your broad vision for this precinct? How can it be transformed to best contribute to the City as a whole and what role will its streets and public spaces play?

3) What do you believe to be the key elements of successful complete streets, and streets that support a dynamic and sustainable public realm?

4) What specific modifications to the design and function of the city street right-of-ways would you like to see?

5) What potential projects or partners exist that could contribute to the success in implementing a public realm plan?

The comments received helped staff and the consultants prepare the plan.

Matters raised by various stakeholders that will be further addressed through the functional design work for the Rideau Street realignment and streetscaping and for enhancements to the public realm for other streets in the precinct include: details for the 16 use of the shared flex space for loading/taxis/ParaTranspo (raised by the Rideau BIA); preferred solution for South Waller Street (being confirmed through further discussion between University of Ottawa and OC Transpo); rebalancing of surface transit along Rideau Street and the Mackenzie King Bridge (raised by the BIA/Rideau Centre - recommendation is provided in staff report to further examine such opportunities); advancing plans for re-routing the provincial trucks off Rideau Street/Waller (identified by both the Rideau BIA and Byward BIA as a critical element to achieving the public realm plan improvements).

In addition to the engagement with stakeholder interests held as the Public Realm Plan was developed, the final plan attached as Document 1 was also posted on Ottawa.ca inviting members of the public to review and provide any thoughts/comments. Six responses were received. The comments provided focused on matters such as the geometry for the re-alignment of Rideau, ensuring good cycling connections through the precinct, street tree planting, ensuring a strong pedestrian connection from the University of Ottawa to Rideau, and constraints presented by the interprovincial truck route through the precinct. The various matters raised related to Rideau Street and Nicholas Street will be addressed through the functional design that is being prepared and the detailed design that will be developed for the Rideau Street improvements and for the Nicholas pedestrian mall. Comments related to matters affecting other streets in the precinct will be addressed when functional designs are developed for these streets.

COMMENTS BY THE WARD COUNCILLOR

Councillor Fleury is supportive of this initiative to advance realizing longstanding Council directions for the implementation of public realm improvements for the Rideau Street and Arts Precinct. With its proximity to the ByWard Market, the Parliamentary precinct and the Rideau Canal, this area needs investment to remain a destination for residents and tourists alike. With the investment of Cadillac-Fairview, the LRT and Arts Court, we have an opportunity to revitalize this important part of our city.

LEGAL IMPLICATIONS

There are no legal impediments to adopting the recommendations outlined in this report.

RISK MANAGEMENT IMPLICATIONS

There are moderate risk implications to not proceeding that have been identified and explained in the report. 17

FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS

Funding for the Rideau/Arts Precinct Public Realm will be brought forward for Council consideration in the 2015 Draft Capital Budget, and within the Term of Council Strategic Initiatives Plan.

ACCESSIBILITY IMPACTS

Accessibility requirements as set out in the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act and the corporate Accessibility Policy, will be addressed through the functional and detailed design phases for the implementation of the street improvements conceptually identified in the Rideau/Arts Precinct Public Realm Plan.

ENVIRONMENTAL IMPLICATIONS

The modifications to Rideau Street from Sussex Drive to Dalhousie Street is a Schedule A+ activity pursuant to the Municipal Engineers Class Environmental Assessment (MCEA), as a transit project. The conversion of Nicholas Street is not captured as a project subject to a Municipal Class EA.

The sector of the Rideau Street right-of-way between Dalhousie Street and Sussex Drive accommodates the existing Rideau Street bus transit station which is composed of various transit infrastructure components. The components are located along the curb lane in each direction and within each adjacent sidewalk zone. The components include bus-only transit lanes, bus stop zones within the transit lanes, bus loading zones, para transpo loading zones, bus shelters, transit-related signage, and sidewalks to accommodate transit patrons as well as other pedestrians. In addition to the above- noted Rideau Street bus transit station components, the right-of-way under the existing arrangement also accommodates one general purpose shared lane in each direction that accommodates all vehicle modes including cyclists. The demonstrated modifications to the Rideau Street right-of-way include the following works:

• continued provision of one shared general purpose lane in each direction that accommodates all vehicle modes including cyclists;

• shortening of the length of both the eastbound and westbound bus-only transit lanes, and consolidation of the lanes to only the “near-side” portions of the Rideau Street bus transit station sector; and,

• a corresponding consolidation of the bus stop zones, bus loading zones, para transpo loading zones, bus shelters, transit-related signage, and sidewalk areas. 18

The rationale for this transit project is based on the need and opportunity to re-arrange the Rideau Street bus transit station in a manner that:

• is harmonized with the location and arrangement of the Confederation Line Rideau Station;

• provides for an efficient bus transit station operation that consolidates functionality for both OC Transpo buses and STO buses;

• provides additional sidewalk space to accommodate additional pedestrian movements that are anticipated to result from the operation of Confederation Line; and,

• provides an opportunity to improve the quantity and quality of the public realm in a manner that supports the investments proposed by both the Confederation Line project and adjacent private developments.

On the basis of the foregoing, the proposed project fits the category of a transit project that falls under item #21 in the Municipal Class EA: “Expansions, improvements and modifications to existing stations, maintenance and storage facilities, passenger pick- up/drop off areas (e.g. Kiss and Ride), park and ride lots, etc. in or adjacent to residential land-use or an environmentally sensitive area including natural heritage features, cultural heritage and archaeological resources, recreational or other sensitive land-uses.”

Schedule A+ activities are, “preapproved”, however, the public is to be advised prior to implementation. Posting of the Public Realm Plan and notice of this report for consideration by Planning Committee at a formal public meeting meets the requirements for the public to be advised. There is no opportunity for Part II orders for Schedule A+ projects.

TECHNOLOGY IMPLICATIONS

Information Technology and Planning and Growth Management have agreed that for Land Use reports from Development Review Services and Policy Development and Urban Design Branches, there is no technology component.

TERM OF COUNCIL PRIORITIES

This report is supportive of the following Term of Council Priorities:

M3 - Provide infrastructure to support mobility choices;

TM4 - Promote alternative mobility choices; 19

HC2 - Improve parks, recreation, arts and heritage.

SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION

Document 1 Rideau/Arts Precinct Public Realm Plan (attached separately – on file with the City Clerk)

DISPOSITION

The Planning and Growth Management Department and other City Departments will follow through on actions flowing from the approved recommendations including:

 Employing the values described in this report for making Rideau Street a pedestrian focused downtown retail street while balancing the function of the street with vehicular use including surface transit service;

 Developing and bringing forward to standing committees any necessary recommendations for changes in bus routes, bus stops, and road reconfiguration to achieve Council’s vision for the area as outlined in this report; and

 Subject to funding, undertaking functional designs, consistent with the concept designs shown in Document 1, for all other streets within the precinct in a timely manner.