OCTOBER 16, 2020 VOL. 25 NO. 9 THE CENTRETOWN BUZZ Boushey’s remembered, 7 Dundonald Park, an urban oasis 11 The Centretown BUZZ turns 25! The BUZZ’s issues, from 1995 to 2020, have been a reflection of what’s his month marks the tors encourage residents and happening in Centretown and what’s affecting Centretowners. 25th anniversary of friends of Centretown to sub- the publication of mit their written thoughts and BRETT DELMAGE/THE BUZZ T our first issue in October observations to make readers 1995. In its honour, the of the paper aware of what is City of Ottawa has pro- going on here in central Ot- Where can Gatineau transit fit claimed Centretown BUZZ tawa. BUZZ articles may not Day on October 19. always adhere to strict rules on Centretown streets? Originally started as of journalistic standards, but Alayne McGregor to remove STO buses from the downtown, a publication by the Cen- we hope they give readers of “so that we can reallocate that space to pe- tretown Citizens Community the paper a sense of the con- here should the Gatineau bus- destrians, to cyclists, ensure we are provid- Association (CCCA), The cerns of Centretowners. es go? While Ottawa’s light ing as much public space as possible. So I BUZZ was strictly a volun- The two community as- W rail system has removed most think that it’s very important that we have teer effort until 1999 when a sociation owners use the of its buses from downtown, buses from the link.” business model was adopted publication to make readers across the river still clog Wellington However, they thought that “things have that would enable us to pay aware of current land use Street in downtown Ottawa. changed significantly enough” since the link for a managing editor. At the planning proposals for the The Société de transport de l’Outaouais was first proposed. “We’re in different times same time, the paper became ward, along with their other (STO) is now working on a replacement now, so I think that much of it will have to a jointly owned publication activities and to advocate service: an electric tramway from Aylmer to be reconsidered.” of the two community asso- for issues that they wish to Ottawa. It presented possible routes to Ot- They didn’t care for either STO pro- ciations in Somerset Ward: gather support for from Cen- tawa councillors in September, but the pre- posal. “I know it’s called a tramway but CCCA (now renamed the tretown residents. sentation left as many questions as answers it’s a large system that, if it did run down Centretown Community As- Over the last 25 years, – and whatever route is chosen will have Wellington, it would require fencing and it sociation) and the Dalhousie the paper has been finan- major implications for Ottawa’s downtown. would block access to the street. I would Community Association. cially self-sufficient thanks Ottawa City Council is scheduled to make prefer almost an electric streetcar that just Aside from the managing to our advertisers. This ad- a choice in November. But, according to both did that loop, between Portage, Wellington, editor, everyone else who vertising support would not Councillor Catherine McKenney and the Ot- back up the Alexandra Bridge, just to do works on the paper is a vol- be there if it were not for you tawa Transit Riders Association (OTRA), a that loop into the city where we could leave unteer whether that person the readers. Thank you for lot more information is needed first. Wellington open. We could close it to all be a writer, a proof-reader, a your support and do not hesi- After crossing on the Portage Bridge, other traffic and it becomes pedestrianized.” copy editor, or a deliverer. tate to let us know how we the proposed STO tram would either run in OTRA board member Stuart MacKay The last group, number- can improve our publication. a tunnel under Sparks Street (with two sta- said OTRA needed to see much more detail ing over 40 people, ensure If you like what we do, tions), or go along Wellington Street on the before supporting any proposal. that the paper is delivered to come help us out! We could surface (with three stations). The Welling- “Our main concern is just making sure nearly 10,000 businesses and also use more writers and ton Street option could either have the tram that there’s reliable connections between residences in Centretown deliverers. As we begin our share space with traffic on its entire length any proposed site and the LRT stations each month (except for next 25, we hope that the or run without traffic between Bank and El- which are already there. We’d like to see July). Over the last 25 years, paper will continue to grow gin Streets. From Portage Bridge onward, more on how that’s going to work, how hundreds of Centretowners as a community newspaper the surface tram would run on batteries those connections are going to be made. At have given their valuable due to the contributions from (without overhead catenary wires) to pre- the end of the day you want to make sure time (not to mention literally more Centretowners, so that serve the visual aesthetics of Confederation that these two systems are easy to access, thousands of dollars of gas we all learn about and learn Boulevard. easy to connect for riders because if you purchases and vehicle wear to appreciate this wonderful No costs were given, but the city staff don’t have that, especially in the wintertime and tear) to produce and dis- downtown community. report noted that “underground construction if people have to go outside on the street and tribute the paper so that we is more complex and more costly than the then connect to an LRT station or vice versa, fulfill the key mandate of the Archie Campbell surface option.” that’s going to be an issue.” paper “Centretowners talk- Chair Currently, there are more than 200,000 Currently, he said, riders working at ing to Centretowners”. Centretown BUZZ Board of inter-provincial crossings daily, with about Place du Portage still report that STO inter- This means that our edi- Directors one-quarter on public transit. The report said provincial buses are unreliable. “You’re still that the tramway would replace about 70 per- waiting to make those connections.” And cent of the STO buses running into Ottawa. pre-pandemic, in the Read more about the BUZZ’s McKenney said the city needed a plan cont on page 10 history on pages 4, 5, and 6. 2 AT THE HEART OF OTTAWA OCTOBER 16, 2020 October 16, 2020 — Vol. 25, No. 9 The Good, the Bad, and the Bumpy: THE Celebrating 25 years CENTRETOWN Ryan Lythall give a voice to many in our community bonus if I can do it regularly. his month marks the 25th an- and to shine a light on topics typically Over the past year, I’ve been able BUZZ niversary of the publication ignored by the mainstream media, for to talk about ParaTranspo, the lack of T of The Centretown BUZZ. I example, issues that are related to peo- wheelchair accessibility and, more re- AT THE HEART OF OTTAWA SINCE 1995. want to talk about how the paper has ple with disabilities such as myself. cently, how COVID-19 has impacted played a vital role in keeping me in- I’ve been part of the team for just people with disabilities. I’m grateful 101-210 Gloucester St. formed, how I became involved with over a year now. In that short period, that the paper continues to give me an Ottawa, ON the paper, and what writing a month- I’ve had a better opportunity to see the opportunity to discuss issues that im- K2P 2K4 ly column for The BUZZ has meant impact that The Centretown BUZZ has, pact the disabled. Phone: 613-565-6012 to me. both in Centretown and beyond. The paper continues to give a voice to many Many thanks Keeping us connected in our community. Thank you to everyone who con- centretownbuzz.com As a long-time resident of Cen- tinues to read this column. I’ve had twitter.com/centretownbuzz tretown for almost 27 years, The BUZZ Becoming involved the pleasure of meeting and interacting facebook.com/centretownbuzz has played an essential role in keeping Over a year ago, a friend of mine with some of you. I always enjoy hear- me informed about what’s happening heard about an opening at The BUZZ ing your feedback and your support. I BUZZ Staff right outside my door, especially during and suggested that I reach out to it. I genuinely appreciate it. times when I’m stuck at home. was nervous, at first, because I had no I would also like to thank everyone Managing editor: Alayne McGregor Before the Internet and other social experience writing a monthly column. on the team for all the hard work they [email protected] media made communication so much However, I had been outspoken in the do to put this paper together both in easier, one of the only ways that I could media regarding wheelchair accessibil- print and online monthly. Associate editor: Eleanor Sawyer stay connected to my neighbourhood ity and transportation. Writing a month- Happy 25th anniversary to The was by picking up and reading a copy ly column has allowed me to discuss Centretown BUZZ! Here’s to another 25 City Editor: Robert Smythe of The BUZZ.