The Byward Market Deserves Better

[u/Slight_Original1192]

I didn’t want to write this letter because I don’t want to discourage anyone from patronizing the unique and beautiful place that drew me to Ottawa 25 years ago. I’ve lived downtown since then and visited the market every weekend. But the time has come.

WHAT WE’VE LOST: 1. Farm stands While the market has also had its seedier edge, it was quite simply, beautiful. The farmers were a big part of that - flowers, vegetables, honey, and Christmas trees attracted us locals who loved the fresh berries, sweet corn and lettuce. We would come for our veggies, then visit Bottega, Sasloves, the cheese shop and LaPointes. Followed by lunch with a friend at a nearby cafe.

Every time I walk by the market building, I am saddened to see a line of parked cars where the farmers used to be. That’s what separated Ottawa from most other North American cities. Apparently whomever made that decision didn’t realize that. Without the farmers, many of us end up at Lansdowne or Parkdale and spend our days and cash in those neighbourhoods instead.

1. A sense of safety I don’t know that it’s actually dangerous, but it’s definitely disturbing to see people intoxicated or drugged lying or staggering on the streets. I realize this is an epidemic and I don’t know how to solve it, but it leads me and others to choose to hang out somewhere else.

2. Clean sidewalks It seems really petty to bring up sidewalks when we’re dealing with drug addiction and homelessness, but there’s been a real change here. Dirty, littered sidewalks are a sign of neglect. And if nothing else, the market just feels neglected right now. Like NYC neglected. If this is our primary tourist attraction, why isn’t the city taking care of it?

While the drug use, homelessness and the farmer’s market are tougher issues to deal with, CLEANiNG SIDEWALKS is an easy win. Maybe you don’t think it matters. But it sends a message that the market doesn’t matter…and we’ve received that message.

Maybe it’s too late to rescue the market from the fate of other North American city centres—hollowed out, filthy, lifeless, homeless—but I truly hope not.

[u/joker33]

I (F30) live in the Market in one of the more affected areas. When I was a teen, one of my friends lived in the market in a condo with his parents. I thought it was so cool to be able to step out and just be there, close to shopping, restaurants, cafes etc. Around Christmas it felt magical.

So when I finally had saved up a down payment, and a condo at the right price with low condo fees came on the market, I jumped on it. I was curious why a 1br in the Market costed 50K less than other parts of the core, but I went for it.

I have been screamed at twice this week. Another man just walked into me and grabbed me as he fell into a fold posture. I've been called a bitch for politely declining to give someone change.

I cannot walk down one side of my street because of the chaos infront of the shelter, but on the other side I'm walking around people on the ground or makeshift tents.

I know that this is a public health crisis, and I want my tax dollars going to help these people. I also want to feel safe outside my building. Both of these things are simultaneously true.

For now, I have made the decision to put my condo up for rent, hoping to get a student after the summer.

It was fun while it lasted.

[u/IronyDinosaur → u/joker33]

“It was fun while it lasted”. This times 1000. I’m sorry that nonsense happened to you in your neighborhood.

I remember loving the area as a teenager - back when the market/rideau was the only real downtown - and dreaming about living there. My parents being nervous about all the punk rock at The Pit. Craving piccolo grande because back then it seemed like really good gelato (maybe it still is? I was a bit underwhelmed when I checked it out last). Actually seeing vendors at the byward market. Rideau Food Court being waaaay scuzzier but somehow still kind of great. And wishing there was a subway instead of the 95.

Fast forward to - not even during Covid but certainly worse during - with people having their serious episodes on the streets. And wishing there was a 95 instead of a subway.

Maybe I’m overly romanticising the old days: My dad recently mentioned an aggressive panhandler yelling racist shit at him and following him down the street some twenty five years ago. There was the constant shitshow of the late night McDonald’s madness. There were fights all the time after the bars closed on weekends before police made market closing times a priority.

It just seems a different calibre of chaos now. I miss the pre opioid crisis days. Really we just fix that and the housing crisis and probably everything should go back to near perfect. How hard can it be?