Ottawa looks to transform streetscape of ByWard Market Square and William Street (CTV)
March 3, 2025 - CTV Ottawa
The City of Ottawa is looking to give a section of the ByWard Market a makeover, as it moves ahead with plans to transform William Street into a permanent pedestrian-only street.
The city issued a tender on Merx last week, seeking proposals to provide professional engineering and landscape architectural services for the design of the William Street and ByWard Market Square streetscape renewal.
“William Street will be an important pedestrian corridor between Rideau Street and will draw visitation into the heart of the Market,” Amanda Mullins, manager of ByWard Market Strategic Project, said in a statement to CTV News Ottawa.
“The renewed spaces are to include high quality lighting and illumination, multi-use vending stalls, extended space for patios and storefront activations, as well as seating and improved accessibility. They also will provide the required infrastructure, such as electricity and water supply to support quality activations and special events. Collectively, these amenities are intended to create a destination experience 365 days a year.”
Under the plan, construction on William Street will be completed by the end of 2026, ahead of the 200th anniversary of the ByWard Market in 2027.