1.12 Rideau Street

Conceptual Image: Rideau Street

1.12.1 Vision

Revitalization

The coming years will see the continued but accelerated evolution of Rideau Street and the realization of the potential of this area as a vital part of Ottawa's Central Business District through a variety of public and private initiatives.

At street level, this will be reflected by the revitalization of the street, and its reinstatement as both an east-west transportation artery and a dynamic pedestrian shopping street. This will be achieved through: the opening of the street to automobile traffic with the retention of bus-only lanes, the realization of continuous, pedestrian-oriented uses with direct street access and enhanced visibility, the preservation and enhancement of heritage buildings and facades, the maximization of sunlight, the provision of pedestrian links to adjacent areas (especially to the By Ward Market and the Rideau Congress Centre areas), and the creation of an identifiable streetscape theme, with unique street furnishings, landscaping, lighting and signage.

Mixed Uses

Above the street, a mix of commercial as well as some residential uses will attract businesses, residents and visitors, supporting the retail street and the surrounding area, day and night. New developments will be designed to high urban design standards, and will complement, and be sensitive to, surrounding uses. This design sensitivity will provide a sense of human scale, and permit the sunlight penetration, views, and wind attenuation that will help create a pleasant pedestrian environment not only for Rideau Street itself, but also for adjoining areas, such as the By Ward Market.

Rideau Street Evolution

An east-west flow of pedestrian and vehicular traffic will be successfully reactivated complementing established north-south pedestrian routes, and through truck traffic will be removed. In addition, Rideau Street's establishment as a gateway into the Central Area, the creation of significant development at the east end of the street, and the realization of an aggressive centralized retail marketing strategy will all contribute to Rideau Street's evolution as a vital part of the Central Business District. The potential expansion of the Congress Centre, and increased hotels east of the Canal will also assist in the successful realization of the Central Business District east of the Canal.

Main Street

Clearly, Rideau Street will establish itself as the main street spine for the Central Area east of the Canal - providing pedestrian and transportation links to the area west of the Canal, as well as essential transit services to the surrounding areas.

Rideau Street will be the focus of exemplary development which accentuates existing features, and sets an urban design standard for Ottawa and other cities. It will also be a premiere business address, a sought-after residential location, and a popular downtown destination and meeting place.

1.12.2 Objectives

Vital Part of Central Business District

    1. To revitalize, and promote the development of Rideau Street, as designated on Schedule B - Central Area Character Areas and Theme Streets, as a vital part of the Central Business District, with a mix of commercial and residential uses which focus on a historical, pedestrian-oriented shopping street.

Gateway Function

    1. To promote the function of Rideau Street as an east-west transportation artery, and a gateway into the Central Area.

1.12.3 Policies

Mixed Use Business District with Shopping Street Focus

    1. City Council shall promote Rideau Street as a significant Central Area shopping street and an integral part of the Central Business District. City Council shall therefore:
      1. require pedestrian-oriented uses at grade;
      2. permit and promote commercial, residential or other appropriate uses to locate above the street; and
      3. promote uses which encourage evening activity, such as restaurant-bars and entertainment uses.

Profile of Development and Design Criteria

    1. City Council shall ensure that development along Rideau Street provides an interesting roof treatment or other appropriate design feature at the upper levels, within the height limits, contributes to a sense of human scale and minimizes overpowering effects, respects heritage resources and the preservation of the symbolic primacy of the Centre Block, minimizes shadowing and undesirable wind impacts, and provides a continuity of weather protection, in accordance with Policies d) and e) below. City Council shall therefore permit a range of building profiles, while having regard to the following criteria:
      1. where it directly abuts the street, development shall generally be at low profiles, retaining the sense of a traditional shopping street;
      2. where development reaches medium to high profiles above the street, it shall generally be set back;
      3. development between Sussex Drive and Dalhousie Street will generally be at low to medium profiles; development between Dalhousie and Cumberland Streets will generally be at medium to high profiles, and:
      • provide an appropriate transition to abutting Character Areas, and in particular, from Rideau Street to the low profile forms in the By Ward Market Character Area compatible with the heritage character of the area,
      • maintain direct sunlight on the By Ward Market Square, in accordance with Policy 1.5.3 d) of this chapter, and
      • maximize sunlight on the William and Waller Street pedestrian malls; and
      1. a concentration of high profile development will be promoted between Cumberland Street and King Edward Avenue, in order to establish an anchor and visual focus for the street and to help define it as a gateway into the Central Area.

Heritage Area

    1. City Council shall ensure the protection, conservation and enhancement of heritage resources on Rideau Street, and shall ensure that the design of development respects, and is sensitive to, such heritage features.

Rideau Street Heritage Group

    1. City Council shall recognize that the group of heritage buildings on the north side of Rideau Street generally between Sussex Drive and Cumberland Street represents the most significant heritage area on Rideau Street. City Council shall, therefore, investigate its potential designation as a Heritage Conservation District and the adoption of design criteria for the Central Area.

Façade Improvement

    1. City Council shall promote the implementation of a façade improvement programme for Rideau Street, and shall investigate financial opportunities to achieve this aim, in consultation with Rideau Street interests.

Theme

    1. City Council shall, in consultation with Rideau Street interests, establish and promote an appropriate theme for Rideau Street, and shall ensure that this theme is reflected by development within this area.

Distinctive Streetscape and Pleasant Pedestrian Environment

    1. City Council shall ensure that a distinctive, co-ordinated streetscape treatment and a pleasant pedestrian environment are established and maintained along Rideau Street. In particular, City Council shall ensure that the Rideau Street streetscaping treatment:
      1. is vibrant, respects its heritage resources, and reflects its gateway function and theme, in keeping with Policies a), b) and g) above;
      2. accommodates large volumes of pedestrian traffic and provides adequate seating and bus waiting areas;
      3. establishes and maintains an attractive, identifiable streetscape for Rideau Street, including such elements as unique landscape treatment, soft landscaping, trees, lighting, signage and entrance elements which reflect its gateway function. These elements shall be in keeping with the theme established for the street, as well as its heritage character;
      4. maintains and provides identifiable, secure, inviting pedestrian links to adjacent Character Areas, especially the By Ward Market and Rideau/Congress Centre Character Areas, and to the Central Area west of the Canal; and
      5. animates and enhances the William and Waller Street pedestrian malls, in a manner which will facilitate a variety of pedestrian-oriented activities, such as street theatre, outdoor cafés and business association and other activities and events in accordance with Policy 1.5.3 j) of this Plan.

Views

    1. City Council shall protect significant public views from the Rideau Street right-of-way - particularly those of the significant heritage area as per Policy d) above; views of Parliament Hill and heritage resources west of the Canal; and of the Mercury Court development at Rideau and Dalhousie Streets.

Transportation Artery

    1. City Council shall promote Rideau Street as an east-west transportation artery by:
      1. accommodating both automobile traffic and exclusive bus lanes;
      2. maintaining a high level of transit service;
      3. ensuring provision of suitable bus shelter/waiting areas; and
      4. pursuing the removal of through truck traffic as appropriate alternative routes become available.

Parking

    1. City Council shall identify the parking needs of Rideau Street, and if appropriate, facilitate the provision of additional short-term parking spaces within mixed use development on the edges of adjacent Character Areas or on Rideau Street subject to Policy l) below, exclusive of the By Ward Market.

Access Loading

    1. City Council shall facilitate continuous pedestrian and vehicular movement along Rideau Street by generally requiring that appropriate off-street loading and vehicular access occur from nearby streets, subject to the fulfillment of policies in the Secondary Policy Plans for adjacent Character Areas.

Central Retail Management and Marketing

    1. City Council shall facilitate the implementation of a central retail management strategy for Rideau Street in consultation with Rideau street interests.

Targeted Strategy Rideau Street Beautification

    1. In addition to the streetscaping elements for Rideau Street outlined in Policy g) above, City Council shall consider undertaking the following targeted strategy (see Annex 11) to implement the Downtown Ottawa Urban Design Strategy. Note that Targeted Strategies for Rideau Centre/Congress Centre Façade Improvement and Heritage Asset Protection and Street Theming in Section 1.6 Rideau-Congress Centre also apply to Section 1.12 Rideau Street:
      1. a vigorous maintenance program, including the reintroduction of new hardy street trees, landscaping and lighting along Rideau Street; and
      2. removal of one of the overhead pedestrian bridges linking the Rideau Centre with the HBC store, or alternatively, a redesign of the two bridges to make them inspiring set pieces for the Rideau Centre in connection with the City’s public art program. [Amendment #24, May 25, 2005]
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