Ottawa to spend $500,000 to enhance façades of historic Bank Street buildings

CTV News

2 days ago

The City of Ottawa is looking to make aesthetic improvements to the façade of commercial heritage buildings to strengthen the historic character of buildings in the Bank Street area of Centretown.
A report for the Built Heritage Committee proposes establishing a $500,000 Centretown Heritage Façade Improvement Pilot Program to encourage the restoration and conservation of heritage buildings.
Under the proposed plan, eligible owners could receive 75 per cent of costs up to a maximum of $75,000 to support heritage façade improvements and restoration.
'The objective is to encourage private investment in the revitalization of the Bank Street corridor as part of the broader revitalization plan for Centretown,' says the report for the June 10 committee meeting.
'Through aesthetic façade improvements such as signage, lighting, commercial storefront improvements and heritage conservation projects such as masonry conservation, private property owners can help contribute to a vibrant Bank Street. These efforts will help reinforce a special sense of place along Bank Street as a historic main street in the downtown core.'
Staff say eligible work includes improvements and restoration of storefront windows, entrances, brickwork, cornices and architectural detailing, and heritage compliant awnings, signage, painting, and lighting.
The report says while a Heritage Property Grant Program already exists, the need for additional investment on Bank and Somerset streets 'has been identified through the city's ongoing work on downtown revitalization.'
'With additional funding and tailored support, the City would empower property owners to meaningfully conserve heritage features while contributing to the vibrancy of this historic main street,' staff say.
Buildings eligible for the funding must be designated under the Ontario Heritage Act and be located on Bank Street, between Catherine and Albert Street, and a section of Somerset Street east of Bank Street.
The proposed Centretown Heritage Façade Improvement Pilot Program would run between this summer and the end of December 2026.