Latest news with #BankStreet
CTV News
3 days ago
- Business
- CTV News
Police seeking suspects who rammed pickup into Ottawa jeweller, stole items
The sign outside Ottawa Police headquarters on Elgin St. is seen in this undated photo. (Aaron Reid/CTV News Ottawa) The Ottawa Police Service is seeking public assistance after suspects robbed a jewelry store by driving into it with their vehicle last week. Police say four or five masked men rammed a stolen pickup through the store's front entrance in the 1700 block of Bank Street shortly before 2:30 p.m. A 'quantity' of jewelry was stolen, police say. The suspects then fled the area in a silver SUV. There were no injuries and an investigation is ongoing. No arrests have been announced. Investigators are asking anyone in the area around 2:25 to 2:45 p.m. to check their dashcam or surveillance camera footage. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Robbery Unit at 613-236-1222, extension 5116. Stay anonymous and call Crime Stoppers toll-free at 1-800-222-8477 or submit a tip online at
CTV News
4 days ago
- Business
- CTV News
Ottawa to spend $500,000 to enhance façades of historic Bank Street buildings
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.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Grant scheme aims to increase city's café culture
Money is being offered to businesses in Bradford in a bid to increase café culture in the city. Bradford Council is running a pilot scheme to help pay for outdoor furniture and equipment, with the aim of adding "vibrancy to the street scene". Applicants can apply for grants of up to £3,000 to buy items such as tables, chairs, planters and lighting as well covering the costs of installation. The scheme is currently only available to businesses on those roads "most impacted" by the recent £48m Transforming Cities Fund works, the council said. Alex Ross-Shaw, the council's executive member for regeneration, planning and transport said: "We welcome applications from businesses to introduce outdoor seating which will take advantage of the wonderful new pedestrianised areas. "Our team have been visiting the local hospitality businesses in the eligible area to inform them of the grants and encourage them to consider expanding and use the new environment to increase trading. "Anyone wanting to put outdoor seating facilities on the public highway such as chairs, tables, barriers, menu boards, parasols and associated structures, needs to first seek approval by applying for an Outdoor Seating Licence." The eligible streets are: Market Street Bank Street Broadway Bridge Street Hall Ings Tyrrel Street Listen to highlights from West Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North. Bradford Council Visitor numbers to Bradford rise - but are they spending money? People urged to return to city centre as works end
CTV News
4 days ago
- Business
- CTV News
Scotiabank to close branch at Carleton University this summer
Scotiabank is closing its branch at Carleton University on Aug. 5. (Katie Griffin/CTV News Ottawa) Scotiabank is cashing out of Carleton University, closing its branch at the campus of the Ottawa University. In a statement to CTV News Ottawa, Scotiabank said it has 'made the difficult decision' to close the Carleton University branch on August 5 and relocate in-person services to its branch at 1145 Bank Street, near Belmont Avenue. 'With client preferences changing, and more day-to-day banking being done digitally, we are continuing to evolve how we serve our clients and invest in areas that make it easier for them to bank with us from wherever they are,' Scotiabank said. 'We are committed to supporting our customers, employees and communities through this transition.' When asked if the Automated Banking Machine would remain on campus, Scotiabank said it had no further information about its services at Carleton University. In March, the Scotiabank branch inside Paterson Hall switched to 'advice services only,' and eliminated tellers providing over-the-counter cash services, including allowing customers to deposit cash or make bill payments. The ABM machine remains at Carleton University through the spring. Carleton University A Scotiabank automated banking machine (ABM) at Carleton University. Scotiabank tells CTV News Ottawa three branches, including Carleton University, now focus on advice. (Dave Charbonneau/CTV News Ottawa) The closest branches to Carleton University are 1145 Bank Street, 1.2 kilometres away, and 828 Bank Street, approximately 2 kilometres away. RBC has a branch on the campus of the University of Ottawa, called a 'financial literacy centre for students.'
CTV News
29-05-2025
- General
- CTV News
Community group takes over Mayfair Theatre marquee to promote Bank Street bus lane pitch
The marquee at the Mayfair Theatre included a message about supporting bus lanes on Bank Street by the community group Strong Towns Ottawa. May 29, 2025. (Dave Charbonneau/CTV News Ottawa) The marquee at the Mayfair Theatre on Bank Street was not showing a movie Thursday morning, but instead a message about bus lanes. A local community group is raising awareness about their demand for dedicated bus lanes on the busy street through a campaign that includes the sign on the marquee and ads that play before movies at the local cinema. Strong Towns Ottawa says none of the options the City of Ottawa is considering for the future of Bank Street are adequate. The city is exploring ways to improve transit and active transportation on a busy corridor of Bank between the Rideau Canal and Highway 417 but says full time bus-only lanes and removing all on-street vehicle parking have been eliminated as options. Instead, the city is proposing having dedicated bus lanes only during peak traffic periods in the morning and afternoon. 'A simple change could make for a much better Bank Street: instead of only having bus lanes for 2 hours in the morning and 2 hours in the evening, let's have them 24/7! The on-street parking should be moved to the plethora of options available surrounding Bank Street,' a statement on Strong Towns Ottawa's website says. Derrick Simpson, a volunteer with Strong Towns Ottawa, who also serves as the transportation board chair at the Centretown Community Association, says it's been one year since the City of Ottawa spoke to the community about the Bank Street plan. 'We were really excited by that, and we haven't heard anything since,' Simpson told CTV News Ottawa. 'We figured this was a good way to get some attention and make sure that people are still thinking about this.' The city held a public open house on its plans for Bank Street in June 2024. A second public open house is planned for June 2025, according to the city's website, but the exact date and details have not yet been announced. The plan is slated to go before the Public Works and Infrastructure Committee and Council in September. Simpson said he was disappointed by the city's rejection of 24/7 bus lanes. 'We especially think that for event days, it's very important. There's only about 1,000 parking spaces in Lansdowne and the Redblacks' stadium seats around 20,000. We need other ways for people to get there and we believe the bus is the best option,' he said. 'We know OC Transpo has been struggling a lot with reliability and we think this would help get people to work faster, get people home faster, help them get to school on time, so we really think this is about reliability. It's making sure the bus shows up on time and gets you where you need to be on time.' Two routes serve Bank Street, the 6 and the 7. The 6 has frequently dealt with cancelled trips, according to statistics provided to the transit committee. On-street parking issue Strong Towns Ottawa says on-street parking is one of the main things contributing to delays on Bank Street. 'It takes up 2 full lanes, 6.6m of the 12.6m (over 50%), road. This space could much better serve those moving through, as well as those staying in the area,' the group says on its website. Simpson said this affects buses as well. 'We've had buses stuck in traffic, we've had buses waiting behind parked cars, and we think this is a great way to make sure people can arrive on time,' he said. According to data from the City of Ottawa, parking on Bank Street accounts for seven per cent of the total supply in the area. There are 143 spaces on the street out of a total supply of 2,000 spaces, including parking garages. There are 971 parking spaces at Lansdowne and another 139 in the Second Avenue garage. Parking utilization is higher in the evenings and on weekends. According to a City of Ottawa survey, nearly a third of respondents (32 per cent) said bus lanes were the most important feature for a redesign of Bank Street, while 13 per cent cited on-street parking as their most important feature. Forty-five per cent of respondents who drive to Bank Street said they'd be willing to walk between five and 10 minutes after parking to reach a destination, and 15 per cent said they'd be fine with a longer walk. Simpson says Strong Towns Ottawa volunteers will be out near the entrance to the Second Avenue parking garage between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. Saturday to meet with community members and raise awareness about the issue. The ads at the Mayfair Theatre will run until June 15. 'The community response so far has been really, really good,' said Simpson. 'We raised the funds for this in less than two hours, so we were blown away by the community response.' Details on the Bank Street Active Transportation and Transit Priority Feasibility Study can be found on Engage Ottawa.
