COUNCIL LOOKS TO SLOW DOWN DRIVERS
Photo radar pilot project overwhelmingly approved in 20-2 vote
Ottawa will join other Ontario municipalities pressuring the province for permission to target speeders using photo radar.
In a 20-2 vote, council agreed to ask the provincial government for permission to conduct a photo radar pilot project in school zones as long as the ward’s councillor agrees. Any money collected from fines would be used to fund road safety programs.
Coun. Riley Brockington tried to persuade his council colleagues to slightly broaden the definition of school zones to include the parts of streets children use to get to school that aren’t technically marked as a school zone, but his motion failed on a 14-8 vote.
“The pilot is not as comprehensive as I would have liked it to have been, however we’ll study and measure that pilot and make decisions,” the councillor said.
Mayors in Toronto, Hamilton and York Region have all petitioned the province to make photo radar an option for tackling lead-footed drivers on city streets.
Mayor Jim Watson said he hasn’t discussed the issue with the provincial transportation minister, but he has spoken to Ottawa Centre MPP Yasir Naqvi. “The ball’s now in their court,” Watson said.
If the province ultimately grants the city’s request, it could up to a year to get a pilot project off the ground.
IN MAX’S HONOUR
Council voted to name the pedestrian and cycling bridge over Highway 417 near Coventry Road after the late broadcaster and community advocate Max Keeping.
The former CTV Ottawa news anchor helped raise more than $100 million for organizations such as the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO), Roger’s House, the United Way, the Boys and Girls Club, Operation Come Home, and the Ottawa Regional Cancer Foundation.
He was also a big supporter of local baseball, so naming the bridge after Keeping is appropriate, given its location near Raymond Chabot Grant Thornton baseball stadium on Coventry Road, the mayor said.
FUNDRAISER FOR FORT MCMURRAY
With Ottawa Senators defenceman and Fort McMurray native Chris Phillips at his side, Watson announced Ottawa4FortMac, a fundraising event on June 8 in support of Fort McMurray relief efforts.
The Aberdeen Pavilion event will include live country music, pizza, local craft beer sampling and western-themed activities such as mechanical bull rides. Tickets go on sale next week.
LIGHT RAIL TWEAKS
Council approved tweaks to the proposed route for the second phase of LRT.
The alignment of the Confederation line’s western extension was adjusted at Cleary Avenue, while the eastern extension was adjusted in the vicinity of Blair and Montreal roads.
MARKET MAKEOVER
The city is moving ahead with plans for a $1-million makeover of the ByWard Market.
Half of the money would be spent on redesigning the area outside the George Street entrance of the central ByWard Market building. The other half would help change the governance to a municipal services corporation overseeing the ByWard and Parkdale markets.
Council has freed up $100,000 in the city’s “unforeseen” expenses budget to pay for six fancy booths to be placed at either side of the George Street plaza should funds from private sponsors not materialize.
Watson wants the booths ready for Canada’s 150th birthday in 2017, since the market will be a major tourist attraction.
MORE STUDENT HOUSING SET FOR RIDEAU STREET
Council endorsed Textbook Student Suites’ plan to build two, 26-storey towers at 256 Rideau St. and 211 Besserer St., to be joined by a three-storey podium, to create 275 units intended for students. There would also be a 529-square-metre retail space on the ground floor.