Rebranding Communities: Downtown Ottawa's Reality and The Journey Ahead

I commend the local business community in Ottawa for pushing to address the reputation and perception problem that downtown faces because of its reality.

For over three years, small businesses in Ottawa have endured forced closures, and permanent loss of customers.

They've seen the fallout of WFH zealotry and policies hollowing out the downtown, and experienced loyal, long-time customers now shifting their buying patterns to amazon. com, Walmart .ca, the closest Costco, and the nearest corner store.

The very businesses that bring life to our mainstreets are often on the front lines of our mental health and homelessness crisis, responding to challenges far beyond their control.

Reminds me of New York's challenge in the late 70s. The city faced a daunting reputation crisis, but instead of resigning to the decline, they came up with the iconic "I Love NY" campaign in 1977. That simple but powerful message played a huge part in revitalizing the city's image and tourism.

Similarly, with little intervention from governments or other civil society groups to rejuvenate downtown, our downtown business community in Ottawa has taken it upon themselves.

After all they've weathered since the start of the Fentanyl crisis in 2012 and the 2020 pandemic, it's commendable that instead of turning away, they've leaned in.

The transformation from Bank Street BIA to?Centretown BIA?isn't just a name change—it's an embrace of Centretown's identity and community.

But for this rebranding to truly resonate, certain actions are imperative:

-Immediate full-time return to office for City of Ottawa and Government of Canada in the downtown core.

-Amplifying art & culture.

-Bolstering law enforcement to address growing needs.

-Immediate, concrete action from political actors.

-Additional support for the business community to partner with local creatives.

-Comprehensive mental health solutions.

-A new, balanced approach to harm reduction and treatment.

The wicked problem that is the reality of our downtown will require a theory of change sustained by long term coordination between all stakeholders - not just the local business community.

Hear more on this pivotal topic in my interview with?Sandra Abma?on CBC radio's "All in a Day" with Alan Neal at this link.

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#CityRevival

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#OttawaReimagined

cc:?Ottawa Board of Trade,?Ottawa Business Journal,?Michael Curran,?Dave Sali,?OCOBIA,?Michelle Groulx,?Sueling Ching,?Business and Sports Events Ottawa,?Mckenzie Donovan,?James Bagnall