OUR CHANGING COMMUNITY Higher, denser, closer: How Ottawa’s new zoning by-law will dramatically reshape housing, streetscapes of Old Ottawa East The City’s new zoning rules boost housing density throughout our community while triggering debate over height, sunlight and neighbourhood character. JOHN DANCE After three years of public and developer “engagement,” City Council recently approved a…
One of the City’s options for the use of part of the former AVTC lands bordering Lees Avenue is to have 250 – 500 units in high-rise buildings fronting Lees with parkland immediately to the south. The land farther to the south and bordering the river would also be parkland. 160 Lees Avenue City declares…
FRIENDS OF THE MAINSTREETER 2026: Our busy Year of Community Engagement Our brand new Friends of the Mainstreeter group offers a simple way for you to show your support for local, independent journalism – but it’s just one of the exciting community engagement initiatives we’ll be unveiling during 2026. MAINSTREETER STAFF As 2025 draws…
When Brenda met Sherri… Giving, receiving, belonging: The Buy Nothing spirit in Old Ottawa East DIANNE WING Sorel boots, roof-top mounted bicycle carrier, mint green hoodie, kitchen calculator, utility sink with faucet, books, large globe ice-cube maker, wooden kitchen canisters, doll seat, projector, paint-by-number kits, candles, Bunnykins plates, red tablecloth, garden tools, vintage sewing machine….
JOHN DANCE PHOTO The Mainstreeter takes the pulse of the neighbourhood… Local residents are pleased but not fully satisfied with outcomes of the Greenfield/Main/Hawthorne project As the five-year $46.5M rebuild winds to a close, those living in the area cite major improvements in infrastructure – but traffic and design irritants remain a cause for concern…
JOHN DANCE PHOTO Citizens from across Ottawa rallied to protest the Lansdowne 2.0 plan but to no avail as the controversial project was given the green light by City Council. Pro-Lansdowne Mayor, Councillors unfazed by risk factors, debt load in approving Lansdowne 2.0 project JOHN DANCE The massive Lansdowne 2.0 (L2.0) plan is proceeding despite…
OUR OLD OTTAWA EAST NEIGHBOURS Cold comforts and warm welcomes… OOE resident John Goldsmith cruises the Northwest Passage from Nunavut to Greenland JOHN GOLDSMITH As a last-minute spousal replacement, I joined a 17-day voyage from Kugluktuk, Nunavut through the Northwest Passage to Greenland aboard the Ocean Endeavour, an Adventure Canada expedition that promised to be…
Provincial funding finally secured to finish the Au Coeur d’Ottawa school expansion Funding delays have reshaped the plans for Au Coeur School’s enrolment will more than double the student body from 224 to 489 children, but construction of new housing adjacent to the Deschâtelets Building could complicate completion of the school site JOHN DANCE…
Are they the foulest of fowl? Canada Geese thrive along Rideau River and Canal to the dismay of park users JOHN DANCE Large, remarkable and adaptable Canada Geese are becoming increasingly numerous along the Rideau River and Canal in Ottawa. Park and pathway users must dodge and step carefully when they approach the massive birds…
Former city manager calls recent support for Lansdowne 2.0 ‘over-the-top hyperbole’ Ottawa Unlimited’s open letter to the Mayor and Council cited as “…the extreme limit of exaggerated local boosterism.” DAN STANKOVIC If there was one document published so far this year that earns my award for the most over-the-top hyperbole, it would have to…
