Understanding all the complex factors that shape the neighbourhoods of Ottawa would require a graduate degree in urban geography, however, an influential historical plan and famous French town planner can be used as a starting point to better understand the urban form of Ottawa. Before 1950, Ottawa developed what can be characterized as a laissez-faire system that led to competing […]
Planning for the future takes time. Things like building new transit, housing, parks, and transportation infrastructure go through multi-year budgeting and construction processes that can be difficult for the average person to keep up with. So it’s no surprise that for the first two years of BSKC’s existence, not much has visibly changed at South Keys Centre. But buckle up and get ready, because there are a lot of exciting things coming in 2024.
The Better South Keys Centre (BSKC) group has been hard at work progressing the vision for the Greenboro Pathway Missing Link and so we wanted to give an update.
That’s why we were thrilled when Councillor Bradley of Ward 10 – Gloucester-Southgate, the councillor for South Keys, reached out to us with an idea to show Mayor Sutcliffe the redevelopment area firsthand.
“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed, citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.” ― Margaret Mead
The proposed widening of the Airport Parkway has been one we’ve been following and attending meetings on for some time now, but with the recent City of Ottawa budget, there is a lot of focus on it currently. While some people hear the plans and think it will help alleviate traffic, it’s much more complex than that.
We asked those running for city councillor for Ward 10 – Gloucester-Southgate to answer a few questions pertaining to the redevelopment of South Keys Centre.
Perhaps the most important element of the transformation of South Keys Centre is the OC Transpo O-Train Line 2 expansion project currently underway. While the former Line 2 (“Trillium Line”) ended at Greenboro, after construction is completed next year the line will run to Barrhaven, with several new stations along the way, including at South Keys.
The City of Ottawa is proposing significant changes to the busy intersection of Bank and Hunt Club bordering South Keys Centre, and Better South Keys Centre has been excited to be a stakeholder in the process. While the project was initially proposed from the perspective of adding vehicle capacity, we would like this significant investment in our community to instead support more comfortable walking, cycling, and transit use.
Sometimes the best way to learn about a place is by using your own two feet and walking it. In this spirit, our Executive Director Matt Pinder recently joined Hans Moor, former President of Bike Ottawa and author of the blog HansontheBike.com, for a walking tour of South Keys Centre.