Halifax and Kingston have sidewalk patio programs in which parking spots are given up in exchange for larger patios, contributing to more people friendly and lively areas (full description below). Could this work here in Ottawa?

In this report I speak with city staff and business leaders from Halifax and Kingston who all think highly of the program. It can’t be used anywhere mind you, but if done right, it can really transform an area.

Then I shopped it around to some local businesses, BIAs and councillors, and there was certainly a lot of interest. The only Ottawa example I could find of it already being done was Pub Italia on Preston, but that was a special pilot project for a streetscape renewal.

What is most telling is the very tentative response from city staff. It appears that parking is simply too sacred in Ottawa.

Description of sidewalk patio program:

Cafés and restaurants can apply to extend their patios onto the existing sidewalk, but they must pay for the design and installation of a new sidewalk which covers existing parking spots, and they pay rent for extra land taken by the expanded patio. It can be temporary (like in the photo above from Halifax) and be made of wood or patio stones, or permanent like in Kingston.  Here’s a full description.