Benches Add a Pop of Italian Pride to Preston Street

If you walk down Preston Street this summer, you might notice a colourful new addition to the sidewalks. The City of Ottawa, in partnership with the Preston Street BIA (PSBIA), has installed a series of green, white, and red benches—the colours of both the Italian flag and the BIA’s branding. The new tri-colour seating adds a cheerful, distinctive touch to the neighbourhood while offering visitors and locals a place to rest, relax, and take in the atmosphere of Little Italy.

Since its founding in 1986, the mandate of the Preston Street BIA has been to promote, beautify, animate, and advocate for the Little Italy area. These new benches are just one of many ways the BIA helps maintain and enhance the public realm. In addition to this latest project, the BIA also maintains the decorative tree lights on Preston Street, manages seasonal banner flags, commissions and maintains public art, and coordinates graffiti removal to keep the area clean and welcoming.

These ongoing efforts help create a vibrant, attractive main street that supports local businesses and brings the community together. Whether you're grabbing gelato, meeting friends for dinner, or simply passing through, the new colourful benches offer a welcoming spot to take in the charm of Preston Street.