Canadian Urban Institute Supports the Revitalization of Ottawa’s Little Italy
Canadian Urban Institute Supports the Revitalization of Ottawa’s Little Italy through the My Main Street Community Activator Placemaking Program
AUGUST 31, 2022
The Preston Street BIA is pleased to announce that the “Corso Italia: Revitalized” community project was selected for the My Main Street Community Activator program and has received funding to revitalize the community landscape of Ottawa’s Little Italy.
Through the Government of Canada’s My Main Street Community Activator, delivered by the Canadian Urban Institute (CUI), Little Italy will enjoy a more vibrant neighbourhood setting that will draw visitors and increase foot traffic to local businesses and exciting new public spaces. The Preston Street BIA is supported by My Main Street—a two-year, $23.25-million investment by the Government of Canada through the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario), delivered by CUI and the Economic Developers Council of Ontario (EDCO).
“Our government is committed to helping communities bring their main streets back to life,” says the Honorable Helena Jaczek, Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario). “My Main Street is providing vital support to projects that will reanimate neighbourhoods through installations, events and activities that are inclusive, innovative and engaging to create jobs and drive economic growth for local economies.”
Little Italy is renowned across Ottawa for its charming European feel, with over 200 small businesses that range from authentic Italian ristorantes to refined boutiques. The goal of this project was, and continues to be, to restore Little Italy, along with other commercial main streets in Ottawa’s downtown core, following the pandemic. According to the PSBIA, a large focus of this project has been to ensure a vibrant tourism season for 2022, which included the return of the Ottawa Italian Festival, The Tulip Festival and other local events. “Creating a bright and welcoming neighbourhood for the community to rediscover has been, and continues to be, a main objective of this project,” says PSBIA Executive Director, Lindsay Childerhose.
The project began in March of 2022 and will continue until the end of the year. Repairing local landmarks, restoring public spaces, beautification through public artwork, and animation of the street through programming and community events, are among the many initiatives being undertaken as part of the revitalization project.
Antonella Ceglia, Chair of the Preston Street BIA Board of Directors, is optimistic about the program and says that BIA members have already reaped the benefits of initiatives undertaken as part of “Corso Italia: Revitalized”.
“Following two years of economic uncertainty during the pandemic, we look forward to bringing our main street community back to life through this project, funded by the CUI. We invite the community to rediscover Ottawa’s Little Italy and its unique offerings, while exploring the street improvements made possible by this incredible opportunity.”
About the Canadian Urban Institute
The Canadian Urban Institute is the national platform that houses the best in Canadian city building — where policymakers, urban professionals, civic and business leaders, community activists and academics can learn, share and collaborate with one another from coast to coast to coast. Through research, engagement and storytelling, our mission is to ensure Canada builds vibrant, equitable, liveable and resilient cities. Follow us on Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn.
For more than 12 years, the Government of Canada, through FedDev Ontario, has worked to advance and diversify the southern Ontario economy through funding opportunities and business services that support innovation, job creation and growth in Canada’s most populous region. The Agency has delivered impressive results, which can be seen in southern Ontario businesses that are creating innovative technologies, improving their productivity, growing their revenues, and in the economic advancement of communities across the region. Learn more about the impacts the Agency is having in southern Ontario by exploring our pivotal projects, our Southern Ontario Spotlight, and FedDev Ontario’s Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.