Bob's Vision

Bob Chiarelli Delivers East End Ten-Point Economic Development Plan

OTTAWA, October 19, 2006 – Today, Mayor Bob Chiarelli announced his plan to enhance economic development in the East End, which encompasses all land east of the Rideau River.

Mayor Chiarelli emphasized the unique nature of the East End and invited both Francophone and Anglophone business leaders to work with him in developing Ottawa East. “We have made a lot of progress already and I’m excited about what’s ahead for the East End,” said Mayor Chiarelli.
In the last year, according to a report by the Corporate Research Group, job growth in Ottawa is the strongest of all major Canadian cities, surpassing even Calgary. This translates to over 35, 000 net new jobs in the last year (full and part-time). It is anticipated that Ottawa’s East Urban Community will grow by 45,000 jobs by 2021. (Transportation Committee Report Agenda 44.2)
To further strengthen economic activity in the East End, Mayor Chiarelli proposes a ten point plan to help make the East End an even better place to live, work and play.

Mayor Chiarelli will:

• Cut development charges and building permit fees for non-residential and non-retail development for a two-year period to encourage businesses to locate in the East End;
• Develop a plan, with input from business and the community, for Ottawa East that takes into account and promotes the unique character of the Anglophone and Francophone communities;
• Construct a new Innes/Walkley/Hunt Club Road link in 2007 which will be part of an East-West artery to bypass downtown.
• Obtain funding for the Orleans to Kanata LRT, which will further reduce traffic congestion and promote economic growth in the East End;
• Expand the environmental assessment process for East-West LRT to include conversion of the transit way for light rail;
• Fight to have highway 174 widened all the way to Trim Road and undertake a joint partnership with  the Mayor of Rockland to look into the extension from Trim Road to Rockland;
• Build on the success of the Orleans Arts and Town Centre Development by making it a hub of economic development for the community;
• Commit to improving public transit by expanding the new 90 series bus routes, maintaining express bus service, and building a new Transitway Station on Jeanne d’Arc Blvd;
• Establish a “Heart of Orleans” BIA along St Joseph Boulevard;
• Appoint a staff person in the Mayor’s Office who will be responsible for driving economic development in the East End.

In 2004, Mayor Chiarelli co-founded Team Ottawa-Orleans to bring the business community and the City together to develop a concrete strategy to enhance job creation in the East End. Mayor Chiarelli has aggressively lobbied both the provincial and federal government to make job creation a priority in the East-End  

“I’m especially proud of the $220 million Orleans Arts and Town Centre Development and how it will serve as the cornerstone of economic growth for the East End for years to come,” said Bob Chiarelli. Additionally, there will be $75 million in direct and indirect economic benefit to the local economy during construction, bringing the total value of the project to $300 million.

“The Arts and Town centre could not have happened under Alex Munter because it is a public-private partnership (P3), and he refuses to make use of innovative joint ventures of this kind,” commented Chiarelli. P3s have leveraged more than $140 million in private sector funding since 2001 and made possible countless arts and recreation centres across the City.

Alongside the 400,000 square feet of new office, hotel, retail, recreation and art centre space there will be over 500 new dwellings, including 51 affordable housing units, 140 seniors condos and 100 retirement home residences, all served by public transit.  People living here will be able to live, work and play right in the East End.

Mayor Chiarelli recently gained funding from the province to widen the Highway 417/174 split and streamline traffic flows. Construction is already budgeted and scheduled to begin this fall. Mayor Chiarelli initiated the first phase of work to help fix the split to help alleviate the gridlock now being experienced by East-end commuters.
Public transit has been improved by increasing the number of direct to downtown express routes to and from Orleans. Transit riders who now use bus stops on minor collector roads in the East End will still have service available on local bus routes connecting with rapid transit lines at hub stations; these local bus routes will themselves be more frequent. Under Mayor Chiarelli’s leadership, the City built the Trim Road Park & Ride to encourage drivers to take public transit and improve traffic congestion.
The City of Ottawa has worked to continually improve funding to its 12 Business Improvement Areas (BIA). Recently, these BIAs received an increase in funding of $180,000. Mayor Chiarelli has been working hard to establish a “Heart of Orleans” BIA.
In terms of the retail market there has been a growth of retail development in Orleans – including Smart Centres, Trinity Crossing, Cumberland Crossing which together have added over 915,000 square feet to this market. That is an increase of 42% since the fall of 2004.  The new Orleans Wal-Mart is already looking at expansion and a new Wal-Mart, Loew’s and Sobeys are coming soon.
On November 13th, vote for a Mayor who delivers – vote Bob Chiarelli.

Three Point Plan for St. Joseph Blvd. in Orleans

OTTAWA, October 18, 2006 – Today, Mayor Chiarelli announced his three point plan to improve St. Joseph Boulevard in Orleans. This plan is part of the Mayor’s continued commitment to beautify St. Joseph and create an attractive environment where people will work, shop and dine in their own neighbourhood.

• First, Mayor Chiarelli will direct Hydro Ottawa to bury the overhead wires on St. Joseph Boulevard.
• Second, the Mayor will act to rezone segments of St. Joseph Boulevard to encourage development and redevelopment along certain portions of the street.
• Third, financial and tax related incentives will be introduced to encourage private investment through a community improvement plan (CIP).

Designated as a “main street” in the City’s Official Plan, St. Joseph is more than a transportation corridor or a home for businesses in Orleans—it is a source of community pride. “We’ve completed significant streetscape improvements over the last few years, including   the ductwork for the l burial of the overhead wires, now it’s time to finish the job,” said Chiarelli.

“Our current zoning is preventing existing businesses from expanding and inhibiting the establishment of new businesses.  Removing these barriers to growth will encourage more economic activity,” added the Mayor.

Mayor Chiarelli discussed the work being done by Team Ottawa-Orleans, which he co-founded, to bring the business community together with the City and the other levels of government to enhance job creation in the East End. For example, the City is working with local businesses to form a new Business Improvement Area (BIA) to increase jobs and economic activity in the “heart of Orleans.”

As Mayor, Bob Chiarelli will continue to encourage businesses to locate on St. Joseph and to promote the unique character of this important commercial hub.

Part of Mayor Chiarelli’s plan is to continue to enhance St. Joseph Boulevard to encourage businesses development in the East End.

“Last year the street was resurfaced, sidewalks and curbs repaired and new sod was laid. With the overhead wires finally buried, the future Orleans BIA can focus its energies on economic development, which is something we all want more of for the East End,” said Bob Chiarelli.

Mayor Chiarelli has a strong record of accomplishment in the East End. The widening of Innis Road has been completed. The Trim Road Park-and-Ride is now built. And the new Cumberland Market is a resounding success.  These are just a few of the many successes Mayor Chiarelli has fought for knowing the difference they make in the every day lives of our East End residents. 

On November 13th, you have a choice. Vote for a Mayor who delivers. Vote Bob Chiarelli.

 

Archive

• Taxes
• Development of St. Joseph Blvd.
• Ten point East-End plan
• Rural bike paths
• Promoting soccer
• More police in schools
• Secured funding for School Breakfast programs
• Seven-steps to improve neighbourhood safety
• Creating a community green space

 

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