Month: May 2010

cycling in Ottawa

cycling evidence

Westsideaction

We all see cycling porn shots of Holland and other European countries. A favorite is to show a gizillion bikes parked outside a train station or on a central square. This Ottawa picture is taken up close, so the whole thing is filled with a sea of parked bikes. Alas, the sea does not continue out of the frame, this is all there were. It’s a exposure of cycles, but really our bounty is modest. Next time I get into the Constitution Square garage, I will take a picture of the ever-increasing size of the popular indoor cycle parking garage … Continue reading cycling evidence

condos, hintonburg, west wellington5 Comments

Boys Toys

Westsideaction

It’s a bird … a plane … a dragonfly … It’s Heli-Go, the photographer disguised as a helicopter. Remote controlled, it was taking pictures from above the new Domicile condo site at the corner of Holland and West Wellington. Inside the operators van was a huge flatscreen TV so the operator could see what pictures he was getting, real time. The operator with the plastic nose cone taken off. The camera is suspended below the skids, and could be rotated and angled via remote control. When flying, the legs and foam base of the copter retract up and horizontal to … Continue reading Boys Toys

condos, hintonburg, west wellington

Boys Toys

Westsideaction

It’s a bird … a plane … a dragonfly … It’s Heli-Go, the photographer disguised as a helicopter. Remote controlled, it was taking pictures from above the new Domicile condo site at the corner of Holland and West Wellington. Inside the operators van was a huge flatscreen TV so the operator could see what pictures he was getting, real time. The operator with the plastic nose cone taken off. The camera is suspended below the skids, and could be rotated and angled via remote control. When flying, the legs and foam base of the copter retract up and horizontal to … Continue reading Boys Toys

Dalhousie, somerset street, streetscaping

Flower Power

Westsideaction

The Dalhousie Community Assoc. installed and maintains the garden in front of the Dalhousie Community Centre (shown in the background) on Somerset street (thanks to Ida the gardener!) There is a constant stream of people passing the garden who pause to admire it. It brings a smile to so many people. Flower power builds communities. When the photographer turned around, she saw me taking a picture of her taking a picture. When I turned, I saw her friends taking a picture of me taking a picture of her. This is what we saw: The tulip festival in Ottawa starts today. Continue reading Flower Power

Dalhousie, somerset street, streetscaping

Flower Power

Westsideaction

The Dalhousie Community Assoc. installed and maintains the garden in front of the Dalhousie Community Centre (shown in the background) on Somerset street (thanks to Ida the gardener!) There is a constant stream of people passing the garden who pause to admire it. It brings a smile to so many people. Flower power builds communities. When the photographer turned around, she saw me taking a picture of her taking a picture. When I turned, I saw her friends taking a picture of me taking a picture of her. This is what we saw: The tulip festival in Ottawa starts today. Continue reading Flower Power

Preston street, Primrose6 Comments

Mack sees Bell

Westsideaction

This particular cement truck is often to be found on Preston Street. Mr Simpson on the front grill makes the truck distinctive. When walking on West Wellie near Holland, I met him there too. Busy man. He is going to continue to be a familiar sight on Preston near Primrose. Bell has decided that since the street has been reconstructed, the sidewalks put in place, the landscaping done … they are now going to dig up the above intersection and put in an underground vault or chamber. Not content with digging up the corner for three weeks, they are then … Continue reading Mack sees Bell

Preston street, Primrose

Mack sees Bell

Westsideaction

This particular cement truck is often to be found on Preston Street. Mr Simpson on the front grill makes the truck distinctive. When walking on West Wellie near Holland, I met him there too. Busy man. He is going to continue to be a familiar sight on Preston near Primrose. Bell has decided that since the street has been reconstructed, the sidewalks put in place, the landscaping done … they are now going to dig up the above intersection and put in an underground vault or chamber. Not content with digging up the corner for three weeks, they are then … Continue reading Mack sees Bell

DOTT, LRT4 Comments

Boring Life downtown

Westsideaction

Worked started on Monday doing test bore holes for the new Downtown Ottawa Transit Tunnel (DOTT). Hopefully, the cost won’t be wasted if the anti-tunnel Watson gets elected mayor. The first bore hole is on the park just below the Juliana Apt building near the corner of Queen/Bronson/Hill Street. Each hole boring takes one to two days. While drilling, the crew takes rock samples to ensure what is deep under the downtown is what geologists currently expect to be there. The drilled hole will be capped off with a removable lid, but the hole underneath remains, and will have monitoring … Continue reading Boring Life downtown

DOTT, LRT

Boring Life downtown

Westsideaction

Worked started on Monday doing test bore holes for the new Downtown Ottawa Transit Tunnel (DOTT). Hopefully, the cost won’t be wasted if the anti-tunnel Watson gets elected mayor. The first bore hole is on the park just below the Juliana Apt building near the corner of Queen/Bronson/Hill Street. Each hole boring takes one to two days. While drilling, the crew takes rock samples to ensure what is deep under the downtown is what geologists currently expect to be there. The drilled hole will be capped off with a removable lid, but the hole underneath remains, and will have monitoring … Continue reading Boring Life downtown

Preston street, streetscaping, west wellington

Tree planting excitement

Westsideaction

double click to enlarge For some time now, spring tree and shrub planting has been going on along West Wellie and Preston streets. It seems every day reveals a tree or shrub bed somewhere new. Shown above is the supply dump for the trees and shrubs being installed on Preston between Albert and Somerset. It is incredibly exciting to see the greening occur, especially since in the case of Preston the streetscaping process has been going on for more than sixteen years before big results finally appeared on the ground. But it was worth it! A few of the trees … Continue reading Tree planting excitement

Preston street, streetscaping, west wellington

Tree planting excitement

Westsideaction

double click to enlarge For some time now, spring tree and shrub planting has been going on along West Wellie and Preston streets. It seems every day reveals a tree or shrub bed somewhere new. Shown above is the supply dump for the trees and shrubs being installed on Preston between Albert and Somerset. It is incredibly exciting to see the greening occur, especially since in the case of Preston the streetscaping process has been going on for more than sixteen years before big results finally appeared on the ground. But it was worth it! A few of the trees … Continue reading Tree planting excitement

streetscaping, west wellington2 Comments

More sidewalk patio issues

Westsideaction

The former Melrose groceteria (now there’s a word we don’t use much any more…) will become a gourmet pizza establishment. The owners are looking for a way to have some outdoor patio. The front sidewalk area is tight, but I think it is doable. But do the new owners want their gourmands dining beside the tavern entrance? They proposed a patio at the back of the building (but I gather, not the side …). They are opposed by the local neighborhood association representing neighbors who feel the back yard patio will be noisy for their adjacent houses. The Assoc. suggested … Continue reading More sidewalk patio issues

streetscaping, west wellington

More sidewalk patio issues

Westsideaction

The former Melrose groceteria (now there’s a word we don’t use much any more…) will become a gourmet pizza establishment. The owners are looking for a way to have some outdoor patio. The front sidewalk area is tight, but I think it is doable. But do the new owners want their gourmands dining beside the tavern entrance? They proposed a patio at the back of the building (but I gather, not the side …). They are opposed by the local neighborhood association representing neighbors who feel the back yard patio will be noisy for their adjacent houses. The Assoc. suggested … Continue reading More sidewalk patio issues

Bayview, cycling in Ottawa1 Comment

Driving in Circles

Westsideaction

A traffic circle is being installed at the intersection of Bayview/Burnside/River Street, in the Bayview Yards area, between Larouche Park and the old city sewer works yards that back onto the Ottawa River Parkway and Lemieux Island. I am hoping the centre of the circle will be planted with trees. Pedestrian crossings are on the ‘straight stretches’ a few meters outside the circle and permit peds to cross the street one lane at a time taking refuge on the triangular islands. Only three streets arrive at the circle, sort of like a Y. Each street is only one lane, so … Continue reading Driving in Circles

LeBreton Flats, NCC, ottawa river

Navy Monument Sod Turning

Westsideaction

2010 is the 100th anniversary of the Royal Canadian Navy. This accounts for all the banners and display panels on Confederation Boulevard and down by the war memorial. A monument is being errected to this anniversary at Richmond Landing, the original origin point of Richmond Road, at the Ottawa River below Chaudiere Falls where the Bronson Creek/Tailrace/Kayak course enters into the Ottawa River. The banners behind the tent are some of the ones decorating Confederation Boulevard. There was a large collection of navy-types there. I haven’t seen this many navy uniforms in decades (a navy brat, I grew up down … Continue reading Navy Monument Sod Turning

Chinatown, somerset street, streetscaping2 Comments

The friendly streets of west side Ottawa

Westsideaction

Outside this never-quite-finished rona-vating house, an impromtu living room has appeared on the city boulevard. Your seating choice: floral sofa … or mod leather armchair? Or mid-century modern plastic chairs set out especially for Robert? The pink carpet marks the residents as breast-cancer savy. There are even coffee tables for your … coffee, sometimes served in unique stubby brown glass cups. I love it, if only because it would never work in Orleans or Barrhaven. Now, to wander down one block . . . In contrast to the informal sidewalk enhancement on Cambridge, is this corner lot at Somerset/Bell. The manufactured stone … Continue reading The friendly streets of west side Ottawa

Bayview, cycling in Ottawa

Driving in Circles

Westsideaction

A traffic circle is being installed at the intersection of Bayview/Burnside/River Street, in the Bayview Yards area, between Larouche Park and the old city sewer works yards that back onto the Ottawa River Parkway and Lemieux Island. I am hoping the centre of the circle will be planted with trees. Pedestrian crossings are on the ‘straight stretches’ a few meters outside the circle and permit peds to cross the street one lane at a time taking refuge on the triangular islands. Only three streets arrive at the circle, sort of like a Y. Each street is only one lane, so … Continue reading Driving in Circles

LeBreton Flats, NCC, ottawa river

Navy Monument Sod Turning

Westsideaction

2010 is the 100th anniversary of the Royal Canadian Navy. This accounts for all the banners and display panels on Confederation Boulevard and down by the war memorial. A monument is being errected to this anniversary at Richmond Landing, the original origin point of Richmond Road, at the Ottawa River below Chaudiere Falls where the Bronson Creek/Tailrace/Kayak course enters into the Ottawa River. The banners behind the tent are some of the ones decorating Confederation Boulevard. There was a large collection of navy-types there. I haven’t seen this many navy uniforms in decades (a navy brat, I grew up down … Continue reading Navy Monument Sod Turning

Lisgar Street, streetscaping

Fence me in…

Westsideaction

Along Lisgar Street, this condo association is widening the sidewalk by about two feet with their own paving of small cobbles. They have also installed a manufactured rustic stone curb about 6″ high which will protect the garden area from wandering feet and parked cycles. Here is the new pavers at the front condo entrance. A little bit further along the street, is this new front yard landscaping: The brick pavers are more formal. The new fence is attractive, but also quite high. The situation is different from the first condo, as there is a thriving row of foundation shrubs … Continue reading Fence me in…

Chinatown, somerset street, streetscaping

The friendly streets of west side Ottawa

Westsideaction

Outside this never-quite-finished rona-vating house, an impromtu living room has appeared on the city boulevard. Your seating choice: floral sofa … or mod leather armchair? Or mid-century modern plastic chairs set out especially for Robert? The pink carpet marks the residents as breast-cancer savy. There are even coffee tables for your … coffee, sometimes served in unique stubby brown glass cups. I love it, if only because it would never work in Orleans or Barrhaven. Now, to wander down one block . . . In contrast to the informal sidewalk enhancement on Cambridge, is this corner lot at Somerset/Bell. The manufactured stone … Continue reading The friendly streets of west side Ottawa

Lisgar Street, streetscaping

Fence me in…

Westsideaction

Along Lisgar Street, this condo association is widening the sidewalk by about two feet with their own paving of small cobbles. They have also installed a manufactured rustic stone curb about 6″ high which will protect the garden area from wandering feet and parked cycles. Here is the new pavers at the front condo entrance. A little bit further along the street, is this new front yard landscaping: The brick pavers are more formal. The new fence is attractive, but also quite high. The situation is different from the first condo, as there is a thriving row of foundation shrubs … Continue reading Fence me in…

Preston street, streetscaping4 Comments

Sidewalk Life, Sidewalk Patios

Westsideaction

One of the key arguments the Preston BIA made for wider sidewalks throughout its territory was to permit sidewalk patios. These enliven the streets, put people on the sidewalks for hours at a time, and promote the sort of spontaneous interactions that make city life enjoyable and that are simply not possible in drive-everywhere-by-car “suburban” lifestyles. Much of Preston Street is predominately commercial in flavour, especially to the south end. Residences are still scattered amongst the businesses, and upstairs “above the store”.  But in the north end of the street, it is predominantly residential at ground floor and above, with … Continue reading Sidewalk Life, Sidewalk Patios

somerset street, streetscaping, west wellington2 Comments

Reclaiming the corner

Westsideaction

Do you recognize the above corner? If you are a west side pedestrian or cyclist, or maybe a No 2 bus user, the likely answer is yes (motorists should not recognize it — your eyes are supposed to be on the road!). It’s at the corner of Bayswater and Somerset, northwest side, where Bayswater starts to suddenly go downhill (elevation speaking, not quality wise). Behind the green picket fence is an amazing ever-changing collection of . . . stuff. Gnomes, flower pots, a yapping dog that escorts pedestrians past the fence, a patio … all seem to me to made … Continue reading Reclaiming the corner