Hi neighbour,
Hope you all had a great week! As always, there’s lots on the go in our office, so let’s get right to it.
Stage 2 Construction News: Upcoming Closure of the Intersection at Woodroffe/Richmond
I want to address an update from the Stage 2 construction team that was shared directly with the residents of Woodroffe North earlier this week. In a briefing with Stage 2 last week, my office was advised that in order to complete the underground utility replacement that started last year, the Stage 2 team will again be closing Woodroffe Ave between Richmond Road and Deschênes Street.
When this road was reopened at the end of last year, KEV (the LRT contractor) had originally shared that any future closures would be intermittent. In evaluating the scope of the work needed and the project timelines, they are now recommending a full closure, from the end of March to Fall 2026.
I share residents and local business’ frustration with this ongoing closure, and am angry and disappointed that it differs from what was shared with my office, and with residents, at the end of last year. In my briefing with Stage 2, we looked at alternatives to a full closure. I was told that due to the location of the utilities that need replacing, there were no viable alternatives.
I have also reached out to senior leadership at OC Transpo and Stage 2 to share my concerns, and to point out the lack of consideration for the impact that these continued long-term closures have on residents and businesses in the area.
The Stage 2 team is committed to working with residents and businesses to mitigate disruptions caused by this closure, and I encourage residents to share their feedback and concerns with the Stage 2 team (Stage2@ottawa.ca), while also keeping my office in the loop (bayward@ottawa.ca).
Updates from City Hall: Improved support for people experiencing homelessness, 2026 Day of Observance for COVID-19 pandemic
At Tuesday’s Community Services Committee meeting, we approved a redesigned Unsheltered Homelessness Outreach Model, with the aim of creating a more coordinated and consistent system for supporting people experiencing unsheltered homelessness across Ottawa. I was happy to support this new model, developed through engagement with community partners, service providers, and people with lived experiences in homelessness.
A more coordinated approach to outreach, including tracking key outcomes like the number of people housed, and service responsiveness, will ensure that some of our city’s most vulnerable residents can more easily access the supports they need.
At Council on Wednesday, I brought forward a motion for the City to observe the 6th Annual National Day of Observance for the COVID-19 Pandemic on March 11, 2026. I’m thankful to my colleague Councillor Kitts for seconding the motion as chair of the Board for Ottawa Public Health, and for all of Council for supporting this motion to continue to recognize the victims of the pandemic, and the tireless work of frontline workers at Ottawa Public Health, as well as health and social service agencies who continue to support residents across the City.
Development in Bay Ward: City receives Site Plan Application for 30 Cleary
The City has reveived a Site Plan Control application to construct 2 residential apartment buildings (6 and 16-storey), with 229 units at 30 Cleary Ave. You can check out more details on the development and share your input on devapps. Comments are due by March 27, 2026.
Reminder: Join me for the Coldest Night of the Year on February 28!
This Saturday, I’ll be joining neighbours in Westboro for the Coldest Night of the Year in support of Cornerstone Housing for Women. This is a wonderful event for a very worthy cause. You can sign up to participate in the walk, or contribute to Cornerstone Housing on the website here. Hope to see you there!
Read the full newsletter for more news and events across Bay Ward.
