Business
This liason represents the interests of the Glebe Business Improvement Area at GCA meetings.
Glebe BIA Press Release
August 31, 2009 For immediate release
Market Research Highlights Appeal and Strengths of Glebe Business District and Potential Threats of Bank Street Reconstruction and Lansdowne Park Redevelopment
Ottawa, ON - The Glebe Business Improvement Area (BIA), Ottawa's newest BIA, recently commissioned a Market and Development Analysis to inform its strategic planning and its input to the proposed redevelopment of Lansdowne Park, which is situated within its boundaries. The analysis is being conducted by Market Research Corporation under the direction of Barry Nabatian, a reputed independent local firm and analyst, with funding support from the City of Ottawa.
Market Research Corporation (MRC) has completed the initial survey work, including 404 telephone surveys of National Capital Region (NCR) households, 404 on-street surveys in the Glebe and interviews of 10 commercial property and business owners in the Glebe BIA. The number of NCR respondents who confirmed they shopped or obtained services in the Glebe was 39.1%, which is quite high. MRC has also completed a preliminary assessment of the additional commercial space that can be supported in the Glebe.
The consultant's interim conclusions and recommendations are attached. Key findings include:
Respondents like the scale, charm and atmosphere of the Glebe and the variety of businesses, especially the fact that many of them are unique and independently owned/operated;
The parking shortage, parking costs and traffic congestion on the one hand; and competition from shopping centres and especially from the large new-format stores (e.g., Canadian Tire, Loblaws, Wal Mart, Costco) have increasingly become major problems for Glebe businesses;
In order for Glebe businesses to retain their present market share, they must be able to better serve the local trade area residents for daily and weekly shopping, as well as the residents of the rest of the city for their shopping needs at specialty, novelty and unique stores and services;
The Glebe businesses, however, are severely threatened by two expected events in addition to the existing parking and congestion problems: the Reconstruction/Renovation of Bank Street and the anticipated OSEG "Lansdowne Live" Proposal;
Though they have differing views on the mix of uses they would like to see at Lansdowne Park, both local trade area and Ottawa residents would not like to see condominiums, apartments and large/box/chain retail development there;
The maximum capacity for additional supportable commercial space within the Glebe BIA, including Lansdowne Park, is recommended to be up to 36,200 sq. ft. during the next three years (up to 60,400 sq. ft. during the next five years, including the 36,200); and
Assuming any redevelopment of Lansdowne Park would include a mix of uses, it is recommended that retail development be phased in such a way that most of it can be postponed to after the year 2012 when the Bank Street reconstruction has been completed.
"The consultant's preliminary findings showcase the strengths of our Glebe businesses, but also highlight how vulnerable we are. It's critical that we ensure we have a sustainable amount of new commercial development in the Glebe and that parking and congestion problems aren't made any worse," said Glebe BIA Chair Greg Best.
"It's imperative that the City ensures the proper redevelopment of Bank Street and Lansdowne Park in the Glebe," said Barry Nabatian, General Manager of Market Research Corporation. "To do otherwise, could have a devastating impact on one of Ottawa's most vibrant, long-standing, independent business districts."
"We want to work with the City of Ottawa to ensure that any redevelopment of Lansdowne Park will respect and complement the strengths of the Glebe business district," said Glebe BIA Executive Director, Catherine Lindquist.
For further information contact:
Catherine Lindquist
Executive Director, Glebe BIA
613 769-4709
catherine.lindquist@rogers.com