Building Analysis

Downtown Ottawa has an excellent inventory of existing commercial buildings which retain their architectural character from the late 1800s to the early 1900s. While many building facades remain in a good state, there are varying degrees of facade changes over time and varying degrees of maintenance. The following categories represent classifications created for this downtown plan document. These categories begin to identify groups of buildings to be reused, rehabilitated, maintained, and redeveloped. An analysis of the buildings in their current condition was conducted through a general walking field survey. The Physical Analysis map does not represent a detailed architectural survey. It is recommended that a more detailed survey be completed of the existing buildings to provide a more accurate classification of individual structures. See Exhibit 7.

Physical Analysis Map With Building Categories

Reuse/Reconstruct
Buildings in this category are in good condition, but are in a modern style lacking the details and architectural elements of the Victorian Era Main Street Buildings. Buildings in this classification are typically in good condition and merit consideration for interior adaptive reuse and exterior remodeling. Exterior remodeling should be done in a manner that contributes to the urban fabric of the original Ottawa Main Street facades in terms of massing, proportion and window placement.

Rehabilitate
Buildings in this category are from the Victorian Era and are in need of significant repair or restoration of architectural details that may have been removed or covered by previous attempts to modernize the facade.

Maintain
A maintained building is a building that contributes to the overall architectural fabric of Downtown Ottawa. These buildings are generally in good repair with intact historic facades. These buildings may require minor improvements and generally require ongoing maintenance.

Redevelop
The building is in poor condition, and does not contribute to the desired streetscape aesthetic. These buildings may include excess under utilized land areas. It is recommended that these buildings be replaced by new structures designed to contribute to the urban fabric of the original Ottawa Main Street facades in terms of massing proportion and window placement. These redevelopment opportunities may include buildings on individual parcels or the assembly of several parcels to create a larger redevelopment opportunity.

Parking and Open Space Analysis

The following descriptions identify existing and proposed parking lots/ structures, as well as existing and proposed parks or urban open space corridors. An analysis of the existing and future parking locations was conducted through a general walking field survey. The Physical Analysis map does not represent a detailed parking survey. It is recommended that a more detailed survey be completed for the parking needs to provide a more accurate study. See Exhibit 7.

Physical Analysis Map With Parking and Open Space Categories

Parking Lots
This category is used for the location of existing parking lots. These existing parking lots include both municipal and privately owned parcels and vary in size and shapes.

Future Parking
The future parking category is a general location for potentially new parking lots or parking structures within the downtown. If the areas that have been designated for future parking become available the city should look at purchasing these areas for parking.

Parks
The parks category shows the existing urban parks or open space areas.

Future Parks
This category shows potential locations for new urban parks, linear open spaces/trail systems or other potential open spaces.