Wellington Oracle

This update from the West Wellington Business Improvement Area has good news for the residents and businesses of Wellington Street West in Hintonburg:

It’s official, we’re home to the hardest rock in the city!

Does that mean we have more heavy metal bands per capita than other neighbourhoods? Well, we do have plenty of great local bands (and cool venues to hear them in like Elmdale House Tavern, Daniel O’Connell’s Pub and The Carleton) but it’s the rock beneath our feet – and beneath our street – that is so hard. And it’s the rock – as opposed to the sandy subsoil that can be found in many other parts of the city – that has made Phase 2 of the Wellington Street West Road Reconstruction Project such an enormous effort.

This ‘rocky’ aspect of the project was explained to local business owners and residents by City of Ottawa project manager Max Ross at a “Construction Update” meeting held August 27th at Hintonburg Community Centre. Ross noted the challenges of the project and outlined the progress of this summer’s construction, which at 1400 metres is the longest stretch of roadway the City has ever attempted to rebuild in one season.

Physical conditions combined with the rainy summer made the project very difficult. Fortunately, however, they have not significantly delayed the contractor’s schedule. Ottawa Greenbelt still plans to reopen Wellington St W to 2-way traffic by November 15, 2009 . This is welcome news for local businesses and residents!

As was the case with Phase 1 (Western Ave east to Parkdale) the sidewalks in Phase 2 (Parkdale east to Bayview) will be resurfaced with asphalt this fall, and only next year will the interlocking paving stones be installed. Crews will start as soon as the ground thaws and work is slated to be completed by June 30, 2010. Landscaping and installation of benches will occur next Spring as well.

Businesses and property owners at the meeting also heard some other good news – Wellington West BIA has had a solid response to its new “Live Local! Love Local! Shop Local!” promotional contest, designed to support local merchants affected by the road reconstruction. The campaign gives shoppers a chance to win one of ten gift certificates each month. All they have to do to enter is drop off a postcard with their name and contact info at the Hintonburg Community Centre.

The “Live Local! Love Local! Shop Local!” campaign encourages people to celebrate their favourite local shops and to look for extra opportunities to shop there. After all, our many independent business owners play a vital role in our community, providing jobs, goods and services and security as well.

Please continue to shop locally to strengthen our local economy and our community

Congratulations to the first round of “Live Local! Love Local! Shop Local!” winners: Lisa P, Ron P, Beth H, Jayne V, Ted K, Tasha C, Geoffrey B, Geoff M, Sandrine M, and Belinda C each won a gift certificate to one of these local shops:
Hino’s Restaurant, Helen’s Cuisine Melrose Grocery, Cozy’s Family Restaurant, Elmdale House, Celebrity Hair, Character Salon, Merge, Wabi Sabi, Fab Gear 64 and Heavens to Betsy.

Keep entering to win! Postcard raffle tickets are available at Hintonburg shops and services.