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Glebe Report - April 2026

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Serving the Glebe community since 1973

April 10, 2026

www.glebereport.ca

ISSN 0702-7796 Vol. 54 No. 3 Issue no. 583

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What’s Inside

Rideau River water quality....................... Page 14

This site on Isabella just east of Bank has approved zoning for a 16-storey residential building with about 250 apartments, with ground-flood commercial space.

What’s the future for development along Isabella and Chamberlain Streets? By Carolyn Mackenzie

Taken together, these projects reflect a broader shift toward intensification Residents of the Glebe may not be aware along key urban corridors. While growth of development activity along the Isabrings challenges, it also creates importbella and Chamberlain street corridors ant opportunities. Adding residents in on the neighbourhood’s northern edge. this area supports local businesses, These streets form a key connection strengthens public transit and repreto Centretown and downtown and are sents a more cost-effective approach to now the focus of several development growth by making better use of existing proposals that could bring meaningful infrastructure – rather than expandchange in the coming years. ing outward and building entirely new One example is 180–200 Isabella roads, pipes and transit systems. Street, just east of Bank Street, a site The GCA continues to actively monitor currently enclosed by a chain-link these proposals, working with residents, fence. The City has approved rezoning the City and developers throughout for a 16-storey residential building with the process. While we recognize the approximately 250 new housing units, urgent need for more housing – particuprimarily one- and two-bedroom apartlarly affordable housing – we believe ments, along with some ground-floor this must be balanced with thoughtcommercial space. A site plan applicaful design, appropriate scale and meantion is now in progress. ingful improvements to the public realm The Glebe Community Association for both new and existing residents. The (GCA) has been working with both the GCA is also focused on holding the City City and the developer, Minto, to help accountable for ensuring that investensure the project delivers not only muchment in public amenities keeps pace with needed housing, but also an attractive intensification. This includes close attenaddition to what is currently a stark and tion to traffic impacts, pedestrian safety underutilized stretch of the street. and overall neighbourhood livability. To the west of Bank Street, at 30–48 A key example of needed public Chamberlain Avenue, rezoning and site investment is the proposed multi-use plan approvals are already in place for pathway along Chamberlain and Isaanother 16-storey residential building, bella, from Percy to Elgin streets. The also with commercial uses at street level. City’s early design envisions a full corAt the corner of Bank Street and Chamridor transformation, including a conberlain Avenue, a City-owned parking tinuous multi-use pathway, separation lot is in the process of being transferred from traffic, safer redesigned interto Centretown Citizens Ottawa Corporsections, reallocation of road space and ation. The goal is to develop a mid-rise stronger connections to the broader cycbuilding providing permanently affordling network. able, mixed-income housing. ExpandSuch a corridor would give residents ing housing options like this within viable alternatives to driving, helping the Glebe and nearby areas is essential to ease congestion while encouraging to maintaining a diverse and inclusive more active, everyday transportation. GMSBannerAdGRFinal.pdf 1 2019-01-24 8:43 PM community. However, although a functional design

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study was completed several years ago, the project has not advanced. It is widely understood that the City is unlikely to move forward with detailed design or construction until at least some of the adjacent development projects proceed – along with the additional tax revenue they would generate. This creates a clear link between new development and the delivery of long-promised public infrastructure. While the community has limited control over whether private developments move forward, there are opportunities to support projects that align with community priorities – and to invest in our community. In particular, the upcoming affordable housing development at Bank and Chamberlain represents a chance to both address housing needs and help build momentum for broader improvements along the corridor. As plans continue to evolve, the GCA remains committed to ensuring that community voices are heard, that new development contributes positively to the neighbourhood, and that critical projects like the active transportation corridor are advanced. By aligning growth with investment in public amenities, there is an opportunity to create a more connected, inclusive and livable corridor along Isabella and Chamberlain streets. Residents are encouraged to stay informed and engaged as these projects progress by joining the Glebe Community Association. Further updates will be shared as more details become available. Carolyn Mackenzie is chair of the GCA Planning Committee.

The last Gil’s Hootenannny.......................Page 27

Mark Your Calendars GLEBE REPORT MAY ISSUE DEADLINE....................................APRIL 20 SPRING FLING FIBRE ART SHOW........................................APRIL 24, 25 10 A.M.–4 P.M., KITCHISSIPPI UNITED CHURCH “BIG COLLECTION” RECYCLING................................................ APRIL 25 10 A.M.–2 P.M., BREWER PARK RIDEAU CHORALE CONCERT....................................................... APRIL 25 7:30 P.M., SOUTHMINSTER CHURCH EARTH DAY SERVICE..................................................................... APRIL 26 10:30 A.M., ST. MATTHEW’S CHURCH GCA BOARD MEETING..................................................................APRIL 28 7 P.M., GCC MUTCHMOR BOOK SALE..............................................APRIL 30–MAY 3 WEEKDAY 4–8 P.M., WEEKEND 10 A.M.–4 P.M., MUTCHMOR GCA PARK CLEANUP...........................................................................MAY 2 10 A.M., VARIOUS GLEBE PARKS GNAG ART SHOW OPENING NIGHT.................................................MAY 6 6–7 P.M., GCC GLEBE REPORT AGM.........................................................................MAY 13 7 P.M., GCC GNAG PERENNIAL EXCHANGE........................................................MAY 14 6:30 P.M., GCC

Index ABBOTSFORD���������������������������������������������������������������� 30 ART �������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 26 BOOKS����������������������������������������������������������������� 2, 22, 23 CRAFT���������������������������������������������������������������������������� 34 CROSSWORD ���������������������������������������������������������������� 32 EDITORIAL ���������������������������������������������������������������������� 4 ENVIRONMENT ������������������������������������������������������� 18, 19 FILM ������������������������������������������������������������������������������ 24 FOOD ����������������������������������������������������������������������� 20, 21 GLEBOUS & COMICUS ������������������������������������������������� 33 HEALTH ������������������������������������������������������������������������� 31 LANSDOWNE ������������������������������������������������������������������ 8 LETTERS�������������������������������������������������������������������������� 5 MEMOIR ������������������������������������������������������������������������ 35 MUSIC ��������������������������������������������������������������������� 27, 28 OPINION �������������������������������������������������������������������������� 7 PARKING ������������������������������������������������������������������������� 6 PARKS ����������������������������������������������������������������������������� 3 PROFILE ������������������������������������������������������������������������ 16 REPS & ORGS ������������������������������������������������������9-13, 29 RETIREMENT ���������������������������������������������������������������� 15 SCHOOLS �����������������������������������������������������������������36-38 SWIMMING ������������������������������������������������������������������� 14 THEATRE ����������������������������������������������������������������������� 25 TREES���������������������������������������������������������������������������� 17

NEXT ISSUE: Friday, May 8, 2026

EDITORIAL DEADLINE: Monday, April 20, 2026 ADVERTISING ARTWORK DEADLINE*: Wednesday, April 22, 2026 *Book ads well in advance to ensure space availability.


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