Its time to renew Merivale Road
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Oct 13, OTTAWA - James O’Grady, registered candidate for Ottawa City Council in Ward 9: Knoxdale-Merivale, released today his seven-point proposal to renew Merivale Road and turn it back into a ‘Main Street’ destination.
O’Grady’s proposal to renew Merivale Road is based on a new citizen-centred approach to urban planning. One that can help turn Merivale back into a destination—enhancing the commercial district by encouraging people to walk, cycle, and take public transportation in addition to driving.
“Perpetual traffic congestion is hampering local business”, O’Grady says. Vast parking lots with no designated walking or cycling paths and a general lack of community space have turned Merivale Road away from the original role of Nepean’s ‘Main Street’. “Its difficult to go anywhere on Merivale Road without driving,” O’Grady says. “Even local residents need to drive to get from their homes to one location or another. The traffic congestion is so bad now that businesses are starting to complain traffic congestion is costing them business.”
Local residents walk through open fields and on dirt paths to get where they are going. Mothers push strollers through parking lots. “Merivale Road is not a people-friendly place,” O’Grady says. “In the Community Open Houses my campaign has been hosting this Fall, residents of Fisher Heights—Skyline, Tanglewood and the communities of General Burns have expressed an interest to see Merivale Road become a meeting place for friends and families to gather and enjoy entertainment, sports and recreational activities. Its time to renew Merivale Road and put some fun back into it!”
O’Grady’s proposal marries business and economic development initiatives with the need to enhance residents' quality of life by providing real community spaces like a public square, indoor and outdoor theatres, and recreation and sports facilities. “Merivale Road is an under utilized asset that, with a few improvements, could become a meeting place for citizens of all stripes,” O’Grady says. “Renewing Merivale Road is a priority for me—Nepean needs a plan for renewing our commercial and industrial heart.”
O’Grady’s seven-point proposal for the renewal of Merivale Road calls for:
a. Cycling and walking paths—Completing the Nepean Trail (see map)
b. A Public square with a fountain and public space for all-season entertainment, a farmers market, traveling exhibits, shows or events
c. A multiplex movie theatre (cinema)
d. An expanded sports and recreational centre at Merivale Arena
e. A new LRT route running up Merivale from Carling Ave. to alleviate traffic congestion and encourage new mixed-use development
f. Establishing a Merivale Road Business Improvement Area (BIA)
g. Updating Merivale’s Secondary Plan; Creating Community Design plans for Fisher Heights—Skyline & General Burns that include commercial areas like the Merivale-Clyde-Baseline triangle.
James O’Grady is a schoolteacher and communications specialist who was born and raised in Nepean. As a community leader O'Grady helped organize the ‘Stop Shoppers’ campaign in the spring of 2009 that garnered strong support from residents in the communities of Craig Henry and Trend-Arlington. He is currently serving as Vice President and Membership Coordinator for the Trend-Arlington Community Association.
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Media Contact:
Ben Myers
613-322-0121
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www.jamesogrady.ca
