A new study shows that various organizations want to reverse the decline of downtown Gatineau, Que., one that’s been fueled by an exodus of workers, including many federal civil servants.
The City of Gatineau asked the Observatoire du développement de l’Outaouais (ODO) to carry out the study, which aimed to find solutions to diversify the local economy and revitalize the city centre.
According to the report, which was unveiled Friday, downtown Gatineau has seen a sharp drop in the number of workers over the span of five years.
In 2016, before the COVID-19 pandemic, there were 36,070 workers in the area. By 2021, that figure had fallen to 14,460, the report said.
More employees have been working remotely, leading to deserted offices and making it very likely the federal government will vacate buildings it rents in the downtown, the report said.
The report puts forward several potential solutions for revitalizing the downtown, including stimulating the local economy by supporting small businesses.
A pedestrian walks through downtown Gatineau in 2022. According to the ODO report, of the 55 downtowns the authors looked at across Canada, Gatineau has seen the largest drop in pedestrian traffic since the pandemic. (Michel Aspirot/CBC)
Revitalization won’t happen overnight, says mayor
At a press conference Friday, Gatineau Mayor France Bélisle acknowledged the revitalization of the downtown was “a challenge” the city would have to take on.
“Development and a sense of belonging will take time,” Bélisle said in French. “We won’t see results in 48 hours or next year.”
City administration will have to look into forming some sort of action plan for the downtown, as well as potentially offering financial assistance, in the weeks and months to come, the mayor said.
Gatineau, Que., Mayor France Bélisle, seen here in 2023, says developing Gatineau’s core to make it more lively won’t happen overnight. (Alexander Behne/Radio-Canada)
“We need to make sure that people understand where is the downtown core,” said Alex Van Dieren, co-president of Gatineau event planning company Orkestra.
That includes concentrating shops and events in one location, Van Dieren said.
Van Dieren also said that when it comes to collaborating with the City of Gatineau, the relationship has been more positive than ever — but multiple different groups will need to work together to solve the issues facing the downtown.
“We feel the city is really into it, and very much so believes — like many others — that now [downtown Gatineau should return to] being the place to be.”
News Related-
The best Walmart Cyber Monday deals 2023
-
Jordan Poole took time to showboat and got his shot blocked into the stratosphere
-
The Top Canadian REITs to Buy in November 2023
-
OpenAI’s board might have been dysfunctional–but they made the right choice. Their defeat shows that in the battle between AI profits and ethics, it’s no contest
-
Russia-Ukraine Drone Warfare Rages With Dozens Headed for Moscow, Amid Deadly Winter Storm
-
Trump tells appeals court that threats to judge and clerk in NY civil fraud trial do not justify gag order
-
Can Anyone Take Paxlovid for Covid? Doctors Explain.
-
Google this week will begin deleting inactive accounts. Here's how to save yours.
-
How John Tortorella's Culture Extends from the Philadelphia Flyers to the AHL Phantoms
-
Tri-Cities' hatcheries report best Coho return in years
-
Wild release Dean Evason of head coaching duties
-
Air New Zealand’s Cyber Monday Sale Has the 'Lowest Fares of 2023' to Auckland, Sydney, and More
-
NDP tells Liberals to sweeten the deal if pharmacare legislation is delayed
-
'1,000 contacts with a club': Tiger Woods breaks down his typical tournament prep to college kids in fascinating video