Category: somerset street

Preston street, somerset street, streetscaping, west wellington1 Comment

Somerset Streetscaping Plan Unveiled

Westsideaction

After numerous meetings of stakeholders, the City and its consultants (Delcan) have come up with a proposed streetscaping plan for Somerset Street. It is excellent. Readers will recall that the West Wellie reconstruction got as far east as Spadina last year. Starting next month, more of Somerset will be dug up and new sewers and water installed, and then comes the fancy paving, protected parking bays that guarantee on-street parking (instead of rush hour traffic lanes), pedestrian lighting, benches, trees, etc. The section from Spadina east to the start of the viaduct (bridge) at Breezehill will be landscaped like the … Continue reading Somerset Streetscaping Plan Unveiled

Preston street, somerset street, streetscaping, west wellington

Somerset Streetscaping Plan Unveiled

Westsideaction

After numerous meetings of stakeholders, the City and its consultants (Delcan) have come up with a proposed streetscaping plan for Somerset Street. It is excellent. Readers will recall that the West Wellie reconstruction got as far east as Spadina last year. Starting next month, more of Somerset will be dug up and new sewers and water installed, and then comes the fancy paving, protected parking bays that guarantee on-street parking (instead of rush hour traffic lanes), pedestrian lighting, benches, trees, etc. The section from Spadina east to the start of the viaduct (bridge) at Breezehill will be landscaped like the … Continue reading Somerset Streetscaping Plan Unveiled

Chinatown, chinatown arch, somerset street1 Comment

Aloha Chinatown Honalulu (ii)

Westsideaction

Chinatown in Honalulu has a large reputation preceeding it, one that I felt on my visit wasn’t totally warranted. Pictured above is their Chinatown gate — pedestrian archway on a slightly arched bridge that crosses a canal waterway. Note also the small plaques mounted along the bridge. Much of Chinatown H has a uniform architecture. That was because of a fire in the early twentieth century. A fire that has been attributed to several causes: burning down the neighborhood as it was the centre of a plague sweeping the island; or it was an accident; or it was designed to … Continue reading Aloha Chinatown Honalulu (ii)

Chinatown, chinatown arch, somerset street

Aloha Chinatown Honalulu (ii)

Westsideaction

Chinatown in Honalulu has a large reputation preceeding it, one that I felt on my visit wasn’t totally warranted. Pictured above is their Chinatown gate — pedestrian archway on a slightly arched bridge that crosses a canal waterway. Note also the small plaques mounted along the bridge. Much of Chinatown H has a uniform architecture. That was because of a fire in the early twentieth century. A fire that has been attributed to several causes: burning down the neighborhood as it was the centre of a plague sweeping the island; or it was an accident; or it was designed to … Continue reading Aloha Chinatown Honalulu (ii)

bike path, cycling in Ottawa, somerset street

Puddlegineering

Westsideaction

In yesterday’s post, I lamented the ability of our city to install puddles right at pedestrian crossings, or huge lakes on brand-new multipurpose paths. In many cases, these puddles appear because the “lowest spot” on the road is right at the pedestrian crossing, the better to be enjoyed by wetfooted citizens. The puddle shown above required real skill to be installed. Notice that it is on the highest point of the road — the crest of the hill as Somerset goes up and over the Otrain track. This puddle is large enough that it lingered there for over a week … Continue reading Puddlegineering

bike path, cycling in Ottawa, somerset street

Puddlegineering

Westsideaction

In yesterday’s post, I lamented the ability of our city to install puddles right at pedestrian crossings, or huge lakes on brand-new multipurpose paths. In many cases, these puddles appear because the “lowest spot” on the road is right at the pedestrian crossing, the better to be enjoyed by wetfooted citizens. The puddle shown above required real skill to be installed. Notice that it is on the highest point of the road — the crest of the hill as Somerset goes up and over the Otrain track. This puddle is large enough that it lingered there for over a week … Continue reading Puddlegineering

chinatown arch, somerset street

Chinatown arch

Westsideaction

click to enlarge to see gold detailing Construction of the Chinatown Royal Arch begins in April. The whole structure will be precast concrete. The precasting of features may be done in a tented workshop behind Yangtze Restaurant using handcarved wooden molds, then put on the concrete main frame. It will take two months to cast, then painting will take two months, altogether five to six months. The lowest point of the arch will be 16’ above the street; the top point will be about 33’ above the street. The arch spanning the street will weigh 100 tons, when the decorative … Continue reading Chinatown arch

Preston street, somerset street, Transit

Rapid Transit in the 1950’s

Westsideaction

This photo is taken on Somerset Street in front of the Plant Pool, looking east up the hill into the heart of the Little Italy district which is now Chinatown. Preston runs left – right across the photo. The Rainbow grill on the corner of Preston and Somerset is now May’s Chinese restaurant. The Atlas tire billboard is now Frisby tires. The buildings on the far left corner of the intersection houses Azar Signs amongst other businesses. The buildings burned down in the late 60’s I think. At that time, my elderly Italian neighbor once told me, one of them … Continue reading Rapid Transit in the 1950’s

Chinatown, little Italy, pedestrians, Plouffe Park, Preston street, somerset street, streetscaping

Somerset Streetscaping – can it get back on the road?

Westsideaction

The first meeting of stakeholders got together on Tuesday evening to discuss the streetscaping project on Somerset Street. The 2010 portion is from Preston to West Wellie. The portion shown above is in the Preston BIA catchment area. The portion beyond the bridge is in Hintonburg (Kitchissipi ward) and the Hintonburg BIA. In 2011 the section from Preston to Booth will be done. That is the area behind the viewer in the above picture. It falls in the Chinatown BIA. Yup, in a territory walkable in barely five minutes, there are two wards, 3 BIAs, 2 community associations, and other stakeholders. A nice streetscaping project might be do-able … Continue reading Somerset Streetscaping – can it get back on the road?

somerset street, streetscaping, Trees

On streetscaping (vi) Trees

Westsideaction

The urban tree problem … Trees in the built-up city face difficult conditions. Among these are tiny porous surfaces around the bases (the city minimum porous surface was 4’x4’ and this became the maximum space, even when room was available); packed earth or paving base as “growing media”; pollution; car damage; snow removal damage from city crews or contractors; hostile property owners who remove street trees; cultural hostility from groups that feel trees are invasive or unlucky; sidewalk repairs that reduce tree wells; overhead wiring and over-zealous “pruning” and trimming by utilities, etc. City standards are sometimes unhelpful. The city may require … Continue reading On streetscaping (vi) Trees

somerset street, streetscaping

On streetscaping (v) a question of style

Westsideaction

Streetscaping usually involves the reconstruction of sidewalks and adjacent spaces with new concrete and other paving materials. Decorative lighting and other elements may be employed. If a single style of paving and lighting is employed along the entire street a sense of cohesiveness and integration results. If overdone, this can become boring. On very long streets, or streets where there are several distinct “zones” (such as a high rise zone, a residential zone, and a commercial zone) it might be appropriate to vary the streetscaping style from zone to zone to best achieve the desired effect. Generally, in Dalhousie ward, … Continue reading On streetscaping (v) a question of style

somerset street, streetscaping

On Streetscaping (iv) Drainage

Westsideaction

The drainage problem … The current geometry of streets has the highest point along the centre line of the street. Water drains to the curb, adjacent the sidewalk. Catch basins are located along the curb. Where vehicles drive adjacent the curb, they trail a cloud of dirty airborne water and splash water and slush onto the sidewalk. Where parking is permitted along the curb, vehicles block the snow from melting and pack it down into ice. Salt creates puddles of slush and ice at every driveway dip in the sidewalk, creating a hazardous and unpleasant pedestrian environment. When bulb outs … Continue reading On Streetscaping (iv) Drainage

Preston street, somerset street, streetscaping, west wellington

On Streetscaping (iii) Street Lighting

Westsideaction

The street lighting problem … Currently streets are uniformly lit for the benefit of vehicles in the centre of the road. Lighting intensity may increase at certain intersections. Sidewalks and pedestrians may be in the shadow of vehicles and trees. They do not have lighting levels set to meet their needs or to establish a pleasant urban walking environment. Too much lighting is just as bad as too little lighting if it creates a harsh and unwelcoming environment. Street lights are usually located at a regular distance apart and uniformly set back behind the sidewalk or along the curb. For … Continue reading On Streetscaping (iii) Street Lighting

somerset street, streetscaping

On Streetscaping (ii) the Bulb Out solution

Westsideaction

 The uniformly wide-street problem… Most city streets are of uniform width for blocks: there are vehicle movement lanes and curb side parking. Sometimes the curbside parking is restricted, catering to more moving vehicles. Streets are the same width even when there is no need, for example, parking is illegal at corners and in front of hydrants or wide driveways, but even where parking is prohibited the street remains the same width. Motorists perceive the street as wide and straight, encouraging faster movement. At its worst, this encourages aggressive drivers to “pass on the right” where there are no parked vehicles. For … Continue reading On Streetscaping (ii) the Bulb Out solution

somerset street, streetscaping

On Streetscaping (i)

Westsideaction

 The planning process for the reconstruction of Somerset Street is underway. It is an accelerated process, since the streetscaping component is getting underway now, for construction this year from West Wellington over the Otrain to Preston, and construction in 2010 from Preston to Booth. Presumably the style of streetscaping selected for these segments will be later extended from Booth further east through Chinatown. Purpose of streetscaping: an improved pedestrian and cyclist environment, minimized through traffic, with reasonable accommodation for parked vehicles. Somerset looking west from Preston; Plant Rec Ctr to the left Part (i): Wider Sidewalks The problem … Historically, … Continue reading On Streetscaping (i)

somerset street, streetscaping, west wellington

The Pattern Under Foot

Westsideaction

Picture 1 shows sidewalk pavers laid on West Wellington in 2009. The pattern repeats often, with the joint lines lining up in long straight lines. The manufacturer’s instructions caution against this pattern, as the eye sees the long lines. Almost the same pattern, laid along West Wellington in 2008 contracts. The pattern is very similar to the top picture, but there are no long lines. Every few meters, the blocks jog a bit to break up the distracting line pattern. I find this a much more pleasing pattern. Does anyone think this matters? Continue reading The Pattern Under Foot

bike path, bikewest, cycling in Ottawa, somerset street, streetscaping

Boring Job

Westsideaction

Whilst walking along Somerset Street just west of the OTrain track, at Breezehill, I came across these gents taking bore-hole samples from the street. Little painted notations every few meters along the street indicate that they will be doing this for weeks. I will nag the Somerset street planners for one bore hole result in particular. It will be the hole bored just a few meters east of the OTrain underpass. Eventually, a segregated bike route (CycloPiste de Preston?)  will be finished along the OTrain corridor, and to be useful it will likely have to pass under Somerset Street. Will it be … Continue reading Boring Job

Chinatown, cycling in Ottawa, Plouffe Park, Preston street, somerset street, streetscaping

West Siders can get involved to get the city they want …

Westsideaction

The first meeting of the Bayview-Carling CDP group will be this week…while intended primarily for those who were in the prior process to reacquaint themselves and review the previously identified issues and recommendations, I would think anyone else keen to get involved should contact randolph.wang@ottawa.ca .  The study area is from Bayview along the Otrain track to Carling, and includes the undeveloped/underdeveloped/industrial lands along the route. The initial Public Advisory Committee meeting on Thursday, December 10th, 7:00 – 9:00 p.m., at Room 4102E/4103E, City Hall. The rooms are located on the fourth floor at City Hall. A public advisory group … Continue reading West Siders can get involved to get the city they want …

cycling in Ottawa, hintonburg, somerset street, streetscaping

Garland Bike Lane

Westsideaction

West Wellington, like Preston, has been reconstructed to be two lanes of traffic, plus parking bays. There is no marked bike path but the traffic lane is supposed to be so wide it can accomodate cyclists and motorists compatibly. The lane width is rather cosy for cyclists and the No 2 OC Transpo bus or the many trucks in the area. And there are door prizes to be won. Cyclists are also being directed to marked bike routes parallel to West Wellington along two-way Armstrong street. It remains to be seen what amenities cyclists will get along Armstrong (other than … Continue reading Garland Bike Lane

chinatown arch, somerset street, streetscaping

Mini Garden in Chinatown

Westsideaction

This brick planter replaces a rickety wooden one at the corner of Upper Lorne Place and Somerset Street in Chinatown. It is simple, inexpensive, attractive. The Chinatown / Somerset landscape could use more such pocket gardens to soften the landscape and generally improve the look of the area, which tends to look a bit bedraggled, especially with the number of vacant storefronts. Continue reading Mini Garden in Chinatown

Chinatown, infill, somerset street

Lotus Court green roof

Westsideaction

Lotus Court is a mixed use project by Phoenix DCR developers at the corner of Rochester and Somerset Streets. The upper levels consist of townhouse units and stacked townhouse/loft units that are accessed off a central courtyard 3/4 of a flight up off the street. Under the units facing Somerset there are storefront offices. Under  the units facing the back (Eccles Street) are another level of residential units. Somewhere under the whole thing is underground parking. Resales seem to be brisk. The building seems to function well for the location. However, the courtyard and thus the upper units – some … Continue reading Lotus Court green roof

Dalhousie, little Italy, somerset street

The Grapes are Coming

Westsideaction

Life in Dalhousie is never dull. As seen on Somerset Street, just west of Preston, another tractor trailer load of California grapes is unloaded by Silvano Musca, owner of Musca Wine Supplies. The grapes are crushed into juice on the premises, and sold directly to customers to ferment into artisanal wines. Some grapes are kept in huge drive-in refridgerated rooms for use later. Wine making is especially popular with the many Italian families that have traditional ties to Dalhousie and the Little Italy neighborhood, most obviously along Preston Street. Continue reading The Grapes are Coming

Albert St, Bayview, City Centre, Dalhousie, Empress St, LeBreton Flats, O-Train, Preston street, Scott street, somerset street, streetscaping4 Comments

Bayview re-landscaped

Westsideaction

Looking east on Albert as it goes over the OTrain Boulevard trees, west side of Bayview seen from Scott Curious curb jogs, seen from Somerset looking north Field of Trees, between TomBrown Arena and Albert Sometimes the City makes me very happy. Like when I see the amount of generous landscaping going in along Bayview Avenue between Somerset and Albert/Scott. For several years the City waterworks people have been burying high pressure water mains in the area. Approx.where the sidewalk is shown in picture 4 & 5 is the route of the pipeline. There was a bare grassy lawn running from Tom … Continue reading Bayview re-landscaped