ByWard Market BIA dissolving as businesses and city seek ‘single voice’ [Video]

The ByWard Market BIA is set to dissolve later this year, as the city of Ottawa and businesses look to have a “single voice” speak for the area, while also streamlining programming and operations in the popular tourist area.

Plans for the proposed new municipal services corporation structure were presented to BIA members during the ByWard Market BIA general meeting on Wednesday afternoon.

The new structure comes out of a working group comprising of the city of Ottawa, ByWard Market BIA and the Ottawa Markets looking at a new governance model and eliminating the “current multi-jurisdictional approach.”

Staff told businesses the new district model would align area operations, marketing, programming and advocacy under a single entity for the ByWard Market. It would replace the current BIA and Ottawa Markets, which look after the current operations in the market area.

“Speaking with a single voice on ByWard Market matters creates opportunity …