Building Better Revitalized Neighbourhoods

The Building Better Revitalized Neighbourhoods program has a goal of improving the health, vibrancy and liveability of priority neighbourhoods within the City of Ottawa.

BBRN has been a successful made-in-Ottawa approach that has highlighted efficiencies, opportunities and strengths that every Department in the City can leverage from land use planning to infrastructure improvements to parks and social services.

The Vanier South-Overbrook neighbourhoods are the starting point for the Building Better Revitalized Neighbourhoods (BBRN) initiative. The BBRN studies in the Vanier South-Overbrook communities focused on engaging community members, service providers, residents, landowners and business leaders to discover what is already working in each of the neighbourhoods in order to identify the priorities for revitalization.

The priorities of a neighbourhood revitalization strategy are slowly developed over time based through consultation and collaboration with stakeholders. The priorities may include economic, social and cultural themes such as land use planning, infrastructure projects, economic development initiatives, programs and services, parks and recreation, as well as housing and support initiatives focused on a specific part of the community.

Most importantly, a neighbourhood revitalization strategy provides an action plan for short, medium and long-term initiatives that are key to improving the health and vitality of a community.

In March 2019, the BBRN strategy was approved by Council to continue with a series of neighbourhood-specific action plan initiatives to be implemented over the short, medium and long-term.

Building Better Revitalized Neighbourhoods (BBRN) (accessible format)

Highlights of the various projects BBRN facilitated throughout the priority communities were:

• Partnership with Ottawa Community Housing for basketball court fencing in the Albion-Heatherington community
• Garden tower at Albion-Heatherington Recreation Centre in partnership with the City’s Healthy Kids Community Challenge program
• Partnership with Ottawa Community Housing to provide a dividing wall in community room in Albion-Heatherington community
• Partner with the City’s Youth summer employment program for 2018 for youth in the neighbourhood
• Tree planting and additional garbage cans in Fairlea Park
• Upgrade the basketball court at Fairlea Park
• WiFi at the Albion-Heatherington Recreation Centre
• Bike repair station - near Adàwe Bridge
• Partner with the Boys and Girls Club to provide a Physical Activity and Healthy Lifestyle Program at the Don McGahan House
• Bike connections to McArthur Ave cycling lanes west connection
• Bike Repair Station and amenities at Lola Street and Presland Road, Lawson Park, St Paul’s Park, Gil O’Julien Park, Riverain Park, Carillons Park, Janeville Park, Nault Park, Marier Ave Park, and Riverside Memorial Park
• Park improvements and updates to Overbrook and Presland Parks
• Sightline and lighting improvements to the Hardy Ave / Coventry Rd pathway
• Computers for the Millennium Learning Centre
• Additional amenities and beautification for the “4 Corners” in Overbrook
• Supported the Woman’s Initiatives for Safer Environments (W.I.S.E.) initiatives
• Pickleball at the Overbrook Community Centre
• Montreal Road and Vanier Parkway Digital Billboard
• Montreal Road Electronic Receptacles
• Vanier Overbrook Forestry Consultant Plan
• Beautification partnership with Ottawa Community Housing
• Carré de la Francophonie Plaque
• Mural in Overbrook
• Vanier Artistry Project
• Gateway speed signage in Overbook
• Pedestrian Crossing on North River Road

Since being approved by City Council in 2015, BBRN has:

• Met and engaged with the Councillor(s), residents, landowners, business owners, cultural, heritage and artistic organizations, artists and community associations to develop a community vision
• Created a Detailed Action Plan for Vanier South / Overbrook (below)
• Been a part of the Vision Vanier project
• Worked internally with city staff to support BBRN projects and leverage existing initiatives, partnerships and future opportunities and actions to support the revitalization strategy
• Undertaken consultations, including engagement activities with local artists, cultural and heritage groups, immigrant service organizations, and cultural and artistic organizations active in the BBRN neighbourhoods

The Vanier South-Overbrook neighbourhoods are the starting point for the Building Better Revitalized Neighbourhoods (BBRN) initiative. The BBRN studies in the Vanier South-Overbrook communities focused on engaging community members, service providers, residents, landowners and business leaders to discover what is already working in each of the neighbourhoods in order to identify the priorities for revitalization.

Vanier South-Overbrook Neighbourhood Revitalization Strategy

Council approved a Neighbourhood Revitalization Strategy for Vanier-South Overbrook in December 2017. The Strategy provides an Action Plan for short, medium and long-term initiatives that are key to improving the health and vitality of the community.

Vanier South-Overbrook Neighbourhood Revitalization Strategy [ PDF 3.2 MB ]

The strategy was developed based on our discussions with residents, businesses and service providers about what they think are the priorities for the neighbourhood. This feedback is summarized in the community consultation report below.

Vanier South-Overbrook Community Consultation Report [ PDF 4 MB]