Ducharme unveils plans to rebrand downtown as Vieux-Hull
Taylor Clark
Taking inspiration from Vieux-Québec and Vieux-Montréal, independent mayoral candidate Yves Ducharme wants to revitalize what he has dubbed Vieux-Hull.
“I want to display our history, our pride, our identity, and our sense of belonging,” said Ducharme.
The candidate gathered journalists in downtown Hull on May 23 to reveal his 14-point action plan to stimulate the downtown core as it shakes off the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Using the study on the revival of downtown Gatineau by the Observatoire du développement de l’Outaouais as a roadmap, Ducharme planned to review the limits of the current programme particulier d’urbanisme du centre-ville. The territory would be bounded to the south and east by the Ottawa River, to the north by boulevard des Allumettières and to the west by rue Taylor.
“The Observatory’s study highlights an indisputable face. Downtown needs more residents,” said Ducharme. “Residents who can, on foot or by bike, consume, have fun, and work in a neighbourhood in just 15 minutes. But for this, there must be a minimum density.”
While the issue of density played a role in the study, Ducharme said possible concrete solutions to compensate for this demographic deficiency were practically nonexistent. He intended to require a supplement study to know the optimal level of density, desirable residential mix, optimal composition of households, and elasticity of demand according to price housing.
Among Ducharme’s other measures was promoting the creation of a public market at the Fonderie, pressing the government to deliver a timeline for the construction of the new convention centre, intervening with the National Capital Commission to improve the development for the Ruisseau de la Brasserie, and establishing the regional museum in the E.B. Eddy Digester Tower.
“It was under my administration that we managed to protect this building … I’m very proud of it. I want to see this gem reborn there. I have already indicated to Mathieu Lacombe, our regional Minister, that I would like to see the regional museum take root there.”
When it came to business owners, Ducharme wanted to simplify things by creating a customer approach to the town planning service and eliminating the requirement to obtain a permit to post on buildings.
“Businesspeople must view our administration as collaborators rather than regulators. And our administration must view businesspeople as partners, not profiteers. Ultimately, more residents bring more merchants. And more merchants bring more residents to a vibrant neighbourhood.”
Photo caption: Independent candidate Yves Ducharme would like to use the study published earlier this year by Observatoire du développement de l’Outaouais as a roadmap to boost the attractiveness and diversification of downtown Gatineau.
Photo credit: Taylor Clark
