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The City of Ottawa’s Street Seats Pilot is back for Summer 2026!
What is the Street Seat Pilot Program?
The Street Seats Pilot Program temporarily repurposes short sections of local streets adjacent to Mainstreets into welcoming and programmable pedestrian plazas. This year’s Street Seats locations will be on MacLaren, Frank and Waverley at Bank Street, and Cambridge at Somerset Street.
Why?
This project aims to:
Support the efforts being undertaken on many fronts regarding improved place-making, enhanced public safety, and economic revitalization
Test ideas on how street segments can be repurposed into multi-functional public spaces
Improve safety on local streets for all modes of transportation
Provide more welcoming public spaces for all
After a wonderful reception by the Centretown community in 2025, Street Seats will be returning and expanding for its second year! Programming runs from June 1st to mid-October, with installation beginning May 19, 2026. During this time, neighbourhood side streets will be transformed with seating, art, and community programming for residents and visitors. With an added site in Centretown and a new site in Chinatown, the Street Seats program is ready to host you again this summer!
The Street Seats Pilot Program is one part of the Centretown Street Safety and Revitalization Action Plan, which focuses on enhancing Centretown’s main streets as safe, inviting, and vibrant places for residents and visitors to enjoy.
Check out the Street Seats Pilot Program 2025 Final Report which highlights the array of activities, street art and business collaborations that drew over 2,500 attendees to these revitalized spaces.
What you need to know for 2026
This Year’s Programming
Stay tuned for updates on this year’s programming! The calendar of events, as well as the application portal for booking your own event in these spaces will be posted shortly.
Key Traffic Changes:
From May 19 to mid-October, the following temporary changes will be in effect:
MacLaren Street – east of Bank Street: Local vehicle access remains. Angled parking near Bank Street will be converted into public space for the season and access through to Bank Street will be reduced to one lane, same as 2025.
Frank Street – east of Bank Street: The street will be temporarily converted to two-way local traffic and closed to vehicle access at Bank Street, same as 2025.
New location - Waverley Street – east of Bank Street: The street will be temporarily converted to two-way local traffic with minor reductions to on-street parking and closed to vehicle access at Bank Street.
New location - Cambridge Street – south of Somerset Street: All local traffic to Cambridge will be accessed via Christie Street.
The City of Ottawa’s Street Seats Pilot is back for Summer 2026!
What is the Street Seat Pilot Program?
The Street Seats Pilot Program temporarily repurposes short sections of local streets adjacent to Mainstreets into welcoming and programmable pedestrian plazas. This year’s Street Seats locations will be on MacLaren, Frank and Waverley at Bank Street, and Cambridge at Somerset Street.
Why?
This project aims to:
Support the efforts being undertaken on many fronts regarding improved place-making, enhanced public safety, and economic revitalization
Test ideas on how street segments can be repurposed into multi-functional public spaces
Improve safety on local streets for all modes of transportation
Provide more welcoming public spaces for all
After a wonderful reception by the Centretown community in 2025, Street Seats will be returning and expanding for its second year! Programming runs from June 1st to mid-October, with installation beginning May 19, 2026. During this time, neighbourhood side streets will be transformed with seating, art, and community programming for residents and visitors. With an added site in Centretown and a new site in Chinatown, the Street Seats program is ready to host you again this summer!
The Street Seats Pilot Program is one part of the Centretown Street Safety and Revitalization Action Plan, which focuses on enhancing Centretown’s main streets as safe, inviting, and vibrant places for residents and visitors to enjoy.
Check out the Street Seats Pilot Program 2025 Final Report which highlights the array of activities, street art and business collaborations that drew over 2,500 attendees to these revitalized spaces.
What you need to know for 2026
This Year’s Programming
Stay tuned for updates on this year’s programming! The calendar of events, as well as the application portal for booking your own event in these spaces will be posted shortly.
Key Traffic Changes:
From May 19 to mid-October, the following temporary changes will be in effect:
MacLaren Street – east of Bank Street: Local vehicle access remains. Angled parking near Bank Street will be converted into public space for the season and access through to Bank Street will be reduced to one lane, same as 2025.
Frank Street – east of Bank Street: The street will be temporarily converted to two-way local traffic and closed to vehicle access at Bank Street, same as 2025.
New location - Waverley Street – east of Bank Street: The street will be temporarily converted to two-way local traffic with minor reductions to on-street parking and closed to vehicle access at Bank Street.
New location - Cambridge Street – south of Somerset Street: All local traffic to Cambridge will be accessed via Christie Street.
