Explore how the Glebe BIA enhanced the neighbourhood in 2026 with vibrant public art, welcoming community spaces and improved access to local businesses.
As we shared in the Glebe Report last year, the Glebe Business Improvement Area (BIA) has been focused on creating significant public realm improvementsand introducing valuable placemaking projects as part of the BIA’s strategic goals.
Part of the Glebe BIA’s mandate is to attract visitors and increase foot traffic to the neighbourhood, supporting the success and vitality of local businesses. As outlined in readily available reports and information, and taking cues from the Project for Public Spaces, well-kept neighbourhoods with vibrant art, third spaces, free seating, and community-led initiatives thrive when locals and visitors spend their time, energy and dollars supporting a community like the Glebe. The Glebe BIA continues to focus on creating an inviting environment through valuable partnerships, coordinated city efforts and small, incremental interventions. We accomplished several projects in 2026 which we will highlight below.
New Art in the Glebe
In 2026, the Glebe BIA commissioned 3 unique projects to add art, character and zest to some of the most visible spaces in the Glebe.
Local artist Hardi Vora was selected by the BIA to represent the Glebe in our annual banner program. Featuring the Glebe throughout the seasons in “Glebe: Seasons of a Century”, Vora’s 3-piece series captures beloved landmarks and unmistakable characteristics in a stained-glass inspired design, honouring the origins of the name of the beloved neighbourhood. As part of the City’s celebration of Bytown’s 200th Anniversary the designs were featured on over 120 banners along Bank Street, in addition to 10 new street pole banners along Isabella Street, ensuring our northernmost road was finally included in our placemaking program. Keep your eyes on the sky as Hardi completes the series, bringing whimsical winter charm to our lamp posts this November.
You may have also seen this series converted into handsome bookmarks, available at a handful of our BIA stores as the seasons change.
The BIA commissioned its largest mural yet, in partnership with valued member, Your Credit Union (YCU). Located at 14 Chamberlain Avenue, this 25’ x 30’ mural entitled “Constellations of Care” was created by local artist Stephanie Babij. This mural is bright, vibrant and its scale reflects the diversity of both the people and the setting of the Glebe. Stop by YCU to see this in person, and notice how the values of Community, Growth and Nature are reflected in this unique installation.
Rounding out this year’s art projects, The BIA brought more colour to eye-level spaces in the Glebe with new artwork on five large utility boxes along Bank Street. Returning artist Tia Wong created the pieces at the intersection of Bank Street and First Avenue, while Shauna Buck’s work brightens the intersections at Powell and Regent Avenues. Supported by the City of Ottawa Mural Fund and created in partnership with Bell Mobility, these vibrant works feature familiar scenes, offering moments of unexpected joy to those walking through the neighbourhood.
Caring For Our Community Spaces
We took steps this year to enhance the Glebe’s already charming streetscape. We improved maintenance of sidewalks, gardens and park spaces, and added Muskoka chairs to the Fourth Avenue Courtyard. We introduced new gardens throughout the neighbourhood, including large planters on Metcalfe Street near Loblaws. Enhanced cleaning along Bank Street, in partnership with the city, helped keep the Glebe looking its best.
Although the sunny Bank Street chairs and the Oasis will be put away for the season at the end of October, these placemaking efforts were well-loved and used from the moment they were installed! These additions will be back in 2027 to continue offering free spaces, resting spots and the perfect place to enjoy coffee with a friend throughout the community.
Creating a More Accessible BIA
A key focus for the BIA this year was to improve accessibility features in the BIA. Continuing work from 2024 and bolstered by the arrival of the 2026 World Wheelchair Basketball Championships held at the Arena at TD Place in September, the BIA Staff and Board Members focused on improving accessibility for Glebe BIA businesses by identifying and removing barriers to entry for customers with disabilities. The BIA undertook an audit of storefronts and physical access features and updated the online business directory to ensure business’s accessibility features were easily found on the website. The BIA also lead the production of 9 new ramps with the Ottawa City Woodshop, helping to create a total of 15 step-free storefronts. The BIA delivered these ramps to the businesses at no cost, ensuring these spaces can be accessed as easily as possible.
2027 Looking Ahead
These many projects – public art, free seating, community gathering spaces, atmospheric lighting – are answers to the questions we hear and the visual cues we see in our community. The BIA’s small but mighty team believes that these projects do more than just convey that the Glebe is a great place to live, shop and visit. These details and interventions create spaces for human connection, foster returning customers, bolster sales for our local businesses and convert customers into regulars, and regulars into community champions.
Placemaking efforts and public realm improvements signal that the Glebe is cared for and can be a harbour for creativity, expression, growth and success. As 2026 recedes and 2027 peeks over the horizon, the Glebe BIA will continue to care for and improve this neighbourhood, and to act as a leader stewarding positive community sentiment and the momentum needed to care for such a unique place.
