Over
a lunch meeting in late 1980, an Ottawa architect and two local businessmen,
all Somerset building owners, agreed to pursue the creation of a Streetscape
Renewal Project. It was felt that this would be the much needed catalyst
for Somerset's revival. The area began to be referred to as Somerset Village.
On
January 28, 1981, a steering group of building owners and interested businessmen
formed the Somerset Village Business Association. A group of the building
owners of the attractive 1890 to 1910 heritage commercial buildings then
commissioned a streetscape design plan, a heritage style revitalization
of the historic old red Ottawa brick building cluster.
The architectural plan for
the streetscape recommended the introduction of local heritage style five
globe street lamps, the extension of the sidewalks in red brick to the
front of all buildings, the planting of trees and shrubs along the streets,
and the introduction of other pieces of furniture and benches to compliment
the 19th century building setting.
Page Design by Destination...Ottawa
