McEwen apartment residents push city for mandatory evacuation and concrete support

Residents of Park West at 30 McEwen Ave. remain without power, water, or functioning elevators nearly two weeks after the July 1 rainstorm flooded the 24-storey building. Access is restricted during business hours, and families are retrieving belongings while living in increasingly difficult conditions.

Property owner Saickley Enterprises reported "catastrophic damage" to the hydro vault and fire systems. The Ottawa Fire Department evacuated some residents on July 1 and has twice urged the rest to leave, but no mandatory evacuation order was issued. By July 3, the city only "strongly encouraged" remaining residents to vacate.

A Carleton University sociology professor who moved his 86-year-old mother to a hotel is calling the city's approach indefensible. "The City can't evacuate some people and acknowledge the building is not fit to live in, but then not issue an evacuation order," he said. Fire officials worry about residents wandering in the dark or falling.

But Amy Allan, whose daughter stayed to help with cleanup, worries a mandatory order could traumatize older residents with disabilities. Instead, she's pushing the city to provide concrete support—food, water, and other essentials. Ryan Perrault, the city's general manager of Emergency and Protective Services, said staff worked closely with the property owner on evacuation and recovery. Residents may not return before July 16, though an official date has not been confirmed.