How Ottawa Residents Turned a Movie Marquee Into a Message for Better Transit
(Source: Strong Towns Ottawa on Facebook.)
Bank Street is one of the busiest corridors in Ottawa, Ontario—and like many major urban streets, it’s often clogged with cars, making transit slow and unreliable. But instead of waiting for someone else to fix it, a group of residents from Strong Towns Ottawa took the initiative to bring attention to a better idea: dedicated bus lanes.
They didn’t hold a protest. They didn’t submit a 400-page policy paper. They started with something simple—and powerful.
The Power of a Marquee
Working with the historic Mayfair Theatre, the group placed a message on the cinema’s marquee supporting the proposal for bus lanes on Bank Street. Thousands of people walk, bike, drive, or bus past that marquee every day—and now they’re seeing a reminder that transit can (and should) be a priority.
Inside the theater, the campaign continues. Short ads play before every film, encouraging residents to think about how better transit could improve everyday life on Bank Street—making it easier to commute, shop, or visit friends without sitting in traffic.
“We wanted to start a conversation,” said a Strong Towns Ottawa member. “The marquee felt like the perfect place to get people talking.”
This isn’t a story about city hall. It’s a story about residents who saw a problem, looked around, and used what was already in their neighborhood to respond. The Mayfair Theatre wasn’t just a backdrop—it became a partner. And by using humor, storytelling, and visuals people actually see, they’ve helped make a policy proposal feel tangible and urgent.
This is how real change starts—not with million-dollar grants or a new plan on a shelf, but with regular people saying, “We can do better,” and using the tools around them to make it happen.
What You Can Do Next
Want to spark change in your community? You don’t need a big budget—just a good idea and a few neighbors willing to get creative.
If your city needs better transit—or safer streets, or stronger neighborhoods—don’t wait for someone else to make the first move. Look around, find your local version of the Mayfair Theatre, and start the conversation.
Because a stronger community doesn’t begin with a plan. It begins with people who care enough to act.
Find the people who care enough to act. Join a Strong Towns Local Conversation or start your own. We’ll teach you how to transform your community through meaningful civic engagement.
