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The city is paying $120,000 to create a new pedestrian plaza in the ByWard Market so the big Ottawa letters have a proper backdrop.

But some business owners near the new plaza, which the city is constructing at York and Sussex streets, still hate that full on-street parking capacity on York Street won’t be reinstated after the teardown of Inspiration Village.

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“I just shake my head,” said Christine Shaikin, manager of The Modern Shop across from the plaza construction site.

The block Ottawa letters are a good idea but businesses need parking to satisfy customers who love convenience, Shaikin said.

Shaikin said Inspiration Village killed business because the shipping containers created a barrier between the attraction and businesses, and it didn’t help there were dozens of parking spaces eliminated.

Photo by Darren Brown / Postmedia

Twenty-two parking spaces will be out of commission for as long as the new plaza is in operation at York and Sussex streets.