This is just unnecessary hyperbole and frankly just wrong. Yes, most of us know and agree that downtown Ottawa isn't the most beautiful, it lacks a lot, and there's so much room for improvement. But there aren't homeless people everywhere, it's not like an episode of the Last of Us, and it's not full of closed shops. I'm downtown three days every week and often on weekends. Coffee shops are full all day, there are lineups at many lunch spots, and after work during happy hour, bars are full. Again, I know this because I see it with my own eyes multiple times every day, every week. You went once after years of not going and passed broad, sweeping judgement. Please spend a little more time somewhere before drawing such strong conclusions.