This special edition of ‘#Yegdt Notes’ has been produced live on CityTV’s ‘Breakfast Television’, with special guests Shauna Warwich of the 104 Street Steering Committee, and Jarrett Campbell of the Oliver Community League! (Check out videos of today’s show on BT Edmonton!)
- A big step forward for the Downtown Arena Project yesterday. Council approved a new funding formula that will make up the missing $55m: support by the Capital Region Board to apply for $25m in provincial funding, a $15m cash call from Katz, and $15m more from the Community Revitalization Levy (CRL). Councillor Sohi was able to get Council Moneygram money order on side to replace the unpopular $45m MSI money allocated for the arena on May 8 with further money from the CRL. This was enough to get Councillor Iveson and Henderson to throw in their support. We hope this further funding from the CRL will not delay implementation of necessary downtown catalyst projects. A multi-year battle for funding downtown, our city is on the threshold of an unprecedented amount of implementation of infrastructure projects in the heart of our city.
- What’s our favourite thing about the return of summer in downtown? The City Market on 104 Street returns this weekend – Saturday, 9-3 rain or shine!
Our new streetfront Downtown Community Hall is located at 10042 103 Street, just south of Jasper Avenue
- We have moved into our new 103 Street space and are getting ourselves ready to share it with you! About 95% complete, look for an open house and grand opening party sometime in mid-June!
- The Red Bull Bus Tour arrives at Churchill Square this Friday. Edmonton’s line-up features local talents Shout Out Out Out Out and Cadence Weapon!
- Thank you to everyone that attended our Annual General Meeting last week! With over 90 people present, we discussed everything from downtown development, to receiving a presentation by ATB Financial CEO Dave Mowatt on the ‘Light the Bridge‘ project. A huge shout-out to Yellowhead Brewery for hosting our AGM for free – one of our great downtown community partners!
- Our Al Fresco Pancake Breakfast returns Saturday, June 8, 8:30-11. The launch of ‘Super Saturday’ downtown, that day is a jam-packed day of events and celebrations including the Pride Parade and City Market on 104 Street. While the ‘Al Fresco’ party takes a break for this year, a smaller ‘Centennial Block Party’ will celebrate the 100th anniversary of many of 4th Street Promenade’s heritage buildings. Look for a BBQ, salsa dancing, live performances and more in the evening from 4-8!
- Oliver Community League hosted a Community Consultation last week to discuss the Molson/Crosstown development proposal. More than just a discussion about that specific application, it was great to see 50 local residents come together on the first warm Saturday of the year and discuss what they’d like to see in their neighbourhood.
Just hanging out behind the cameras with Ryan Jesperson and Briget Ryan for Breakfast Television’s ‘Blogger’s Week’!
- Royal Lawn Bowling Club at the Legislature hosts an Open House on Saturday, May 25, 2013. After the success of last September’s ‘Downtown vs. Oliver’ Throwdown, we encourage you to check out this undervalued amenity downtown!
- DECL first heard of the LIVINGbridge Project, an effort to establish a temporary community garden on the unused overpass at 97 St and 105 Avenue leading into Chinatown, only weeks ago. Chelsea Boos and Carmen Douville presented their ideas to our membership at the AGM, and now are only weeks away from execution. If you’d like to support their project with funds or volunteersing, please contact us.
- Transforming and Revitalizing Downtown Summit happens for the first time in Western Canada in Edmonton, June 12 & 13, 2013. Watch for events in the week leading up to the date of the conference!
- Urban Eden Community Garden has started up for the 2013 season! Last week Thursday’s spring clean-up at the garden, organized by Garden Coordinator Dawn Woolsey, had a great turnout and many of the broken boxes were repaired so people can start planting.
- ‘Light the Bridge‘ campaign launched earlier this month, an effort to get 60,000 LED bulbs built on the High Level Bridge by private donations for the bridge’s 100th anniversary. $25 gets you a bulb, they’ll even tell you exactly which one!
- Sustainable Planning unveiled their new patio policy this spring with the hope of streamlining the application process and encourage more patios in our downtown. If this season so far is any indication, we hope it’s working – Kelly’s Pub opened their much-anticipated patio this week!
Kelly’s Pub patio promises to be a great addition to the 4th Street Promenade! (Photo credit: Kelly’s Pub)
Thank you to Ryan Jesperson and Bridge Ryan for their hospitality today for BT’s ‘Blogger’s Week’. It was great to have the opportunity to chat about the exciting projects in store for our downtown!