#Yegdt Notes – November 6, 2013

By Chris Buyze · November 6, 2013 at 1:41pm

Your downtown news and events listing is back! Thanks to everyone that was involved in or supported our events this summer and fall, including our Annual CornFest Membership Drive in September. We were also honoured to be part of the 2nd Annual Alberta Culture Days Kick-Off Block Party, and sponsor the Designing Downtown Pan-Canadian Pecha Kucha! Now back to the ‘notes’!

After much work and hundreds of volunteer hours we are pleased to finally host the Grand Opening Celebration of our new Downtown Community Hall! Join us next Friday, November 15, 7-11 for official presentations to open our new multi-purpose facility, live music, refreshments and a cash bar. Might even be some door prizes! See our new space and help us christen a new chapter in the growth of DECL and our downtown!
The third Downtown Arena Project Community Benefits Agreement took place this Monday evening. Part of the update for local stakeholders included a terms of reference for the Downtown Arena Advisory Committee whom will help manage concerns and issues in the Arena District. Oilers GM Patrick Laforge was on hand to provide an update – pile testing is complete and hoping for a March 2014 start to construction; CRL should be passed by the province by the end of 2013 with January 1, 2015 implementation; community rink supported by MacEwan University to programmed by the City and should include skate rentals; and new renderings of the Arena Entertainment District to be released soon. City Council to debate the Guaranteed Maximum Pricing (GMP) for the arena project later this month.
Speaking of Edmonton City Council, congratulations to our new Mayor, Don Iveson, and Ward 6 City Councillor Scott McKeen on their successful election bid! Scott is a previous DECL board member and part of EEDC’s Downtown Vibrancy Task Force, and Don Iveson lived in a loft downtown for several years before being elected to Council. We are pleased and excited to work with both ‘#yegdt lovers’ on downtown issues in the near future! Congrats to all of Edmonton’s new City Council!
Congrats to DECL Board Member Ian O’Donnell for being awarded Avenue Edmonton’s ‘Top 40 Under 40 2013‘ last week! Ian joins DECL President Chris Buyze who received the honour in 2010.
It’s gone from fall to winter in just a short few days. You know the holiday season is here when the annual Christmas on the Square Holiday Light-Up takes place and holiday sales start!
Media has been abuzz this week with the announcement of a 71-storey hotel and condo tower proposal just north of downtown at 101 Street and 105 Avenue. It would be the tallest building in Western Canada. There is quite a variety of opinion on the necessity of this tower, or questions about the ability of the applicant to successfully complete the project. “Downtown does not have a density problem” is one comment we’ve heard. Sustainable Planning publicly assured everyone that the application is in it’s infancy and there is plenty of time for feedback. We’d love to hear what you think of the proposal as we consider the application in the near future.
Omar Mouallem provided a troubling account of how the Molson/Crosstown proposal decision went down. A must read to understand how some of the City’s community consultation and decision making processes need to be improved.
Latitude 53 Gallery’s annual Schmoozy fundraiser gala is this Saturday, November 9, and the next Art Gallery of Alberta Refinery party is November 16
Remember – The City Market continues all winter in City Hall Saturdays, 9-3.
Fionn MacCool’s opened in Edmonton City Centre last week, and Cactus Club Cafe Jasper Avenue in the Devonian Building at 112 Street.

Last Friday’s River City Round-Up kicked off with the 23rd Annual Chili Cook-Off. This year’s set up was all outdoors on Churchill Square. The vibe was amazing due to great weather and how the event was organized. Every details was thought about – it looked great, lines went fast, heaters were provided everywhere, and the old-timey judging platform was a nice touch. Hope for something similar next year again – this is how you program Churchill Square well!

#Yegdt Notes – March 20, 2013

By Chris Buyze · March 20, 2013 at 8:37pm

In the midst of renovations to our new space, it seems there is a lot going on downtown these days. The next few years are going to be a really exciting (and sometimes challenging) time for the heart of our city!

Downtown Dining Week 2013 continues all week until Sunday (March 24) with lunch and dinner specials at most downtown restaurants. The reviews are pouring in.
After good discussion at the February meeting, the next meeting of ‘West Downtown Complete Streets‘, ie. bike lanes discussion, is March 28 at 7 pm, Oliver Hall.
DECL was pleased to meet some of our new downtown beat cops at our meeting last Thursday. Downtown now has 16 beat cops on rotation from 97 Street to 121 Street, with extra officers on patrol on the weekends.
Speaking of safety, reported crime downtown dropped 11% in 2012, and downtown Constable Candice Werestiuk was named ‘Top Cop of 2012‘. Check out the Edmonton Police Service’s crime map for regularly updated information.
Excited that the federal government announced $250m for much-needed Edmonton’s Valley (SE) LRT line as part of a ‘P3’ project. With the $800m commitment from Council, and $100m from the province’s GreenTrip program, this line is close to having all the funding needed to complete construction. Some preparations will happen in 2014, with construction full-steam ahead in 2015.
Premier Redford confirms today what we already knew – no new money for the downtown arena project.
Last week’s provincial budget was not all bad. NorQuest College received a funding commitment of $64m to move ahead with their campus expansion. This will fill up a large gap of urban fabric in the Warehouse Campus Area.
Happy 100th Birthday Edmonton Public Library! For its centennial year, the library will be offering free library cards. We think that’s pretty cool!
Edmonton will play host to the ‘Transforming & Revitalizing Downtown Summit‘ June 12-14. This conference features ‘national and international speakers’ and is the first time this it will take place in Western Canada. This is one of many events EEDC plans that week that will focus on downtown. More details will be released in the coming weeks!
As mentioned last time, Spacing Magazine is coming to Edmonton. Mark your calendars – Spacing Edmonton launch party is April 4 at The Common!

Sneak peak of DECL’s 103 Street space under construction!

Women Building Futures continues to quietly work away in our downtown, “program has graduated 600 since 1998”
Celebrate ‘Earth Hour‘ this weekend! Edmontonians reduced their power consumption by 3.4% in 2012.
North side of the Jasper Avenue New Vision Project should be completed by early April. A headache for everyone, this complicated construction project is reported to be back on track.
First a JOEY restaurant was rumoured for downtown, now there is reliable information that The Keg has selected a location as well.
You know spring is around the corner when the food trucks are back downtown!

#Yegdt Notes – Feburary 13, 2013

By Chris Buyze · February 13, 2013 at 11:06pm

Our City Council and administration have been busy the last few weeks. Thus, lots for us to report on (as our own busy renovation preparations preoccupy us!). We’re also making up for 2 weeks worth of news and events!

Alley of Light’s second annual IllumiNITE is this weekend! Join us on the 4th Street Promenade on Saturday and Sunday, 5-10 pm for light art, an ice bar, pop-up store, and more! After the success of last year’s festival, we are pleased to partner with this great winter event again this year. The weather this year plans to be much warmer!
DECL was pleased to receive our development and building permits last week for our new space! Renovations should commence in the next few weeks, fingers crossed for an early spring move-in!
Job No 134911759-001: To change the Use from a Minor Eating and Drinking Establishment to a Community Recreation Services Use (Downtown Edmonton Community League).
10040 – 103 STREET NW
Plan 3136KS Blk 3 Lot 70
Also last week, the City released a report concerning potential downtown arena spin-off benefits. As much as $1 Billion in construction impact, $100m in extra taxes is the economic impact of the new downtown arena, says city economist John Rose.
There is much talk this week about bike infrastructure in our city. While the suburbs worry about losing parking due to construction of new bike lanes (which research suggests they shouldn’t), we are working with local organizations to advocate for quality dedicated bike lanes in the core. Join the Edmonton Bicycle Commuters Society, Oliver Community League and DECL on February 27 at Oliver Hall (10326 118 St) 7-9 pm for a discussion and workshop on creating better balance on our streets for all modalities.
There was also a surprise (and somewhat shocking!) suggestion from Council this week that the Rossdale Power Plant may be demolished if funding can’t be found to preserve it. We think Council needs to take more time to really consider if this is the best course of action. A beautiful heritage building of that caliber and quality does not come Credit union agent along often. Let’s repair the roof and stabilize the structure now, even if we can’t afford to convert into something useful right away. The building is special and deserves to be preserved.
The City released the names for the Potential LRT Network – Capital, Metro, Valley, Energy, and Festival lines. While there was some griping initially, there is an argument to why simpler is better.
The provincial government wants to know what people think of condo living. Take a survey on the future of the Alberta Condo Act until April 2.
Arts Habitat and Artists Urban Village is planning a 64-unit residence in the Quarters (the second major development to be announced). This will compliment the revitalization happening in the area and give more options for artists to stay close to our ‘arts & cultural district’
In case you missed it, the ‘shorter’ version of Dub Architect’s Bellamy Hill condo proposal was approved by Council on January 21.
Delnor Construction has been selected to complete renovations to Telus House, “Telus and ATB will band the building with a giant digital, high-resolution screen that will display corporate and community messages.”
Latitude 53’s second annual ‘Parka Patio Party‘ is coming up soon on February 23. Tickets are selling fast, join us for your last chance to experience Latitude’s rooftop patio before they move locations!
If you missed last Saturday’s inaugural ‘Mercer Collective, A Maker’s Market‘ in the Mercer Building, your next chance is March 16.
Omar Mouallem wrote a lovely piece on Edmonton. As we approach Valentine’s Day, he makes the case for why he’s in love with our city.
Speaking of Valentine’s Day, if you have no plans, the City has plans for you. ‘Disco Skate‘ takes place at City Hall, February 14, 4-7 pm.
What seemed like a bit of an ‘advertorial’ is really a story we should be telling more. The Long Island Pulse Magazine did a good job of highlighting the things we like about Edmonton.
Walk Score thinks downtown is tops: a ‘Walker’s Paradise‘. Close to amenities for sure, but some of our sidewalks need love!

As always, we’d love to hear from downtown residents your thoughts on these or any other issue. Drop us a line at my_decl@telus.net!