Downtown

[Greenspace]

Sure but they represent a lot of employers, unions, students and employees and trying to do what’s best for Downtown. Doesn’t mean other peoples opinions are not worth listening to. They have an outsized authority to express concerns on behalf of their membership.

 

[Kosy123]

Maybe this will lead to more people taking the lrt from the south via capital or valley line - many people do it already.

I liked several of the things Watson advocated for during her campaign. Disagreed with her on the LRT, which was a big one.

People having differences of opinion and perspectives sparks good debate and helps with decision making, or should.
She was always respectful. And she is clearly still engaged in Edmonton (I would say the most of the losing mayoralty contenders from last time) in terms of her involvement on current city issues. She speaks at council and is involved in various initiatives.
Overall, I'm glad she's still advocating for Edmonton.

Peak LRT ridership seems to be busy, from my own personal experience, coming in from the south. I don't expect that to go down at all and will probably keep going higher. More LRT safety measures would be welcome to divert some of the gridlocked motorists to the train.

As for Watson, yeah some of her ideas were things I could get behind, the LRT was just something that was non-negotiable for me. The best thing for downtown would just be more people being spewed by transit into the core, both for foot traffic visibility and transit mode visibility.

 

[David A]

Maybe this will lead to more people taking the lrt from the south via capital or valley line - many people do it already.

It probably will and I find this sort of apocalyptic whining from a privileged elite who probably can't fathom getting anywhere other than by their car very off putting.

 

[Greenspace]

This would be for switching the lab to tenant amenity space on the second floor (Standard Life):

10405 - JASPER AVENUE NW Plan NB Blk 4 Lots 63-64 - Major Development Permit​

External ID
566908482-002
Job Type
Major Development Permit
Description
To change the Use from a Health Service to Minor Indoor Entertainment.
Applicant
RPK ARCHITECTS
Status
No DP Required
Class of Permit
No Development Permit Required
Create Date
February 12, 2025
Approval Date

Location
10405 - JASPER AVENUE NW Plan NB Blk 4 Lots 63-64
Neighbourhood
DOWNTOWN

 

[Greenspace]

Former Suya House location:

10018 - 106 STREET NW Plan NB Blk 6 Lot 73 - Major Development Permit​

External ID
566212227-002
Job Type
Major Development Permit
Description
To increase the interior Public Space of a Bar to 131 m2 (maximum 100 seats) and to construct interior alterations
Applicant
MIKITECTURE
Status
No DP Required
Class of Permit

Create Date
February 10, 2025
Approval Date

Location
10018 - 106 STREET NW Plan NB Blk 6 Lot 73
Neighbourhood
DOWNTOWN

 

[thommyjo]

I really hope so but the data doesn't point to that. There would have to be a huge shift, and LRT safety would have to improve.

I wonder if they did free LRT and upped security if that would land well with people? Shows some effort to provide alternatives during construction. Add a new BRT with park and ride too?

I think we have to get a new HLB built asap. High speed rail, LRT, and 3-4 lanes of traffic (BRT for 4th maybe?).

Keep the old bridge for the high level line.

 

[TAS]

Gonna get roasted for this, but maybe temporary free parking on evenings and weekends would help balance the disruption?

Or do like Canmore did. Got rid of a lot of free parking in its core and used the money to provide free transit instead!

Rates continue to rise.

“For paid parking, it’s one of the biggest ways to get money from non-residents that come use all of our parking and roads. This is one way we use to fund transit. … It would generate more revenue, which would help increase our transit options,” said Coun. Jeff Hilstad

Canmore’s local public transit system is free for all people.

Beyond Local: Canmore's peak season paid parking could hit $5 an hour

An increase in paid parking could be coming later this year in Canmore.

www.stalbertgazette.com

I'd rather see free transit in Edmonton than free parking.
I'll just say it myself- bingo!

 

[kcantor]

While I applaud DRC’s goals, I have seen too many decades of the City not really caring about accessibility for cars or buses or pedestrians when it comes to public and private construction, particularly downtown. to think there will be much progress.

Perhaps it would be easier to simply adopt a new city motto, something along the lines of “This is Edmonton, you can’t get there from here” regardless of where there is or where here is.

 

[Oilguy]

Or do like Canmore did. Got rid of a lot of free parking in its core and used the money to provide free transit instead!

Rates continue to rise.

“For paid parking, it’s one of the biggest ways to get money from non-residents that come use all of our parking and roads. This is one way we use to fund transit. … It would generate more revenue, which would help increase our transit options,” said Coun. Jeff Hilstad

Canmore’s local public transit system is free for all people.

Beyond Local: Canmore's peak season paid parking could hit $5 an hour

An increase in paid parking could be coming later this year in Canmore.

www.stalbertgazette.com

I'd rather see free transit in Edmonton than free parking.
I'll just say it myself- bingo!

I’m not sure this is apples to apples. There was no room left downtown Canmore for parking and high congestion, so they did it then. Edmonton doesn’t attract people downtown and needs to, so all levers should be considered. Free on street parking, free transit too, why not, whatever it takes to bring people down.

 

[TAS]

I’m not sure this is apples to apples. There was no room left downtown Canmore for parking and high congestion, so they did it then. Edmonton doesn’t attract people downtown and needs to, so all levers should be considered. Free on street parking, free transit too, why not, whatever it takes to bring people down.

I was thinking while driving dt is going to be a mess, provide a free transportation alternative, not encourage even more congestion problems by providing free parking. Free transit does mean reduced revenues and keeping paid parking helps maintain revenue.

Canmore had climate goals and they noticed more locals not going dt supporting businesses because of traffic congestion problems. So they provided free transit - an easier, more efficient and climate friendlier way for people to get dt. And.... it worked. Transit ridership increased beyond projections and now they are increasing service. More locals are going dt supporting businesses. Tourists pay for the parking and in turn, the free transit.
Canmore went all in on transit and active transportation the last few years by building new bike and pedestrian routes and investing in making transit a better experience including new bus shelters with art and better seating etc. One of Canmore's administrators said at last year's winter cycling conference in Edmonton that their goal was to make transit feel like a Cadillac experience.
They also prioritized winter maintenance of active transportation routes to keep that as a year long viable option.

 

[Kosy123]

Do we also have any data that guesses the mode of transportation that people who go downtown take? I’d argue most post-secondary students use transit, live nearby or even bike. Curious what office workers are like.

But from my experience public sector wise, you’d have to be a manager or higher to have access to complimentary “free” parking unless you’re willing to shell out 200-300 monthly for those parking lots.

 

[buildings]

you know that there really isn't any "free" parking and transit. someone pays, should be the user.

 

[TAS]

you know that there really isn't any "free" parking and transit. someone pays, should be the user.

From the Canmore mayor John Borrowman in 2019:

"Parking has never been free. It's always been a cost that has been borne by the local taxpayer: the cost of providing that infrastructure and maintaining it," he said. "With paid parking and those paid parking revenues going toward our transit fares, our visitors are helping to pay for those costs, rather than 100 per cent of them coming from local residents."

 

[Barnaby]

you know that there really isn't any "free" parking and transit. someone pays, should be the user.

Users don't exclusively pay for roads. Roads, transit, and many other things are directly subsidized by property taxes.

End users paying directly for their choice of transit would be great. I'm completely in favour of fare gates and tolls on transit, but I'm also wildly in favour of toll roads.

 

[Gronk!]

Street parking should be free during evenings and weekends except for Rogers Place events (NHL hockey, concerts), otherwise just keep things as-is.
It's such a fair and brilliant idea that even a 12-year-old child can come up with.