IanO
Superstar
How long does Winners stick around for? The writing is on the wall...
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Edmonton City Centre Mall (Renovations) | ?m | 2s | LaSalle Investment Management
- Thread starter Daveography
- Start date
Calfaer
New Member
Hmm some mixed feelings for this. I really disliked waiting for a bus at that location. It smelled terrible (cigarettes, weed, urine, who knows what else) and always had people in some sort of fights or screaming matches during rush hour.
In an ideal world, that would be a great bus stop since it's covered and you can wait indoors during colder weather, but it encouraged a lot of loitering and perceived safety issues. While it obviously was uncomfortable to wait for a bus there, I never personally had any actual issues occur apart from the occasional person trying to talk to you and ask you for things.
While moving a bus stop down a block is obviously not going to magically solve all the social issues that downtown and Edmonton face, I wonder if it has any impact on "diluting" the problem by removing one gathering spot? Not sure if I'm expressing that idea right or if it has any merit, but just a thought.
David A
Senior Member
Yeah, there is a whole mix of problems here. I often used that entrance, while I did not always feel comfortable going by because of the rough looking loiterers (likely some engaging in or experienced in criminal activity), I did not feel that unsafe. Maybe its important to distinguish these two things.
However, it must be quite frustrating for business owners and the people who manage the mall to have to deal with all this, in addition it is a deterrent to and keeps away some customers.
I'm afraid the best solution in this case was actually what was done - closing this entrance and bus stop. The only other solution I would advocate is very radical and I am sure get negative push back - send every homeless person in Edmonton to Riverbend and Glenora to wonder around door to door there. Sadly, until people will power and money are affected directly by these problems, things will probably not change much.
IanO
Superstar
Hearing that Winners is leaving as well.
occidentalcapital
Senior Member
People with power and money are being affected by it. They are refusing to make investments, shop, live, or in some cases work in DT.
Don't have them walk around Glenora or Riverbend, rather send them to Calgary to all the ministers' ridings.
Don't have them walk around Glenora or Riverbend, rather send them to Calgary to all the ministers' ridings.
David A
Senior Member
Unfortunately I doubt they are that much affected by it. They are quite comfortable in their virtual gated communities and probably seldom venture downtown because of all of the "problems".
It's not just an Edmonton problem. Calgary's downtown has similar challenges, but with a more robust retail and business sector has been able to manage them a bit better so far.
It's not just an Edmonton problem. Calgary's downtown has similar challenges, but with a more robust retail and business sector has been able to manage them a bit better so far.
IanO
Superstar
Also, Calgary's mall last Saturday was quite busy and had a very 'normal' feel and crowd.
David A
Senior Member
While I have travelled to other places, I haven't been to Calgary for some time. I based my last comment on reading a number of things like this various Calgary news.
The disorder and safety concerns are obviously there too. Maybe Calgarians are braver than here.
Downtown businesses, Calgary police meet to begin 'collaborative approach' to safety issues
The Downton Business Association held a town hall with Calgary police this week to discuss how they can address public safety.
calgaryherald.com
Greenspace
Senior Member
^They are not 'braver', the average Calgarian has a more vested interest in their Downtown as the main employment node of the city. They had a lot going before COVID retail-wise, a much bigger Downtown size-wise and as a percentage of the workforce in the city.
David A
Senior Member
I can understand having to come downtown to work during the week, unless they can still work at home, but if they are coming on Saturday despite all the social disorder and problems (which are quite publicized in Calgary also), I would reassert they are in fact braver.
Hmm, if this is legit then it's really starting to feel death spiral-ly.
husky
Active Member
Is there something else planned for that end of the mall that would require those anchors to vacate or is the reality just that bad?
kcantor
Senior Member
i’m not sure that calgarians are braver… i would assert it is more likely that there are more destinations attracting more people and the more people there are the safer they are (and/or the higher their perceptions of safety are). destinations attract people and people make destinations successful. and that of course becomes a self fulfilling prophesy, just as the opposite can also be self fulfilling.
Oliver_William
New Member
According to this article no new investment to the city center mall until the disorder and other issues are corrected.
edmonton.ctvnews.ca
Sport Chek pulls out of Edmonton City Centre as mall highlights 'significant safety issues'
One of the biggest tenants in Edmonton City Centre (ECC) mall is closing its doors for good.
IanO
Superstar
There are more than a few major Downtown landlords, owners, investment companies and decision makers who quite honestly are appalled with the state of Downtown Edmonton and are reluctant to proceed with major investments in the hundreds of millions of clams until things improve.
I'm sure that you can use your imagination, but it's not too hard to figure out who and where these might be for many are planned, rumoured or even previous public announcements.
This includes retail, office podiums, hotels and residential asset classes.
I'm sure that you can use your imagination, but it's not too hard to figure out who and where these might be for many are planned, rumoured or even previous public announcements.
This includes retail, office podiums, hotels and residential asset classes.
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