Municipal Politics

[policyenthusiast]

I completely and wholeheartedly disagree. The ICE District almost in solo fashion has made Edmonton downtown come alive. Adding to that with more ventures in the entertainment/hospitality space is paramount to success. Without Katz there is no ICE district (and thinking back likely no NHL team either); without ICE District downtown Edmonton would be a barren, shuttered place; without a downtown Edmonton would have zero oomph on almost any level.

I don't think the article argues that the ICE District isn't critical to Downtown. I think it's more of a criticism of the way the Province has decided to restrict the funding arrangement.

 

[kcantor]

I completely and wholeheartedly disagree. The ICE District almost in solo fashion has made Edmonton downtown come alive. Adding to that with more ventures in the entertainment/hospitality space is paramount to success. Without Katz there is no ICE district (and thinking back likely no NHL team either); without ICE District downtown Edmonton would be a barren, shuttered place; without a downtown Edmonton would have zero oomph on almost any level.

There were other sites and other proposals for a downtown arena - including one on the post office site and one for the quarters - that were quite well developed and feasible. Kudos to OEG and Daryl Katz for taking the idea and running with it but it needs to be remembered that he has profited handsomely - and continues to - from that decisions and from the considerable leverage provided to him by the CRL and by the City lease for Edmonton Tower etc. etc. etc.

 

[David A]

I completely and wholeheartedly disagree. The ICE District almost in solo fashion has made Edmonton downtown come alive. Adding to that with more ventures in the entertainment/hospitality space is paramount to success. Without Katz there is no ICE district (and thinking back likely no NHL team either); without ICE District downtown Edmonton would be a barren, shuttered place; without a downtown Edmonton would have zero oomph on almost any level.

I suppose it is hypothetical to say what downtown would be like without ICE District, but I also feel it would be more bleak. Restaurants and bars downtown have been one of the few bright spots over the last several years and without the events, probably a number would not be around.

A common and easy criticism is to try demonize someone because they are well off, instead of focusing on whether what is being done will benefit the area or not. Its part of the fake populism now so often pedaled by by our US controlled local media that you might expect in the Sun, but the Journal really is the same thing now, owned by the same company. Standards have slipped.

 

[Gus Haynes]

The Journal has done more than enough boosterism for the Ice District project. Consider how many columns David Staples devoted to boosting the concept of a deal before it happened! The occasional rebuttal piece is fine, imo.

 

[Greenspace]

Andy Grabia was the lone dissenting voice at Committee last week, and actively campaigned against the original arena deal.

 

[Gronk!]

Michael Janz looks like Elon Musk next to Andy Grabia. And as we all know, Janz is a hardcore NDPer who hates private enterprise.

 

[archited]

There were other sites and other proposals for a downtown arena - including one on the post office site and one for the quarters - that were quite well developed and feasible.

Ah yes, but Daryl had the NHL team that made the whole scheme feasible and he brought along a major hotel group and a major office component. In short, he had the Royal Flush. And now he has the earned experience to make the next 3-building phase viable.with entertainment and housing. Is he wealthy? -- if I had his money I would burn mine. Is someone else going to step in and one-up the guy? As my father used to say "hope" in one hand and "s4!t" in the other and see which gets filled first.

 

[David A]

Ah yes, but Daryl had the NHL team that made the whole scheme feasible and he brought along a major hotel group and a major office component. In short, he had the Royal Flush. And now he has the earned experience to make the next 3-building phase viable.with entertainment and housing. Is he wealthy? -- if I had his money I would burn mine. Is someone else going to step in and one-up the guy? As my father used to say "hope" in one hand and "s4!t" in the other and see which gets filled first.

Yes, there were probably others with ideas, plans or locations, but they did not step up and make it work perhaps either because their plans were not as good or they did not commit the funds.

 

[TAS]

Ryan Jespersen Show ended today with him saying 'a recognizable politician with a big announcement' will be on the show tomorrow morning.

Him using word 'recognizable' makes me wonder if it's a former politican or current.

Not sure if municipal or federal.

 

[JaayJR]

Sarah Hamilton is making an announcement tomorrow. I imagine it will be her. She's announcing her intentions for the municipal election.

 

[trevorhayden]

I hope she runs for mayor and splits the conservative vote

 

[policyenthusiast]

I hope she runs for mayor and splits the conservative vote

That would be a misstep, in my opinion. She has a reasonably secure position representing her ward, and the main reason Cartmell is the frontrunner for the mayoral election is that no other candidates are qualified enough.

 

[David A]

For those of us who are not fond of Cartmell and have tired of the current mayor, it would be good to have some other viable choices.

 

[JaayJR]

Hamilton announced she is not seeking re-election. She hinted running provincially isn't off the table. Glad to see her on the way out.

 

[policyenthusiast]

For those of us who are not fond of Cartmell and have tired of the current mayor, it would be good to have some other viable choices.

Likewise. Sohi, Cartmell and Caterina are not ideal candidates.

I just dread what the new council will look like (even one PACE member is far too many)