I have a strong feeling that the 21st century is Edmonton's turn, especially if we take the lead on economic diversification (as we should).
TOURISM
We can be a tourist destination if certain things are done right and some will take years to complete.
1) Klondike Days could be a 2 week long festival full of costumes, parades, parties, booze and naughtiness down old Strathcona just like in New Orleans but with a gold rush theme. Make it nationally known as Canada's Mardi Gras.
2) Our river valley and ravine are gorgeous. Trails of beautiful nature. Our central park.
3) Steamboats taking guests out on our River during the summer. When the water is the least murky .
4) Jasper avenue revitalization project will spruce up our main street. More shopping, cafes, more people. More towers. More residents.
5) Elk Island National Park. Promote and improve it. Buses from downtown to the park during a stretch of summer. The wildlife.. amazing.. star gazing
6) Prairie Sky Gondolas over the river valley and the High Level Bridge plan for a park above it in addition to the streetcar crossing .
7) Promote Edmonton as the gateway to the beauty of Jasper National Park. Inexpensive packages for buses to and from, lodging , the icefields. Inexpensive train tickets to and from. Long term - high speed train or an alternative highway that was once proposed. (Shaves an hour off the travel time)
8) Our festivals. Make them bigger and better. Food,Fringe, Blues, Jazz
9) Gardens in Devon - expand- our Buttchart - Chartered buses to and from downtown.
10) RAM, Art Gallery , Citadel, Winspear. Make a package to experience them all.
11) WEM but renovate the exterior first. So much there. Amusement Park etc.
12) Fort Edmonton
So many more ideas. People will want to experience our best. We have to work and build on our strengths.
The potential is there and it can be done.
Long post and I can move to a more appropriate thread.