Edmonton City Council has voted unanimously in favour of the expropriation and future demolition of twenty properties located along a 30-block stretch of Stony Plain Road from 121 St NW to 151 St NW. Necessary to make way for the upcoming construction of the Valley Line LRT, the news has been met with a mix of acceptance and anger by area residents and business owners.
Covering a 3.6 km stretch of Stony Plain Road (above), the planned expropriation of twenty properties will be spread across a fairly significant distance, though for those directly effected, the reality of a forced relocation has been a challenge.
Among the heaviest hit by the decision, Liquor International, located at the westernmost stretch of the expropriation zone at 151 St NW and Stony Plain Rd, will be forced to move, though to exactly where remains unclear owing to a city bylaw which places strict 500-metre proximity limits on stores selling alcohol.
Further east, a collection of four businesses (above) between 143 St NW and 142 St SW along Stony Plain Rd are also slated for expropriation and demolition, including National Audio Video and Glenora Chiropractic and Physiotherapy Clinic.
Further in, towards the eastern edge of the zone, Glenora residents will be sure to miss Western Cycle (above), which has occupied the corner of 124 St NW and Stony Plain Rd for 83 years. Necessary owing to the scope of the project, the expropriations and demolitions will eventually make way for the new LRT line which is slated to open in 2024.
Let us know what you think of the City's expropriation plan in the comments section below!