Speaking Municipally

A proposal to use Downtown CRL funding for office to residential conversions could delay other important projects, and we dig into recent updates on Blatchford.

Here are the relevant links for this episode:

Downtown pedestrianization

• New pedestrian plan to promote engagement in the Downtown core
• Downtown Pedestrianization Plan (PDF)

Office conversions

• Edmonton may use renewal funds for office to residential conversions

Police funding

• Capital Budget Adjustments

Event attraction

• Motion discussing event funding boost gets unanimous support from committee at Edmonton City Hall

Blatchford update

• StreetSide Developments coming to Blatchford
• Executive committee update

Private tech project

• Edmonton eyes $8 million for undisclosed technology in 2024 budget
• Keith Gerein: Big tax hike signals the kickoff to Edmonton's next municipal election

Top 40

• Top 40 Under 40 2023

Alberta insurance

• Good drivers to benefit from auto insurance changes

Latta Bridge

• PSA: Latta Bridge reopens on schedule, on budget and in time for the NHL Heritage Classic

Hangar 14

• Just listed: Edmonton puts Hangar 14, home of the Alberta Aviation Museum, up for sale

Speaking Municipally is produced by Taproot Edmonton, a source of curiosity-driven original stories, curated newsletters on various topics, and locally focused podcasts, all in the service of informing Edmontonians about what is going on in their community. Sign up to get The Pulse, our weekday news briefing. It's free!

The Valley Line Southeast LRT will begin passenger service on Nov. 4, and there's going to be a party. Plus, we discuss the more than two dozen subsequent motions made following approval of the new zoning bylaw.

Here are the relevant links for this episode:

Valley Line Southeast LRT

• News Release: Valley Line Southeast LRT opening November 4
• Edmonton's Valley Line Southeast LRT set to open Nov. 4

Zoning Bylaw Renewal

• News Release: Edmonton has a new rulebook for development for the first time in 60 years
• Edmonton's proposed zoning bylaw passes at city council
• 27 subsequent motions (PDF)

Climate concern

• News Release: Climate change top-of-mind for Edmontonians

Office conversions

• Urban planning committee for Oct. 31
• Downtown Calgary Development Incentive Program pausing application intake
• Office Space — 99 Percent Invisible, Episode 551

Hydrogen buses

• News Release: The Edmonton Metropolitan Region drives forward on hydrogen innovation

Edmonton effect

• 1st snowfall of season means delays, collisions on Edmonton-area roads

Pride tape

• NHL backtracks on Pride Tape ban, will allow players to represent social causes

Speaking Municipally is produced by Taproot Edmonton, a source of curiosity-driven original stories, curated newsletters on various topics, and locally focused podcasts, all in the service of informing Edmontonians about what is going on in their community. Sign up to get The Pulse, our weekday news briefing. It's free!

Taproot's new reporter, Stephanie Swensrude, joins the show. We discuss transit for youth, downtown retail, and of course, the Zoning Bylaw Renewal.

Here are the relevant links for this episode:

Stephanie Swensrude

• Stephanie Swensrude
• LinkedIn

Youth transit

• Fare Policy Amendment — Children Under 12

Downtown retail

• Grants attract three indie retailers to downtown Edmonton

Zoning Bylaw Renewal

• City council hears pros, cons of proposed Edmonton zoning bylaw changes from residents
• Edmonton zoning public hearing gets heated as opponents speak
• Edmonton's zoning bylaw falls short on climate action, affordable housing, opponents tell council

Bike lanes

• A moment in history: Oct. 18, 1973

The Mindbender

• Here's what's left of West Edmonton Mall's Mindbender

Pension plan

• Trudeau attacks pitch to take Alberta out of CPP in open letter to Danielle Smith

Speaking Municipally is produced by Taproot Edmonton, a source of curiosity-driven original stories, curated newsletters on various topics, and locally focused podcasts, all in the service of informing Edmontonians about what is going on in their community. Sign up to get The Pulse, our weekday news briefing. It's free!

This week, we cover transit improvements for youth and winter, more funding for snow and ice clearing, the latest on the Valley Line LRT, and tennis vs. pickleball.

Here are the relevant links for this episode:

Transit stuff

• Edmonton transit needs to be safer and more reliable for youth: survey
• Edmonton spent $350K to replace 1600 busted bus shelter panels last year

Snow clearing

• Edmonton mayor suggests reinjecting $5M to snow and ice budget to improve access to transit

Rally for the Road

• City funds website to help Stony Plain Road businesses amidst Valley Line West LRT construction
• Rally for the Road

Valley Line LRT

• TransEd's tweet
• Train testing complete on Edmonton's Valley Line LRT route

Voting block

• Data shows six councillors form dominant Edmonton City Council voting block

Tennis courts

• Saville Tennis Centre opens in Edmonton with year-round courts

Falling concrete

• Concrete cladding falls off downtown Edmonton building, city enacts emergency closures

Mask directive

• AHS adopts enhanced masking directive for acute care sites

Oilers loss

• GAME RECAP: Canucks 8, Oilers 1

This episode was sponsored by Coun. Michael Janz, the University of Alberta, and MADE (that's Media Architecture Design Edmonton). Curbing Traffic: An Evening with Chris Bruntlett takes place on Oct. 19 in Edmonton, with a discussion about what other places have done to build cycling cities. Tickets are $15 each, but you can get in for $5 by using the offer code TAPROOT, while supplies last.

Speaking Municipally is produced by Taproot Edmonton, a source of curiosity-driven original stories, curated newsletters on various topics, and locally focused podcasts, all in the service of informing Edmontonians about what is going on in their community. Sign up to get The Pulse, our weekday news briefing. It's free!

The Edmonton Federation of Community Leagues has endorsed a position in support of the Zoning Bylaw Renewal. Executive director Laura Cunningham-Shpeley joins us to discuss how the EFCL came to that position and what it means for community leagues across the city.

Here are the relevant links for this episode:

EFCL

• Laura Cunningham-Shpeley on LinkedIn
• Edmonton Sun 20 Questions: EFCL's Laura Cunningham-Shpeley

Zoning Bylaw Renewal

• Zoning Bylaw Renewal Initiative
• How Edmonton's zoning renewal could be a boon for newcomers
• 5 things to know about Edmonton's big zoning renewal — and how you can have your say
• June 2023: Opposition to zoning bylaw renewal draws writer into the fray

Compensating businesses

• Edmonton considering compensating businesses constricted by construction following tight vote
• 2018: Montreal to compensate businesses affected by construction

We ❤️ Nickelback

• Nickelback to play at NHL Heritage Classic in Edmonton

Youth on transit

• Youth in Edmonton think transit could be safer and faster: survey

Estabrooks runs

• Edmonton Public School Board chair will run for federal NDP

This episode was sponsored by Edmonton Startup Week, which returns Oct. 10-14. Five days of workshops, socials, and events building momentum and opportunity around our city's unique entrepreneurial identity, startup community, and culture of innovation! Build your schedule today.

Speaking Municipally is produced by Taproot Edmonton, a source of curiosity-driven original stories, curated newsletters on various topics, and locally focused podcasts, all in the service of informing Edmontonians about what is going on in their community. Sign up to get The Pulse, our weekday news briefing. It's free!

We've got details about how Boyle Street will operate for the next year, prior to their new space opening. Plus, the police perception survey found that 57% of Edmontonians are satisfied with the Edmonton Police Service and feel they’re doing a good job.

Here are the relevant links for this episode:

Blatchford station

• City council mulls keeping Blatchford LRT station closed until neighbourhood fills out
• Troy's tweet
• Blatchford Community's tweet

Valley Line LRT audit

• City still looking for answers from TransEd after Valley Line LRT audit

Boyle Street

• Boyle Street moving services across four locations as it waits for new facility
• Boyle Street relocation causes confusion, anxiety in Edmonton's unhoused
• Our New Locations

Police perception survey

• Edmontonians trust police despite growing crime rate, survey for police commission suggests

Old Strathcona crime

• Business community in Edmonton's Old Strathcona calling on task force to improve safety

Zoning Bylaw Renewal

• Zoning Bylaw Renewal Initiative
• Zoning overhaul will help meet growing demand for housing in Edmonton, developers say

Pension consultations

• Alberta NDP launches own public consultation on pensions

AGI DOOM

• Tech pioneers partner to create artificial general intelligence by 2030

This episode was sponsored by Edmonton Startup Week, which returns Oct. 10-14. Five days of workshops, socials, and events building momentum and opportunity around our city's unique entrepreneurial identity, startup community, and culture of innovation! Build your schedule today.

Speaking Municipally is produced by Taproot Edmonton, a source of curiosity-driven original stories, curated newsletters on various topics, and locally focused podcasts, all in the service of informing Edmontonians about what is going on in their community. Sign up to get The Pulse, our weekday news briefing. It's free!

This week, council heard about the vast majority of parking lots downtown being unpermitted.  And, true to form, they decided to do something about it later! Plus, we get the scoop on Edmonton Design Week.

Here are the relevant links for this episode:

Edmonton Design Week

• Edmonton Design Week 2023
• Email us your answers to the trivia questions before our next episode to be entered to win a pass to design week!

Surface parking

• Ninety per cent of central Edmonton surface parking lots do not have permits: city staff
• 2009 ABCA 65 (CanLII) | Emeric Holdings Inc. v. Edmonton (City) | CanLII
• Ashley Salvador: Unpermitted Parking Lots Shouldn't Get a Free Pass

Complete streets

• On the agenda: Surface parking lots, Metro Line to Blatchford, and funding transit growth

Transit funding

• Transit in Edmonton needs more stable funding for the future, councillors say
• On the agenda: Surface parking lots, Metro Line to Blatchford, and funding transit growth

Villeneuve Airport Area

• Sturgeon wins appeal to develop Villeneuve Airport Area

Crime conference

• Edmonton conference looks to data to determine how to tackle crime

U of A growth

• New U of A plan calls for enrolment to grow by 16K more students by 2030

Hydrogen EVs

• Danielle Smith has embraced the electric vehicle. No, not the EV you're thinking of

This episode was sponsored by Edmonton Startup Week, which returns Oct. 10-14. Five days of workshops, socials, and events building momentum and opportunity around our city's unique entrepreneurial identity, startup community, and culture of innovation! Build your schedule today.

Speaking Municipally is produced by Taproot Edmonton, a source of curiosity-driven original stories, curated newsletters on various topics, and locally focused podcasts, all in the service of informing Edmontonians about what is going on in their community. Sign up to get The Pulse, our weekday news briefing. It's free!

The province and EPS held a press conference to issue a new ban on crime. That'll fix it. Plus, Boyle Street will be out of its location on Sept. 30, and the city will be short just over $70M this year.

Here are the relevant links for this episode:

Boyle Street

• Boyle Street to alter services ahead of Edmonton Oilers-led development
• Boyle Street Community Services to leave location near Rogers Place this month
• Keith Gerein's tweet
• Boyle Street's looming closure begs community to question: Do Edmonton's most vulnerable matter?
• 'This place helps so many people': Edmontonians react to Boyle Street building closure
• Keith Gerein: Boyle Street's closure a mess that didn't need to happen

Zero tolerance

• News Release: Zero tolerance for crime
• Edmonton police chief explains how new 'zero tolerance' rules will play out on city streets
• Alberta government introduces new public safety protocols aimed at addressing crime concerns
• Open-air drug use, escalating violence and disorder underline EPS Safer Public Spaces approach

Budget deficit

• On the agenda: Operating deficits, capital spending, and another Oliver tower
• City of Edmonton forecasts $73.8 million deficit in 2023 operating budget
• City staff will 'curb and watch' discretionary spending to offset projected $73.8 million year-end deficit

Surface parking

• There are 275 surface parking lots in downtown Edmonton, most without permits

Affordable housing

• News Release: Affordable housing units receive upgrade

Climate and housing

• Task force led by Lisa Raitt, Don Iveson aims to bridge climate, housing issues

Valley Line LRT

• Delays aside, are Edmonton drivers ready for the new Valley Line?

This episode was sponsored by the Edmonton Community Foundation, which presents Wills Week from Oct. 2 to 6. Wills Week is a series of free online and in-person seminars from Alberta wills and estates lawyers on the importance of having an up-to-date will. Learn more and register for the free event.

Speaking Municipally is produced by Taproot Edmonton, a source of curiosity-driven original stories, curated newsletters on various topics, and locally focused podcasts, all in the service of informing Edmontonians about what is going on in their community. Sign up to get The Pulse, our weekday news briefing. It's free!

The 170 Street pedestrian bridge to West Edmonton Mall is done, and allegedly the Valley Line LRT will be done soon too. Plus, the northeast river valley park will open later this month.

Here are the relevant links for this episode:

170 Street Pedestrian Bridge

• News Release: New pedestrian bridge connects people, places and communities
• Speaking Municipally Trailer

Valley Line LRT

• Sept. 7, 2023: NEWS RELEASE — TransEd Valley Line LRT
• Valley line LRT cable replacement complete, fall opening anticipated

Photo radar

• City of Edmonton loses final appeal of ruling forcing it to pay its drivers' photo radar and red light tickets
• Court decision

Single-use items

• Most businesses compliant with Edmonton's single-use item policy, city says
• Utility Committee: Sept. 5, 2023
• Food Roundup: Sept. 5, 2023

Edmonton parks

• PSA: City of Edmonton announces opening date and event for new Northeast River Valley Park
• New river valley park to open later this month
• Pick-a-Park with City Council
• Episode 67 — The Best Playground Ever — Let's Find Out
• Live Show Sep 21: How to Make a National Park — Let's Find Out

Elks smoke

• CFL Players Association questions why Labour Day game went ahead despite poor air quality

School zones

• PSA: Back to school season begins
• Back to school: EPS promises more enforcement in school zones

War Room

• Alberta's 'war room' is back with massive ad spend revealed in annual report

Speaking Municipally is produced by Taproot Edmonton, a source of curiosity-driven original stories, curated newsletters on various topics, and locally focused podcasts, all in the service of informing Edmontonians about what is going on in their community. Sign up to get The Pulse, our weekday news briefing. It's free!

The Coalition for Justice and Human Rights is taking legal action to stop the city's clearing of encampments. Plus, we discuss gaps in transit service, the new Edge Fund, development along 99 Street, and the cost of urban sprawl.

Here are the relevant links for this episode:

Transit gaps

• Edmonton considers developing transit services for youth and community
• On the agenda: Police funding formula, Heritage River designation, and more

CSWB update

• Edmonton works towards next step in safety and well-being strategy

Encampment lawsuit

• Human rights group sues City of Edmonton over encampment clearing
• Avnish Nanda's tweet

Substantial completion

• Suburban sprawl costs Edmonton taxpayers more than infill: City report
• Edmonton considers new standard to control urban sprawl

Edge Fund

• News Release: New Edmonton Edge Fund will drive business innovation and transformation

99 Street

• Development on 99th Street has been stagnant for years. What happened?

Chief McFee

• Edmonton police chief says 'enough is enough'

Pickleball chaos

• Pickleball pros to show their stuff in Edmonton

Commissioner recruitment

• News Release: Police commission member recruitment underway

Speaking Municipally is produced by Taproot Edmonton, a source of curiosity-driven original stories, curated newsletters on various topics, and locally focused podcasts, all in the service of informing Edmontonians about what is going on in their community. Sign up to get The Pulse, our weekday news briefing. It's free!