Edmonton Notes for 5/15/2010

Here are my weekly Edmonton notes:

• One of the bigger stories this week was the entrance to the Stanley Milner library downtown and its safety. I agree with EPL CEO Linda Cook – moving the doors is not the solution.
• Public urinals and toilets will be installed at seven locations on Jasper Avenue between 107 and 118 streets as part of a pilot that will run until mid-October.
• Local software company Matrikon Inc. is being sold to Honeywell International for $145 million.
• The City will reimburse property owners in “main street” commercial areas who revitalize their property to make them more attractive and pedestrian-friendly.
• Councillor Dave Thiele says he won’t be running again in October’s municipal election.
• Wednesday was the 3rd annual Festival Volunteer Fair, and it was a big success!
• Transportation GM Bob Boutilier says the City should create a separate board to run LRT construction.
• Congratulations to all of the Good Neighbour Award recipients for 2010!
• The province announced three new projects aimed at preventing and reducing crime, focusing on youth mentoring and community integration for new Canadians.
• Here’s the Edmonton Startup Index for May.
• The Edmonton Indy received a boost in funding this week from the provincial government. The money-losing event will get another $800,000.
• Here’s a write-up on the City’s plans to build part of Edmonton inside Second Life.
• It was the “best of” this week: here are Vue’s Golden Fork Awards, and SEE’s Best of Edmonton 2010.
• The latest information about the requirements for disclosure of campaign funds is now available.
• Here’s a great list of things to do in Edmonton this summer.
• For more headlines from the past week, check out theedmontonian.com.
• The next Emerging Business Leaders event is Monday evening at Accent Lounge (at ShareEdmonton).
• Tuesday is the launch of the CommuniTEA Infusion Van, at the Art Gallery of Alberta.
• On Wednesday evening, the City of Edmonton is hosting a public meeting on the proposed arena and entertainment district (on ShareEdmonton).
• The Edmonton Public Schools Foundation is hosting a fundraising breakfast on Thursday morning (on ShareEdmonton).

Demolition of the old Mayfair hotel started this week. It’ll make way for the Mayfair Village:

Today marked the start of the City Market Downtown for 2010! More than 13,000 people had walked through by 12:30pm. You can see more photos here.

UPDATE: Completely forgot to mention this: the provincial government has publicly endorsed Edmonton’s bid to host EXPO 2017.