Edmonton Notes for 2/20/2011

Here are my weekly Edmonton notes:

• The five design concepts for the City Centre Airport redevelopment were released this week. You can check out the concepts in person or online. There’s a video playlist on YouTube here. I was absolutely shocked to hear that Councillor Tony Caterina is not impressed with the submissions!
• Ridership topped 76 million in 2010 for ETS, an increase of 7.8 million over 2009. The number of weekday boardings on the LRT increased to 93,600 from 74,400.
• The City of Edmonton has won an award from the Consulting Engineers of Alberta for the West and Southeast LRT corridor selection studies.
• Does Edmonton need a “snow boss” to make sure snow removal happens efficiently? How about a ban on overnight residential parking? Those are some of the things being considered as a part of a new policy for handling severe winter storms.
• Alberta Investment Management Corporation (AIMCo) is exploring the possibility of a new office tower downtown, located mid-block on 102 Street north of Jasper Avenue.
• Grant MacEwan University has selected Dr. David Atkinson as its new president.
• City Council removed the ban on liquor ads on public transit this week. It is expected that the City will bring in an additional $1.37 million annually due to the ads.
• Of course the arena is still in the news. This time it is NHL commissioner Gary Bettman who says Edmonton needs a new arena.
• Nice article on Credo Coffee in VUE Weekly.
• Oiler rookie Taylor Hall scored his first NHL hat trick against the Atlanta Thrashers on Saturday evening.
• Sutton Place Hotel general manager Richard Wong is joining Travel Alberta, and will open the corporation’s new office here in Edmonton.
• The open house was last week, but you can still have your say on the future of the Kinsmen Sports Centre. Fill out the online survey here.
• Former Capital Health CEO Sheila Weatherill was one of five new members appointed to Alberta’s health superboard this week.
• Check out The Charrette’s latest planning roundup.
• For more headlines from the past week, check out theedmontonian.com.
• Right on Cue, a networking opportunity for family businesses, is taking place on Tuesday evening.
• There’s a public meeting being held on Thursday evening to discuss a proposed neighbourhood in the Heritage Valley area.
• Amy Goodman is in town on Saturday at the TELUS Centre for the latest installment of EPL’s Freedom to Read event series.
• The Oil Kings are in action at home twice this week, on Wednesday against Calgary, and Saturday against Lethbridge.
• The Oilers also play at home twice this week, on Friday against St. Louis, and Sunday against Boston.

Art Burn at the Silver Skate Festival

Blue Bay Station by Kurt

Twilight Rush Hour by POD