Here are my weekly Edmonton notes:
- Mayor Mandel suggested this past week that major road projects might be postponed so that the funds could be reallocated to public transit. I like the idea, but we have to recognize that buses use the roads too. Many Councillors were surprised by the suggestion.
- Rod Knecht was sworn in as the 22nd chief of police this past week at City Hall.
- The City of Edmonton’s newest transit centre, Lewis Farms, officially opened this week at 1021 Webber Greens Drive.
- Expansion 2012 is under budget and ahead of schedule at the Edmonton International Airport.
- According to a new national survey, The Apple Store is the highest-rated retailer in Edmonton while Canadian Tire is the most shopped.
- Congratulations to the City employees honored this week for their environmental dedication in the Charles Labatiuk Environmental Excellence Awards.
- Congratulations also to the 2011 Salute to Excellence Hall of Fame inductees! The ceremony takes place Tuesday at the Winspear Centre.
- In a new report, the City auditor has criticized the roads design and construction branch for a lack of clarity in budgeting, poor cost-estimating practices and “overly optimistic” completion timelines.
- Another City report recommends that more traffic lights be removed from the Yellowhead Trail to ease traffic congestion.
- Edmonton’s retail lease rates are among the cheapest in the world, according to a new report.
- The Alberta Government handed out some environmental awards this week. Two City branches were recognized as EnviroVista Leaders. Epcor was also honored and is the first water treatment facilities operator to achieve “Champion” status.
- The Capital Region Board’s economic roadmap was unveiled this week, a 300-page document that hopes to guide our economic development over the long-term.
- The province put out a call to companies interested in designing the new Royal Alberta Museum this week. Companies have until June 22 to submit their qualifications.
- A judge dismissed a request to remove wi-fi from Edmonton schools this week. Thank goodness.
- Calgary mayor Naheed Nenshi thinks there’s a window of opportunity right now for Edmonton and Calgary to work together to further the bug cities’ agenda in Alberta.
- The number of building permits issued in April 2011 was down 39% from the number issued a year earlier.
- Long-time trainer Ken Lowe is back with the Oilers!
- For more headlines from the past week, check out theedmontonian.com.
- Here are the Operation 24-Hours statistics for June.
- Here’s a great post by Kevin Kossowan at The Charrette called Growing in Edmonton.
- Indulgence, a Canadian Epic of Food and Wine, takes place Monday evening at the Delta Edmonton South.
- The Vitalize Provincial Voluntary Sector Conference takes place Tuesday and Wednesday at the Shaw Conference Centre.
- FC Edmonton hosts the Puerto Rico Islanders on Wednesday evening at Foote Field.
- Wednesday evening is also the opening night gala for Improvaganza.
- The Experience Junior Chamber International event is happening on Thursday evening.
- Pecha Kucha is back! PKNX takes place on Friday night at the Alberta Aviation Museum.
- Saturday is going to be another very busy day in Edmonton. Among the many events taking place: Africa Connect Edmonton, Rock The Square, park(ed), and Bikeology’s Festival Day.
- For more upcoming events, check out ShareEdmonton.
- On Friday, Sharon and I announced What the Truck?! and so far the response has been great! Here’s an article that Todd Babiak wrote about the event. We hope to see you there on the 24th!
Colleen Brown performed at TEDxEdmonton on Saturday.
Thousands of people lined 102 Avenue on Saturday afternoon for the Pride Parade.
4th Street Promenade was packed all day Saturday, with the DECL Pancake Breakfast, City Market and Al Fresco Block Party all taking place. I’ve got more photos of the Block Party here.
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