Edmonton Notes for April 24, 2016

Here are my weekly Edmonton notes:

Headlines

• A groundbreaking ceremony for the Valley Line LRT was held this week. Construction-related disruptions began April 18. You can read more in this Bechtel news release or check out the TransEd partners website.
• According to CBC Edmonton, former City Manager Simon Farbrother made 52 trips during his last 3.5 years on the job at a cost of nearly $140,000. That may not be unreasonable given his position actually, but I’m happy to see that the investigation has led to positive change – all future City Manager expenses will be posted online.
• Council will be discussing the priority of future LRT construction this week using a list from Administration as input. That list puts the west leg of the Valley Line LRT on top, followed by the Metro Line extension from NAIT to Blatchford.
• The Edmonton Queen is up for sale! CBC Edmonton reports that bidding is up to $38,000 and closes on May 2.
• Capital City Clean Up is running its 15 to Clean Challenge from April 24 to 30. Do your part to help our city clean up for spring and save the date for the River Valley Clean Up – May 1! Be sure to bring large items and hazardous household waste to the Eco Station.
• ECAMP took a look back at Edmonton’s coin parking meter history and recalled the time they were used as “charity meters”. “Thirteen brightly-coloured former parking meters were placed up and down Whyte Avenue inviting coins from Edmontonians, coins that would be passed onto social service agencies in the city.”
• The City will soon be reviewing the Mature Neighbourhood Overlay so now’s the time to give your input.
• Over 100 Edmontonians gathered at the Cloverdale footbridge yesterday to protest its planned demolition. I’m sad to see the bridge go too, but I wish the “Save the Footbridge” group would transition its energy into a “Ensure the New Bridge is Beautiful for Pedestrians and Cyclists” effort. That’s what I care most about.
• Singer-songwriter Lucas Chaisson leads the pack with seven nods for this year’s Edmonton Music Awards.
• From OilersNation, here’s a year-end review of the Edmonton Oilers season. My short review would be the same as the last ten years: better luck next year?
• Due to Rogers Place and Ice District construction, vehicular and pedestrian traffic on 101 Street will be disrupted until early September.
• Starting May 1, traffic will be disrupted for about three months on 127 Street between 118 Avenue and Yellowhead Trail due to road reconstruction.
• Do you have an idea for Pecha Kucha Night 25? The deadline for speaker applications is May 12. The event takes place on June 9 at the Garneau Theatre.
• Some communities in the Edmonton region have issued fire bans, though the City of Edmonton itself has not. Still, Edmonton Fire Rescue services is stressing caution due to the dry, hot, windy weather.
• Spacing Edmonton took a look back at Edmonton’s City Beautiful Plan. Ah the glorious grid!
• The William Lowes Residence and Cameron Block have been added to the City’s list of designated historic resources, bringing the total of protected properties to 128.
• Operation 24 Hours handed out 2,940 violations this week including 2,608 for speeding.
• From Michael Ross, here’s a look at land in Edmonton zoned residential, commercial, or industrial.
• The spring schedule changes for ETS took effect today so check for new departure times and potential route detours.
• For more recent headlines, check out ShareEdmonton.

Springtime Skyline Sunset, photo by Dave Sutherland

Upcoming Events

• Mayor Don Iveson will deliver his annual State of the City address on Monday during lunch at the Shaw Conference Centre.
• The City is hosting a workshop for the Transit Strategy on Tuesday at City Hall. This is a really important initiative, so make sure you have your say!
• The next InterVivos event takes place on Tuesday with the theme of Returning to a Prosperous Alberta.
• AccelerateAB returns to Edmonton this year, taking place Wednesday at the Art Gallery of Alberta.
• The City of Edmonton, the Alberta Professional Planners Institute, an the Institute of Transportation Engineers are hosting the Edmonton Walkability Symposium on Thursday at the Sutton Place Hotel.
• Learn about storytelling and time management on Thursday at this workshop hosted by Karen Unland and Ashley Janssen.
• The Edmonton Heritage Council is hosting another Weaving City Narratives event on Thursday at the Edmonton Intercultural Centre inside McCauley School.
• The 2nd annual Edmonton Resilience Festival takes place Friday through Sunday at the Boyle Street Community Centre.
• Head over to the Butterdome on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday for the Butterdome Spring Craft Sale.
• Cat Yoga continues at the Edmonton Humane Society on Saturday! And be sure to save the date for the Edmonton International Cat Fest, taking place on May 28.
• For more upcoming events, check out ShareEdmonton.

21 Minutes, photo by Jeff Wallace