Edmonton Notes for February 25, 2018

Here are my weekly Edmonton notes:

Headlines

• Initial community engagement sessions for the successor to The Art of Living, Edmonton’s arts & heritage plan, are starting this week and run through March. “The new 10-year Arts & Heritage Plan will be unique to Edmonton, and will provide strong recommendations that will infuse the arts into every aspect of the civic landscape.” A new website for the plan is launching on Tuesday.
• “Healthy City” is Edmonton’s theme for Infrastructure Canada’s Smart Cities Challenge. “The Healthy City theme has the potential to address challenges such as reducing the incidence of disease, increasing social inclusion or reducing homelessness or related issues.” You can submit your ideas at the new Healthy City project website. Proposals are due to Infrastructure Canada on April 24.
• The City is replacing Edmonton’s three oldest bus transit buildings this year, thanks in part to funding from the Public Transit Infrastructure Fund. “Work is currently underway at Belvedere and Jasper Place, and construction for Castle Downs will begin in March.” The work should all be completed this fall.
• Paula Simons on the Valley Line LRT West: “The plan for a massive interchange at 149 Street and Stony Plain Road is one of those trial balloons that needs to be popped immediately. Preferably with a rocket launcher.”
• The Edmonton Police Service unveiled its new $5.9 million Air 1 helicopter on Friday. “Because the new Air 1 is better, stronger, and faster than our previous helicopters, we can provide a greater level of safety and support across the city,” said Greg Preston, acting police chief.
• Hello, Let’s Eat! is “a pilot project that encourages Edmontonians to connect over a meal.” You can apply to host a community meal at no cost for groups up to 24 people.
• Mayor Don Iveson has launched a lobbyist registry. Anyone who wants to meet with the mayor’s office to discuss financial interests or policy changes will now have to register.
• Grass, leaves, and yard clippings may be banned from curbside pickup in Edmonton if proposed changes are approved by Council.
• A new report from Stantec says “there is a general risk of committing new LRT lines to a 100+ yr. old bridge that has suffered serious corrosion and section loss prior to 1994, with some further deterioration since.” Apparently the concrete foundations can no longer carry the weight of LRT trains.
• The Marc’s Patrick Saurette is the new board chair of Restaurants Canada.
• The Oilers traded Mark Letestu to the Nashville Predators for Pontus Aberg. They also sent Brandon Davidson to the Islanders for a 3rd round pick. With the trade deadline looming, apparently seven teams are calling about Patrick Maroon.
• Ten new ETS buses will be outfitted with retractable shields in a pilot project aimed at reducing assaults on drivers.
• Finance Minister Bill Morneau will once again wear Edmonton’s Poppy Barley shoes when the budget is unveiled on Tuesday.
• For more recent headlines, check out ShareEdmonton.

Bike Lane Ice Capades, photo by More Bike Lanes Please

Upcoming Events

• The Alberta Spring Gift Fair takes place at the Edmonton Expo Centre until Wednesday.
• The City is hosting two more engagement sessions for the Centre LRT Study on Tuesday and Wednesday this week.
• There are also a series of drop-in events for the Downtown Public Places Plan.
• The Oil Kings host the Tigers at Rogers Place on Tuesday afternoon, the Hitmen on Friday night, and the Pats on Sunday.
• The Greater Edmonton Teachers’ Convention is at the Shaw Conference Centre on Thursday and Friday.
• The Yards is hosting its Spring 2018 Salon & AGM on Thursday evening at CKUA.
• The Oilers host the Predators on Thursday and the Rangers on Saturday.
• The New Earth Expo is making its first stop in Edmonton on the weekend, taking place at the Edmonton Expo Centre from Friday to Sunday.
• If you like cars, check out Edmonton World of Wheels at the Edmonton Expo Centre. The event runs Friday to Sunday.
• The Alberta Business Awards of Distinction take place on Friday at the Renaissance Edmonton Airport Hotel.
• A rally for International Women’s Day takes place on Saturday afternoon. Gather at Corbett Hall at 1pm.
• Open Data Day takes place Saturday at the downtown branch of the Edmonton Public Library. The event takes place from 9:30am until 4pm.
• Save the date! Green Drinks: YEG Climate takes place on March 7 at Yellowhead Brewery.
• Heads up! Red Bull Crashed Ice Edmonton takes place in Louise McKinney Riverfront Park on March 9 & 10.

Old Bank of Montreal, photo by Jason Woodhead