Edmonton Notes for April 29, 2018

Here are my weekly Edmonton notes:

Headlines

• City Council has approved the property tax rates for 2018, “which resulted in a 1.8 per cent increase for the typical single-family home and a 2.3 per cent increase for non-residential properties that realized an average market value change.” Tax notices will be mailed May 22, and the deadline to pay is June 30.
• The names of the stations along the Valley Line West LRT were announced this week. Thankfully, they were “primarily chosen based on location to support passenger wayfinding.” So you’ll see names like “124 Street” and “West Edmonton Mall”. We’re still at least six years from the line opening.
• Unfortunately, City Council voted to delay a decision on lowering speed limits to 30 km/h until March 2019.
• Here’s the news release from the Airport Accord partners on “enhanced transit connections” for the Edmonton International Airport. Among other things, starting June 1, “UPass holders will be able to access ETS Route 747 with their UPass, and Leduc Transit customers will be able to transfer between Route 747 and Leduc Transit with no additional fare.”
• The City has identified 659 dangerous crosswalks and says that at the current rate of investment – $2 million a year – it’ll take 29 years to deal with them all.
• Malcolm Bruce, currently CEO of the Edmonton Metropolitan Region Board (EMRB), will step into the role of CEO for Edmonton Global starting July 1.
• Edmonton-born Monique Ganderton is Marvel Studios’ first-ever female stunt coordinator and she worked on Avengers: Infinity War!
• The small commercial building at 10344 Jasper Avenue is going to be turned into a 10-storey, 34-unit residential building called The Wedge. Construction could begin as early as next spring.
• The Province has committed $2.5 million to help revive the Roxy Theatre. “The new building, slated to open in 2020, will go up on the original site.”
• Council unanimously agreed this week to develop an information campaign to make the case for more affordable housing in Edmonton. “Council also agreed to make permanent supportive housing a priority over the next six years.”
• David Climenhaga: If there was ever a time for the U of A to stick to its guns and welcome David Suzuki to Edmonton, this is it!
• From Raising Edmonton, here are four local playgrounds with ziplines! And from Hannah at Honey & Betts, here are the 7 Edmonton mom bloggers you need to know.
• The Edmonton Oilers made some coaching changes this week. Todd McLellan will remain the head coach, but assistant coaches Ian Herbers and Jim Johnson have been fired. Additionally, Jay Woodcroft will be the head coach for the AHL’s Condors.
• The Oilers will be selecting 10th in the 2018 NHL Draft. “They only had a 5 percent chance of capturing the first pick, but it didn’t seem likely that would be the case.”
• The second annual Mean Tweets featuring Mayor Don Iveson raised more than $10,000 for the United Way.
• I think Accidental Beach should remain a fond memory and not return, though it did nicely demonstrate what a missed opportunity we have with the current Louise McKinney Riverfront Park. Council will be discussing the long-term feasibility of the beach on May 24.

Downtown Edmonton

Upcoming Events

• The Fever International Dance Championships are taking place at the Edmonton EXPO Centre this week.
• The 2018 Dig In Horticulinary Festival takes place from Tuesday to Sunday at the Enjoy Centre in St. Albert.
• The Alberta Business Hall of Fame awards event will take place on Wednesday at the Shaw Conference Centre. This year, Dr. Ray Muzyka and Dr. Greg Zeschuk, co-founders of BioWare, will be among those recognized.
• The 2018 Capital Regional Rotary Integrity Awards will take place Wednesday evening at the Double Tree by Hilton in the west end.
• The final Green Drinks of the season takes place Wednesday at the Yellowhead Brewery.
• Taste of Stony Plain Road is taking place on Friday night.
• The spring edition of the Butterdome Craft Sale takes place Friday to Sunday at the Butterdome!
• There are a series of Jane’s Walks taking place throughout the city on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.
• Students from grades 4 through 9 will head over to the Prince of Wales Armouries on Saturday for the Edmonton Regional Heritage Fair.
• The Shaw Conference Centre is hosting Dinner with Canada’s Top Chefs: Spring Edition on Sunday evening.

Urban Barn, photo by Kurt Bauschardt

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