Edmonton Notes for July 8, 2018

Here are my weekly Edmonton notes:

Headlines

• Construction along both Jasper Avenue and Stony Plain Road at the same time could result in a traffic nightmare for commuters. “Surely it makes more sense to push through with the west LRT first and start work on Jasper Avenue once the trains are running,” wrote Paula Simons. Council voted to look at options like reversing lanes and smart traffic signals to allow both projects to go ahead.
• The Edmonton Tower has been sold to AIMCo for an undisclosed amount. “City tax records for 2018 show the building’s assessed value is $304 million.”
• Parkbus is launching a free shuttle between Edmonton and Elk Island National Park starting on July 28. The pilot will run Saturdays until mid-September. Here’s the FAQ page for the free service.
• There are no plans to change the name of the Edmonton Eskimos for now, says CEO Len Rhodes. He “noted the team will continue community engagement into 2019.”
• A new policy going to Council this week would set expectations for developers on the value of amenities given to the community when constructing new projects. “Two of the amenities councillors talked about most are both to attract families: the provision of not-for-profit daycare in the buildings and the availability of affordable three-bedroom housing units.”
• Councillor Scott McKeen shared a personal post recently about being sober for ten years. “But as I’ve become an advocate for some of Edmonton’s most vulnerable people — mentally ill, addicted and homeless — it felt hypocritical to hide my drinking career,” he wrote. Mayor Iveson tweeted a link to the post and said, “Councillor, thank you for your vulnerability, your courage and your commitment.”
• Voting is now open for Vue Weekly’s Best of Edmonton 2018.
• ICYMI, this visualization of Edmonton growing from 1917 to 2017 is pretty awesome.
• The Edmonton Oilers have re-signed forward Ryan Strome to a two-year contract.
• The first LRV for the Valley Line LRT is on its way to Edmonton. Looking good!
• From Elise Stolte in the Edmonton Journal: The all-new beach-lovers’ guide to Edmonton.
• For more recent headlines, check out ShareEdmonton.

Edmonton Summer Cityscape, photo by IQRemix

Upcoming Events

• This is the final week for the Freewill Shakespeare Festival.
• The Edmonton International Street Performers Festival starts on Tuesday and runs to Sunday. This year the event has moved to Dr. Wilbert McIntyre Park in Old Strathcona.
• Cultivate McCauley is hosting a Neighbourhood Garden Crawl on Tuesday evening starting at Giovanni Caboto Park.
• The next ArtTourYEG event takes place on Wednesday, this time from Churchill Square to Louise McKinney Riverfront Park.
• The grand opening of the Borden Natural Swimming Pool takes place at noon on Wednesday.
• ParityYEG is hosting a Founders Reception at CKUA on Wednesday. The organization is “focused on bringing gender parity to politics and public offices.”
• The first in a series of Thursday lunch hour tours of Chinatown takes place this week! Meet at Canada Place at noon.
• Lawn Summer Nights is back again on Thursday evening.
• Catch all the action at the FISE World Series Edmonton 2018 at Louise McKinney Riverfront Park from Friday to Sunday.
• Africanival takes place Friday to Sunday at 105 Avenue and 107 Street.
• Edmonton Ribfest takes place Friday to Sunday at Borden Park.
• Protons and Pyramids takes place at the Muttart Conservatory on Sunday to celebrate the opening of the new space-themed feature pyramid. The initial photos I have seen look pretty cool.
• Plan your calendar with Taproot Edmonton’s 2018 guide to summer festivals and events! It includes 75+ happenings you can look forward to this summer in and around the city.

Premier Notley celebrates at the Canadian citizenship ceremony, photo by Premier of Alberta

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