Here are my weekly Edmonton notes:
Headlines
- Jobber CEO Sam Pillar spoke with The Logic about his ambitions to build Edmonton’s first billion-dollar tech company. A unicorn, as it’s known in the tech industry.
- A new crowdsourcing map called SafeCityYEG has received a lot of criticism, but Administration and Council have both defended the tool. "More than 3,960 entries have formed several hotspots around the city, prompting questions around unintended consequences to businesses and communities."
- Council is looking for accountability on the more than $600 million spent on consulting fees by the City between 2013 and 2017. The City was supposed to have a report back on this by June 30 but is now targeting August 31.
- According to a report from Atlus Group, total investment volume in Edmonton reached $3.94 billion in 2018, increasing for the third consecutive year.
- Edmonton International Airport will serve as the North American entry point and logistical hub for China-based company Plant Box, which specializes in LED lighting systems designed for indoor plant growth, such as hydroponics.
- The Eskimos have introduced the Empire North Pass, a $22 general admission pass that lets fans stand in the area behind the north end zone, part of an attempt to boost attendance.
- More than 600 overdoses have been reversed thanks to the three supervised consumption sites that opened in Edmonton last year, and "neighbours have come to view the facilities as a necessary tool in the fight against opioid deaths," reports CBC.
- Edmonton’s funicular has won an International Architecture Award "for its innovation and originality, its capacity to stimulate, engage and delight occupants and visitors, and its accessibility and sustainability."
- The new H-Mart, which is locate in what was supposed to be Whole Foods on Calgary Trail, had a line-up around the block for its opening day!
- The mobile food ordering app Ritual is now available in Edmonton. Sharon and I made good use of it this weekend!
- In Episode 46 of Speaking Municipally we discuss the creativity (or lack thereof) of transit oriented development, the SafeCityYEG map, and the Vision Zero annual report.
- Get the latest on Media, Tech, Food, Health Innovation, Music, Business, and Council with Taproot Edmonton’s latest roundups.
Upcoming Events
- The City is hosting a session on how open data helps small businesses on Tuesday morning at Roundhouse.
- MacEwan University is hosting its summer urban beekeeping tours through the end of August. The next tour is Wednesday evening.
- Taste of Edmonton kicks off on Thursday at the Federal Building plaza!
- The City is hosting a community conversation on the Exhibition Land Redevelopment project on Thursday morning at the Canadian Native Friendship Centre.
- The Premier’s annual K-Days Breakfast takes place Thursday morning at the Alberta Legislature.
- Ladies on the Green takes place on Thursday at Victoria Golf Course.
- The K-Days Parade will make its way down Jasper Avenue on Friday morning.
- K-Days itself starts after the parade wraps up and runs through July 28.
- The Pop Culture Night Market takes place Friday night at the Old Strathcona Performing Arts Centre.
- The next Farmers’ Market Ride Along hosted by the City of Edmonton Bike Street Team starts at 10am on Saturday outside the Old Strathcona Farmers’ Market.
- The ITU World Triathlon Edmonton takes place Saturday and Sunday at Hawrelak Park.
- Slash ft. Myles Kennedy & The Conspirators perform on Saturday at the Edmonton Convention Centre.
- The 60th annual Sourdough Raft Race takes place Sunday at Terwillegar Park.
- 102.3 Now! Radio is hosting a Baby Shark World Record Attempt on Sunday at K-Days.
- Check out Taproot Edmonton’s summer festival & event guide for 2019 for more upcoming events!
MasterMaq's Blog 