“The premier did not take questions from journalists Thursday, but a spokesperson confirmed the province is still hammering out a deal with the city and the Oilers Entertainment Group to “explore” which downtown projects will be funded.
I would love to take that $330 million and use it as seed funding to ignite housing growth downtown. To see it going into new housing, new parks, new transit, new infrastructure,” said Michael Janz, an Edmonton city councillor.”
What you may not know, is that Edmonton City Council has also provided record investment into 24/7 crisis diversion through REACH, bringing their funding up to $5.3 Million in 2024. The stats are impressive.
Earlier this week I had a chance to reconnect with a neighbour, Melanie (Video Link), who for the past five years has been struggling with a problem property next door to her, which has finally now been demolished.
We are rapidly growing as a city, but how we grow can either lead to financial benefit or loss. For example, urban sprawl loses municipalities money but infill (building in and up in existing areas close to existing services and amenities) generates revenue-- but just how much?
Let's look at the taxation data...
We all deserve the ability to enjoy getting outside, a patio, or to sleep with our windows open during the summertime free from the deafening whines and bangs from noisy vehicles....
Like a game of musical chairs, every bedroom that we can provide helps improve housing affordability, reduce pressure on the housing market, reduce the leverage of big landlords and may put money in your pocket!
Learn more about secondary suites, home share, and various small-scale, immediate steps that can improve housing affordability.
Monday May 13th - Summer streets opening party!
Wednesday May 15th - Minding the Gap: Police Accountability in Alberta
Saturday May 25th - Harbinger showcase and live podcast recording
Youth Council Recruitment!
We Won! Protecting the public interest - public funds for public buildings
Ending Pay to play and bill 20: Halt big corporate money taking over City hall!
Naming Rights: What’s in a name? Stop the corporate rebrand of public facilities
Events:
- May 11th - Alberta Bike Swap
- May 13th - Summer Streets launch party
- Big Bin Events This Summer!
- Fire Hall open houses
- May 25th - Harbinger Media Network Showcase
- July 1st - Mill Creek Pool reopening
News & Views
- Bill 20 is a disaster. Take action
- Housing Crisis: What is the role of the University of Alberta?
- What I'm hearing on the Old Strathcona Public Realm Strategy...
- Understanding property tax increases
The Edmonton Police Commission is refusing to share its plans for auditing the local police department with city council. Councilor Keren Tang put forward a motion in December last year to have a look at the plan, which council approved. But now the EPC says it “owns the audit function” and does not “support sharing that responsibility with council.”
- Don't fall for privatization: Chicago doesn't own their own streets (Video)
City Council recently approved a rezoning across the street from the U of A and it got me thinking about all the underutilized or unused space on the U of A main campus.
The expression I often hear at city hall is “highest and best use of city land” – in other words, land that brings benefit to the community (eg, a park or public space) or land that generates revenue for the city to offset taxes and pay for services (Industrial, commercial, residential in that order)
But what if the University of Alberta could generate revenue and mitigate the housing and climate crisis? The university already has the vehicle: the U of A Properties Trust, an arms length development corporation that pays dividends back into the U of A through innovative developments and land leases.
Over the past few weeks, I’ve been meeting with several different organizations, attending meetings, door knocking, and responding to emails about the Old Strathcona Public Realm Strategy.
I wanted to share a bit of what I have been hearing and manage expectations about timelines. You can read and review the full draft plan here: https://www.edmonton.ca/sites/default/files/public-files/Old-Strathcona-Public-Realm-Strategy.pdf?cb=1713376450
