[Coprolite]

The city planning map of Boyle looks like something from 1946 but it serves to show how geographically small and how difficult it would be for a small business to locate and thrive in Boyle. Go down the City's "1946" zoning list and it's only the services in red that have survived in Boyle. The rest in orange have largely gone the way of the dodo bird because of pressure from high volume, low margin retailors that service a wide audience. So asking a "10 block by 10 block" area of low income constituents to support small businesses in the vicinity so that they thrive is not going to work and everybody except the city can see that.

Upscale live / work complexes for one office professionals could work in Boyle because of its proximity to downtown Jasper Avenue, the river valley, and entertainment. Again though, the City seems committed to an outdated "1946" urban plan in Boyle that evidence shows has gone away and one that doesn't work in 2024 either.

The planning map I shared is from the 1960s, and was a precursor to the clearance of Chinatown. The coloured spaces were seen as blight, because in "excessive" concentrations they supposedly attracted ne'erdowells and poverty, especially the cluster around 97th and Jasper and the city was largely concerned with making this go away, or at least thinning it down.

 

[Out of Towner]

Thanks for sharing the map. I might be the only one who believes that the area holds promise as an upscale area for development given its proximity to all the high profile new development downtown. Some effective marketing is really the only thing the area lacks. There are few, if any, streets in the city that have the appeal of 96th but throw the word Boyle into the mix and there's an immediate perception problem but it's far from an insurmountable challenge. Change the name of the area to something modern, increase the police presence for a period of time to discourage crime, offer a tax break to the area's first developers, and there's no reason why the area can't get off the ground. The absence of any meaningful development in the area has demonstrated that an economic argument for affordable housing and flea market style businesses hasn't worked and clinging to an outdated concept doesn't help anybody.

 

[David A]

I agree perceptions are a big part of the problem. This area has been viewed negatively for decades so for most Edmontonians it is a no go area.

So it may take a developer from somewhere else, not burdened with these preconceptions, to get things moving here. A tax break for a period of limited period of time could be helpful.

A name change at some point may help too, but perhaps that comes after things start to change and move ahead. Otherwise it may just be quickly dismissed especially by long time locals.

 

[kcantor]

^
???
It wouldn’t surprise me if local developers (I will include Calgary in that) haven’t invested close to $100 million dollars in the Quarters and likely a great deal more than that if you include Boyle Renaissance.

It’s not local developers who have been missing from the equation.

 

[David A]

I do not consider Calgary local. I do realize there are some local and other developers who have invested in the area, but not a lot compared to elsewhere in the city.

I actually hope I am wrong and more will step up.

 

[kcantor]

^
I included Calgary so as to encompass Cidex’s Hat at the five corners intersection and their acquisition and cleanup of the Mirama site.

 

[thommyjo]

East vs west at 114st. Can’t wait for those trees to mature. And for all of jasper to hurry up and get finished already.

 

[Habibfazil]

East vs west at 114st. Can’t wait for those trees to mature. And for all of jasper to hurry up and get finished already.

View attachment 589010

Now, this is more like it, looks good and functional...

 

[BrettB]

There is a really interesting report going to Executive Committee in 10 days, planning to close vehicular traffic to several properties from Jasper Ave.

The goal is to reduce the number of cars crossing the sidewalk on Jasper. What I find really inspiring is that all but one of the property owners has agreed to the access closure.

 

[Gronk!]

There is a really interesting report going to Executive Committee in 10 days, planning to close vehicular traffic to several properties from Jasper Ave.

The goal is to reduce the number of cars crossing the sidewalk on Jasper. What I find really inspiring is that all but one of the property owners has agreed to the access closure.

The lone property owner who disagrees:

 

[VaultBoy]

There is a really interesting report going to Executive Committee in 10 days, planning to close vehicular traffic to several properties from Jasper Ave.

The goal is to reduce the number of cars crossing the sidewalk on Jasper. What I find really inspiring is that all but one of the property owners has agreed to the access closure.

Nice, Will get rid of the fear of having a car butt out onto the sidewalk out of nowhere without looking.

 

[thommyjo]

The lone property owner who disagrees:

View attachment 605299

This whole corner needs to be rebuilt

 

[David A]

Yes, this would be a great location for a nice new residential development, rather than a tired old strip mall from decades ago.

 

[Gronk!]

Bernard Callebaut left this place ages ago, so it's sitting empty with a parking lot. Demolish and redevelop as a midrise similar to the Mercury Block.

 

[Barnaby]

Does anyone know when the west portion of New Vision is scheduled to begin? This area looks horrible, and it's an embarrassment.