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Kosy123 said:
Did some math since I had some time, and I got inspired after I saw that the Attainable Housing Incentive now stated that the city's goal was 19,000 residents by 2030 for downtown.

According to the 2021 census, downtown had 13,000 residents (This isn't counting for the higher vacancy rate at the time as well)

View attachment 723266

If we add in the big chunk of the openings from 2025, with 1132 units, with the assumption of 100% lease rates and the x1.58 calculation, downtown gets pushed to approximately
14,788 residents.

I'm using a x1.58 calculation on the units based on a graphic from Calgary's Downtown Office Conversions and how they calculated their estimated residents.

View attachment 723268

If we add in all the projects under construction, actively in the development permit stage, and the Warehouse Block by Autograph (which we know is going to happen), with the same assumptions once completed then downtown's residential population gets pushed to 20,092 residents.

Obviously, the math here isn't precise, and doesn't take into account vacancy rates, and a ton of other factors like projects I probably missed out pre-2025 like Augustana, but it's cool to see that the 19,000 residents by 2030 goal is within reach, and if we somehow get more momentum and projects in the next few years, then even the 24,000 goal originally put forward is also doable.

Note: I excluded the Ice Village's Phase I since it technically is outside of the designated municipal boundaries of downtown. BLVD on 108 St is also missing since we haven't seen anything there for a little bit, so I've removed it from here for the time being, along with the Standard on Jasper conversion.
Click to expand...
kcantor said:
I’m pretty sure your either your math or your typing the resulting number of residents is out by an awful lot…
Click to expand...

I mean, I think @Kosy123 was pretty clear here...
 
kcantor said:
There were 13,000 existing residents included in the chart that weren't mentioned on the chart or the post that included it which is what made in "not pretty clear". Kosy123 and I already sorted out that discrepancy above... :)
Click to expand...
What I'm saying is in the future, it might help to scroll up a few posts to see if there's any context you're missing rather than assume someone else made an extremely blatant error.
 
Last edited:
"Despite the expansion, risks remain. Dr. Charlebois warned that urban grocery economics are complicated by crime and shrink. “Opening up stores downtown is incredibly difficult right now,” he said. Security investments and loss prevention measures can materially affect margins."

retail-insider.com

Downtown Grocery Growth Accelerates in Canada

Downtown grocery growth in Canada accelerates as retailers expand discount and specialty stores into dense urban cores.
retail-insider.com retail-insider.com
 
kcantor said:
There were 13,000 existing residents included in the chart that weren't mentioned on the chart or the post that included it which is what made in "not pretty clear". Kosy123 and I already sorted out that discrepancy above... :)
Click to expand...
Are you suggesting that adding context is helpful so that you can understand it?

;)
 
Greenspace said:
"Despite the expansion, risks remain. Dr. Charlebois warned that urban grocery economics are complicated by crime and shrink. “Opening up stores downtown is incredibly difficult right now,” he said. Security investments and loss prevention measures can materially affect margins."

retail-insider.com

Downtown Grocery Growth Accelerates in Canada

Downtown grocery growth in Canada accelerates as retailers expand discount and specialty stores into dense urban cores.
retail-insider.com retail-insider.com
Click to expand...
While this is interesting, the article seems to be mainly or entirely about other cities. Interestingly, these issues or problems don't seem to be stopping expansion elsewhere.

The issues may be similar here, although I don't think anyone has proposed opening a discount grocery store downtown here yet.
 
David A said:
While this is interesting, the article seems to be mainly or entirely about other cities. Interestingly, these issues or problems don't seem to be stopping expansion elsewhere.

The issues may be similar here, although I don't think anyone has proposed opening a discount grocery store downtown here yet.
Click to expand...
Not yet, but I think a No Frills Downtown, say in ECC basement, would do really well.
 
Greenspace said:
Not yet, but I think a No Frills Downtown, say in ECC basement, would do really well.
Click to expand...
Would it be where the Woodwards Food store was over 35 years ago, or one in the basement of Eatons several yeas before that? Back to what we had in the 1980's, now that is progress.
 
Kosy123 said:
Did some math since I had some time, and I got inspired after I saw that the Attainable Housing Incentive now stated that the city's goal was 19,000 residents by 2030 for downtown.

According to the 2021 census, downtown had 13,000 residents (This isn't counting for the higher vacancy rate at the time as well)

View attachment 723266

If we add in the big chunk of the openings from 2025, with 1132 units, with the assumption of 100% lease rates and the x1.58 calculation, downtown gets pushed to approximately
14,788 residents.

I'm using a x1.58 calculation on the units based on a graphic from Calgary's Downtown Office Conversions and how they calculated their estimated residents.

View attachment 723268

If we add in all the projects under construction, actively in the development permit stage, and the Warehouse Block by Autograph (which we know is going to happen), with the same assumptions once completed then downtown's residential population gets pushed to 20,092 residents.

Obviously, the math here isn't precise, and doesn't take into account vacancy rates, and a ton of other factors like projects I probably missed out pre-2025 like Augustana, but it's cool to see that the 19,000 residents by 2030 goal is within reach, and if we somehow get more momentum and projects in the next few years, then even the 24,000 goal originally put forward is also doable.

Note: I excluded the Ice Village's Phase I since it technically is outside of the designated municipal boundaries of downtown. BLVD on 108 St is also missing since we haven't seen anything there for a little bit, so I've removed it from here for the time being, along with the Standard on Jasper conversion.
Click to expand...
My guess is downtown will be between 17,000-18,000 by 2030. 1.58 people per unit is high and a lot of development permits don’t go anywhere. If Canada’s immigration numbers had stayed high, I could see 20,000 being a possibility, but I don’t see it to be honest.
 
AntonK said:
My guess is downtown will be between 17,000-18,000 by 2030. 1.58 people per unit is high and a lot of development permits don’t go anywhere. If Canada’s immigration numbers had stayed high, I could see 20,000 being a possibility, but I don’t see it to be honest.
Click to expand...
Some rough math tells me that Downtown would need about 26,000 people to reach Wihkwentowin's residential density (where the streets feel lived in at all hours). 2035 feels like a reasonable goal for that.
 

Construction continues in Downtown Edmonton​

This update provides information on many City projects and programs ongoing in and around downtown.
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Valley Line West LRT construction has led to the temporary full closure of 102 Avenue to vehicle traffic between 107 Street and 102 Street until the end of 2026. The work on 102 Avenue will happen in multiple phases. Phase 1 is expected to last approximately 20 weeks (until August). During Phase 1, north/south traffic across 102 Avenue is available only on 105 Street. Pedestrian access is maintained, but detours are in place. The bike lanes along 102 Avenue were temporarily relocated to 103 Avenue in November 2025. Further Phase 1 details are available in MIP’s construction notice. Information about subsequent phases will be released once details are finalized.

Ongoing City projects downtown​

  • Beaver Hills House Park and Michael Phair Park Renewal: The new washroom facility in Beaver Hills House Park is now open for public use. The bouldering wall within Beaver Hills House Park is planned to be finished in spring 2026. Both parks remain open while this final feature is completed.
  • Work will restart on Stage 2 of Phase 2 of the Imagine Jasper Avenue project during the 2026 season. Stage 2 will focus on the next section between 117 Street to 121 Street starting in early April. Construction will require temporary lane, road and sidewalk closures, as well as parking restrictions similar to what occured for Stage 1 in 2025 between 114 Street and 117 Street. One lane of traffic will be maintained in each direction at all times. All work is anticipated to be completed in 2027.
  • O-day’min Park Road Renewal will continue this spring with the reconstruction of 106 Street, portions of 107 Street, and adjacent alleys to the park. Construction will require road, alley and sidewalk closures. The park will remain open for public use and business access will be maintained during construction.
  • Work continues on the 107 Avenue Revitalization project. Work will focus on installing new pedestrian lights and concrete work. Construction is occurring off peak hours to limit traffic disruptions. Construction is anticipated to be completed in spring 2026.
  • Work continues on the 99 Street Streetscaping and Waterproofing project during the 2026 construction season. Starting in March, the 100 Street library parkade entrance will be closed until early summer. Single-lane closures on 100 Street, north of Judy Padua Way, are expected to begin in March. All work is anticipated to be completed by fall 2026.
  • Construction continues on the 103A Avenue and 99 Street Streetscape and Pedway project from Churchill LRT Station to the Station Lands development north of 104 Avenue. A pop-up entrance is being built near the CN Tower bus loop on 103A Avenue. Pedway construction is anticipated to be complete in 2026.
  • Site set-up occurred the week of March 9 at the location of the new Chinatown Gate (97 Street between Jasper Avenue and 101A Avenue). Construction fencing and trailers are now set up along both sides of 97 Street. A temporary full closure of a portion of 97 Street near the construction site is tentatively scheduled for late May to erect the steel structure of the gate. The full closure is anticipated to last two weeks. Additional nighttime closures of the same section of 97 Street will follow the full closure. Details of the nighttime work will be released once they are available. The gate is anticipated to be completed in 2027.
  • The Dawson Bridge Rehabilitation project continues to progress. Single lane closures are expected to be in place for approximately three weeks starting in April. Traffic will be controlled by a temporary traffic light placed on either side of the closure. Pedestrian access will be maintained. The project is expected to be completed this spring.

For an overview of City infrastructure projects, visit building.edmonton.ca/projects.

Other work downtown​

EPCOR continues construction on 100 Avenue, west of 111 Street, with traffic impacts along 100 Ave between 111 Street and 112 Street. Westbound traffic will not be permitted along 100 Ave, west of 111 Street. Eastbound/westbound will have restricted turning access onto 100 Ave. Access to the health centre remains open using the eastbound lane. Construction is anticipated to be complete by the end of May.

Traffic disruptions​

Remember to check for traffic disruptions, leave extra travel time and plan your commute ahead of time using Google Maps. It shows real-time traffic delays and suggests alternate routes.

Downtown parking information can be found here.
 
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