[bodsbods9090]

Yesterday was deadline for first round of student housing incentive applications. City is looking to move quickly on this and have decisions within 3 weeks I think I read.

It is possible a second round won't be needed if the money is fully allocated in this first round - big projects like Falcon 2 could possibly secure a good portion of it.

Again, if lots of interest, maybe city should consider some more money into this fund.

Looking forward to seeing the list of recipients - I'd also like to see full list of projects not successful and where they are.

Oh, and if OEG receives any more government money like from this fund, my head will explode from anger.

Was going to say something but you beat me to it.

Looking forward to what comes of this.

 

[CplKlinger]

I’m not suggesting we need government workers to prop up businesses downtown.

I’m suggesting that the work culture of government jobs vs startups/finance/law/tech are pretty different and the former is much of our DT workforce. I’m also not making a moral claim on work/life balance, time with family, etc.

Jobs and workers that require more grind, networking, attract driven young people without kids, and pay higher salaries are what make many downtowns lively. If we swapped out 5000 gov workers for 5000 google employees, or investment bankers, you’d see a difference in time people leave work, busyness of restaurants/bars, and activity downtown. Attracting more non gov workers downtown is key.

Same way a college town has better campus vibes than a big city commuter uni like the UofA/Macewan.

Sorry for the tone of my response, and misunderstanding what you meant. I thought you were saying that government workers should be in the office for 50-80 hours a week haha. I agree completely that a greater diversity in employers would be good to have as well.

I really don't think private businesses are making the decision to have workers return to the office more based on some desire to support the downtown or downtown businesses, although that may be a result.

It is also be better for vibrancy if those working downtown do not pack up at 4:00 or 4:30. I am not sure how much of that is government vs. private sector workers, but I suspect it is more of the former.

Private businesses no, but Ontario's government stated that as the reason for their RTO order. I was moreso speaking about the many downtown advocates and prominent voices (including the head of UAlberta's Cities Institute, see the screenshot below) saying that other governments should follow suit in order to revitalize downtown.

 

[IanO]

 

[buildings]

what are these rando pics?

 

[archited]

^ Pinkie-up time at the Citadel!

 

[thommyjo]

Sorry for the tone of my response, and misunderstanding what you meant. I thought you were saying that government workers should be in the office for 50-80 hours a week haha. I agree completely that a greater diversity in employers would be good to have as well.


Private businesses no, but Ontario's government stated that as the reason for their RTO order. I was moreso speaking about the many downtown advocates and prominent voices (including the head of UAlberta's Cities Institute, see the screenshot below) saying that other governments should follow suit in order to revitalize downtown.
View attachment 685005

Yeah, no! Definitely not advocating for 50-80hr weeks to be normalized haha. Just acknowledging the tension in our family friendly, less ambitious city culture vs the more entrepreneurial/financial/corporate feel of a city like Calgary.

Being a super present parent is somewhat at odds with what makes most downtowns thrive haha. At least downtowns with low residential population and cheap/large homes in suburbs.

Our focus on students is probably our most contextualized opportunity to see a vibrant downtown. Although more private office employees would be amazing too.

 

[Gronk!]

News article with outgoing EDBA CEO

As Alberta reviews BIA rules, smarter taxation is possible: McBryan

Alberta is reviewing its regulations for business improvement areas, and a leader of one of these organizations said it's an opportunity to shift from taxing business owners to taxing property owners, potentially growing the pot for Edmonton's 13 BIAs.

edmonton.taproot.news

 

[The_Cat]

I think some people play the victim card for the vulnerable people. If they get kicked out of LRT stations. If they get ID’d or carded, and so forth.

 

[David A]

News article with outgoing EDBA CEO

As Alberta reviews BIA rules, smarter taxation is possible: McBryan

Alberta is reviewing its regulations for business improvement areas, and a leader of one of these organizations said it's an opportunity to shift from taxing business owners to taxing property owners, potentially growing the pot for Edmonton's 13 BIAs.

edmonton.taproot.news

Good article, she brought up a couple of interesting issues I was not aware of at all even though I am an interested BIA member (so member involvement is probably also an issue).

I do feel the size of this BIA may be too large to be manageable and for the organization to connect well with members, particularly smaller businesses. There also needs to be some other ways to collect revenues from businesses operating in the area as economic activity and physical space size are not as related as they used to be decades ago.

 

[David A]

On a less positive note ... https://edmontonjournal.com/news/lo...l-discussed-at-mayoral-forum?itm_source=index

 

[policyenthusiast]

On a less positive note ... https://edmontonjournal.com/news/lo...l-discussed-at-mayoral-forum?itm_source=index

Slow permitting/approvals for the arts? Sure, fair criticism. But to say that Downtown has been anything short of babysat by the sitting Council is absurd.

The DBA has had a seat at most every table and given an opportunity to engage on things that are well outside their scope. Hanging the entire mantle of our languishing core neighbourhoods on the outgoing Council is so fundamentally detached from the real sources of Edmonton's problems, that this feels like farting in an elevator on your way out.

 

[Kosy123]

If you want better and more visible downtown nightlife vibrancy, then you've got to cater to students/below 30 demographic more rather than trying to chase RTO.

 

[David A]

Slow permitting/approvals for the arts? Sure, fair criticism. But to say that Downtown has been anything short of babysat by the sitting Council is absurd.

The DBA has had a seat at most every table and given an opportunity to engage on things that are well outside their scope. Hanging the entire mantle of our languishing core neighbourhoods on the outgoing Council is so fundamentally detached from the real sources of Edmonton's problems, that this feels like farting in an elevator on your way out.

Babysat? Maybe, but if I had babysitters like that, I would have fired them. Although, I suspect there will be a few more farts by the political apologists for this sad bunch before they are soon shown the way out.

 

[johnnyboy]

Babysat? Maybe, but if I had babysitters like that, I would have fired them. Although, I suspect there will be a few more farts by the political apologists for this sad bunch before they are soon shown the way out.

Some races are definitely tight, but I think you may be counting your chickens a little on just how many are shown the way out.

 

[IanO]

what are these rando pics?

A cool venue and DBA mixer.