EdmTrekker
Senior Member
I am not so sure. Having returned to Edmonton for 6 weeks in May for a visit and having a place in the core - we walked around the core, Chinatown, Oliver every day several times with our pups. Homeless, drunks and drugged people seemed the majority of people on the streets especially near ECC while litter, garbage and vandalism is everywhere. I can't see people coming by train to shop at ECC unless people feel downtown is safe, attractive and has something to offer. The mall is DEAD. As a long time resident of the core (very long) I am hard pressed to recommend visiting Edmonton downtown to anyone under the present circumstances. City Council has failed to clean up the heart of Edmonton -while spending freely this year on environmental issues per this EJ news piece: https://edmontonjournal.com/news/po...es-edmonton-visit-with-transit-worker-meetingCity Centre Mall has added more security and it looks busy at lunch. I’m sure there will be more stores coming when the Valley Line opens.
"The mayor pointed to the most recent Edmonton budget, which included $16 million for an energy transition strategy, $53 million to energy retrofit city facilities and $34.5 million supporting a district energy network strategy and nodes."
Clearly there is money to spend - and it's a question of priorities. Sohi and his friends on Council do not really give a rats ass about downtown Edmonton.