I don't think moving the Alberta Distance Learning centre was some sort of great blow for Edmonton, probably the only ones who really noticed were the employees affected. Barrhead is only about an hour away from Edmonton, so its not like they relocated to a very isolated place.
Lougheed did spend a good amount on rebuilding the entire U of A Hospital complex and the Leg. As for the now called Crawford centre, not downtown but not a bad location, fairly central and close to LRT. Better than Alberta Pensions which more recently moved from downtown to Windemere.