archited
Senior Member
Edmonton already has one pronounced example of a street makeover, that being 96th Street between Jasper Avenue and 104th Avenue in the heart of the Boyle Street area, more recently named The Quarters. Largely a failure in that it was intended to spur development in the Quarters and, while there have been minor successes there, the area remains largely unchanged. The City Farmers' Market seems to be floundering, the experimental revitalization of the Ernest Brown/Brighton Block and the Pendennis Hotel Block are both having leasing difficulties, the Quarters Hotel megastructure remains on hold (at a minimum) for several years, and there have been no significant new projects heralded for the area. Was the City investment in 96th Street and the adjacent Kinistinâw Park a wasted venture? And is the continued City investment in property along 103rd Avenue combined with the demolition of houses there an exercise in futility? Was COVID the primary event that upset the Quarters experimental apple-cart?
Regardless, the case can be made for Street improvement in aid of creating a better climate for development and, in particular, making a case for improving the Downtown Pedestrian environment. Taking the initiative one street at a time, 104th street from River Valley's edge to 104th Avenue is a good place to start.
Regardless, the case can be made for Street improvement in aid of creating a better climate for development and, in particular, making a case for improving the Downtown Pedestrian environment. Taking the initiative one street at a time, 104th street from River Valley's edge to 104th Avenue is a good place to start.