Downtown Recovery Coalition: advocating for a safe and vibrant downtown Edmonton for all
About the Downtown
Recovery
Coalition
History
History
In 2016, the Downtown Vibrancy Task Force formed organically in the community, when 16 people gathered to work on integrating the new arena downtown, identifying friction points with businesses, and developing bike lanes downtown. They functioned as an advocacy group for these projects and dissolved as a group once those goals were met.
The Downtown Recovery Coalition developed during the pandemic with some of the same people, and a new mission to help facilitate economic growth and vitality downtown as we recover from the impacts of the last several years.
The Downtown Recovery Coalition is focused on three pillars which together will support vibrancy and vitality in the heart of our city:
Safety and Security
Ensuring that people feel safe when they are downtown is critical. Physical intimidation, abusive behaviour, and all forms of violence are unacceptable anywhere, and cannot be allowed downtown. Specific steps must be taken by the Edmonton Police Service, City Council and other entities to enhance personal safety and security downtown if we’re to have any chance of getting this right.
Cleanliness and Infrastructure
Transformational Projects
Downtown Edmonton is the beating heart of our city. It is a centre for business, finance and professional services, an exciting entertainment district, and the seat of government for both the Alberta Legislature and Edmonton City Hall. It is home to 13,000 people and a workplace for 60,000. Less than 1% of the geographic area of Edmonton is downtown, but the land there comprises 10% of the municipal tax base.
Any downtown has an outsized role in shaping how a city is perceived by locals and visitors alike. It is critical that the issues facing downtown Edmonton area are addressed in a holistic and comprehensive way so that all Edmontonians feel safe, secure and proud to be a part of the action when they visit downtown.
Downtown Edmonton is served by a Business Improvement Area (the Edmonton Downtown Business Association), and you can learn more about all of the best things to do, see, and eat in Downtown as well as all of the great work that the EDBA is doing at edmontondowntown.com
Specific Actions
Here are the specific asks that we have identified as priorities for all three orders of government & the Edmonton Police Service:
Better patrols and security enforcement at LRT station entrances
We’ve heard repeatedly, loud and clear, that students, workers, and visitors don’t feel safe entering or exiting the LRT system downtown when large groups block the stairways while engaging in anti-social behaviours such as smoking, open illicit drug use, and verbal harassment and intimidation. Efforts to date to improve safety in the transit system have not been sufficient to solve this problem.
More Community & Solution-oriented Policing
A more visible community policing presence downtown would contribute to general safety and security for all downtown users and visitors. Having more officers who are proactive in their patrols on foot and on bikes, who are committed to partnering with the downtown community and are experienced with trauma-informed interactions and conflict de-escalation, can make a big difference in ensuring our public spaces and businesses are safe for everyone.
Repair crumbling infrastructure
We need to ensure that sidewalks and roads are clean and in good repair and that planters, benches, trees, garbage cans and other small pieces of public infrastructure are regularly maintained so that, on the whole, the appearance of our downtown is clean and welcoming.
Accelerated removal of construction material
There often appears to be no sense of urgency for construction teams downtown to remove and minimize the blockades and barriers they set up. A principle of causing the minimum disruption to the orderly flow of pedestrians and traffic should be implemented and enforced.
Crisis diversion response times
Several social agencies provide valuable crisis diversion services downtown, helping and supporting people in crisis to access the services they need. More resources are needed to ensure these teams have the staff and resources to respond in a timely manner when called upon.
Transitional spaces for those struggling with addictions on the street
As a community, if we seek to welcome and support people on a journey out of homelessness and addiction, we need to provide them with transitional housing and shelter options to bridge the gap from homelessness to permanent housing. All orders of government must work together to ensure those in Edmonton who need this support can access it.
Long-term recovery spaces
Long term recovery spaces for people struggling with addictions and homelessness are needed as part of the mix of supports and services that will provide all Edmontonians an opportunity to live with dignity and a roof over their head.
King Thunderbird Centre receives Class A Development Permit
Boyle Street has received a Class A development permit for okimaw peyesew kamik (the King Thunderbird Centre), after a previous setback at the Subdivision and Development Appeal Board. The DRC wrote a letter in support of this purpose-built facility.
Council votes against bylaw that would have kept 102nd avenue closed to vehicles.
City Council voted 7-5 against a bylaw that would have enabled the continued closure of 102nd Ave between 103rd and 99th street for another year. The DRC advocated the risks of this to council and are pleased to see it will be opening back up.
Province Deploys sheriffs to downtown Edmonton
After significant efforts advocating for increased law enforcement in the core, the Government of Alberta announced a 15-week pilot partnership between the Alberta Sheriffs and the Edmonton Police Service that will help deter and respond to crime and social disorder.
Council votes in favor of amending Bylaw 8353
City Council voted 9-3 in favor of amending Bylaw 8353 Conduct of Transit Passengers Bylaw to prohibit loitering and using a controlled substance while on Trans-it Property.
Council passed the Community and Safety Well Being Strategy
City Council passed the Community and Safety Well-Being Strategy including an additional $300K in funding for Chinatown and $4M to social support services in the core
300+ People Attend in City Council Discussions
May 24th kicked off the start of the Safety discussions at City Council and the DRC, together with the Chinatown and Alberta Avenue community were able to activate ~300+ people to attend in person and online.
Steering Committee
Alex Hryciw
Chair, Downtown Recovery Coalition
Director of Strategy, Edmonton Chamber of Commerce
Anand Pye
Vice Chair, Downtown Recovery Coalition
Executive Director, NAIOP, Commercial Real Estate Development Association
Cheryll Watson
Secretary-Treasurer, Downtown Recovery Coalition
Chief Connector, STEM Collegiate
Annemarie Petrov
President & CEO, Winspear Centre
Aziz Bootwala
Sr. Principal, Vice President-Business Development, Kasian Architecture
Bill Blais
President & CEO, McLab Development Group
Chad Helm
Founder, The Helm
Chris Buyze
President, Downtown Edmonton Community League
Chris Lavin
Regional Managing Partner, MNP LLP
Dan Hugo
Chief Financial Officer, ATB
Dan St. Pierre
Director, Strategic Partnerships, Explore Edmonton
Dave Young
Executive Vice President, CBRE Edmonton
Devin Pope
Property Manager, The Gather Co.
Henry Edgar
Partner, EDGAR Development
Jackie Nelson
Acting Vice President, External Relations, NorQuest College
Jan Fox
Executive Director, REACH Edmonton
Jenny Adams
President, The Adams Agency
Jim Brown
Sherrick Management
Kalen Anderson
Executive Director, Urban Development Institute - Edmonton Metro
Kevin McKee
Chief Executive Officer, Pangman Development Corp.
Lisa Baroldi
President and CEO, BOMA Edmonton
Matina Kalcounis-Rueppell
Interim College Dean and Vice Provost, University of Alberta
Mike Sacha
Asset Manager, Triovest
Mike Saunders
Senior Vice President, Qualico Properties
Parm Raeewal
Director, Government Relations, Canadian Bankers Association
Pilar Martinez
CEO, Edmonton Public Library
Puneeta McBryan
Executive Director, Downtown Business Association
Robert Seidel
National Managing Partner, DLA Piper LLP
Sean Kirk
General Manager, Edmonton City Centre
Theresa Vladicka
Acting VP, University Relations, MacEwan University
Supporters
