I "heart" yegdt
Why does your downtown matter? Tammy Pidner of the Edmonton Economic Development Corporation shared some insights on why all Edmontonians should care about our downtown.
Essentially, the character and vibrancy of a city is formed based on our downtown. When we imagine Edmonton, we visualize the physical skyline shot. It is important to realize that the downtown core is the centre for business, arts & culture and foreign investment. We are fortunate to have CKUA, the Citadel Theatre, the Winspear, the Art Gallery of Alberta, future Alberta Museum all within blocks of each other. Edmonton is the capital of Alberta which also helps with that foreign investment. The only strange and unusual comment I took out of Tammy’s presentation was the whole “Psychic Centre” argument – just a little too mystic for me.
“It is not downtown vs. the “burbs”” is a wonderful way of thinking. I used to see the downtown as a pain to get to, park and maneuver. Tammy said that the “burbs” need to think of the downtown as our second home. Based on all the arguments above, this is definitely important.
A little history …
1940’s - Downtown was the place to be!
1950’s - Downtown growth continues and the suburbs emerge. Westmount Mall, the first mall, opens in 1955.
1960-70’s - The CN Tower is complete in 1966 and is the tallest in Western Canada. Growth continues outside the downtown core.
1980’s - West Edmonton Mall opened and in some eyes “ripped out the heart of downtown Edmonton”. In 1987, downtown strikes back with improvements to Churchill Square and bylaw changes.
1980-1990’s - Many changes to the downtown core including: the removal of the “rat hole”, MacEwan University [Grant MacEwan Community College at the time] opens, the Shaw Conference Centre is built and the Hotel MacDonald is re-opened.
1997 - The downtown “plan” recognizes that residential dwellings in the core are key to development.
2008 - First grocery store on Jasper Avenue opens: Sobeys.
2010 - Capital City Downtown Plan: A transit oriented plan. Additional investments include: government building expansion; MacEwan University; Ukrainian Museum; CKUA; Norquest College expansion; Royal Alberta Museum; Mercer Tavern; and the Quarters to name a few.
Now what?
-Take part in downtown Edmonton; and
-Spread the word - I "heart" yegdt!
