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Tuesday's guest presentation was especially interesting, as Conrad Nobert from the Strathcona Community League shared some of their plans for partnering with the city on the renewal of our neighbourhood.
The city designates areas for renewal over a five-year project life cycle. Beginning in 2019, Strathcona is scheduled for projects and upgrades totaling some $42 million. In past, such decisions have largely been left up to the city, typically replacing "like for like", ie, new sidewalks being put down in exactly the same way and the same place as the old sidewalks. Recently in Edmonton, community-led initiatives have moved away from that trend, with the planning of renewals becoming more collaborative, leading to communities that better meet the needs and vision of the people living there.
The Strathcona Community League's vision is that, "The streets, sidewalks and intersections of Strathcona Centre Neighbourhood are safe, comfortable, beautiful, and accessible to all users. Strathcona Centre is Edmonton’s first Vision Zero Neighbourhood." This re-imagining of the community and the preliminary concepts put forward by the League are truly world-class, paving the way for an environment that is inviting and functional. A team of students from the University of Alberta’s Urban Planning Committee is participating, with four students creating three different concept plans, each of which will present a different vision for the new Old Strathcona.
An extensive Community Engagement process design begins in December and runs through April of next year. Those of us who live and work in the neighborhood might consider participating in this exciting initiative. Learn more here.