Organizations’ push for Whyte Ave revitalization and pedestrian spaces

EDITOR’S NOTE: This article has been updated to clarify that the Old Strathcona Business Association and Paths for People are advocating for the City of Edmonton’s Old Strathcona Public Realm Strategy, a city-led initiative focused on public infrastructure improvements, not private businesses.

Two local organizations have created a joint-letter writing campaign advocating to push forward the revitalization of the Old Strathcona District.

One of the key actions of the Old Strathcona Public Realm Strategy (OSPRS) is to pedestrianize the part of 83 Avenue to increase foot traffic. Cheryl Villetard with Paths for People says it is a low-cost and high-impact initiative.

“We see it close quite frequently along 83 Avenue here for festivals. So around 30 days a year already it’s closed, and so it’s a really easy way to implement giving back more spaces to the people,” said Villetard.

Some local businesses like Mark Wilson with Vivid Print also support the idea.

“I think it’s a really strong move. During the pandemic, we experimented, and when parking spaces were removed, we actually saw an increase in business,” said Wilson, co-owner of Vivid Print.

The Old Strathcona Business Association and Paths for People are advocating for the public realm strategy which is an initiative that is led and funded by the City of Edmonton. 

Their joint letter-writing campaign is pushing the city council to prioritize public infrastructure improvements, including sidewalks, roadways, and public spaces, all of which have deteriorated over the last 40 years.

“Within three kilometres around our area, there are 80,000 residents, and that’s only going to grow. Our current infrastructure is not going to survive that growth,” said Cherie Klassen, the executive director of the Old Strathcona Business Association.

Other key action items like lessening parking anxiety, accelerating the implementation and allocating capital funding are included in their joint letter-writing campaign.

The Urban Planning Department developed the strategy after land-use studies identified Old Strathcona as an area in need of revitalization. 

It solely focuses on public infrastructure such as crumbling sidewalks, lifted tree grates, and potholes and not private businesses. The last major revitalization of Whyte Avenue occurred in the 1980s.

“For a district as vibrant as Whyte Ave., which brings in hundreds of thousands of tourists every year, why haven’t we had a proper mechanism for revitalization in over 40 years?” asked Klassen.

The strategy was initially set to be presented to the Council’s Urban Planning Committee on September 17 but has since been rescheduled to October 8, 2024. 

The joint campaign encourages residents, business owners, and visitors to voice their support for the OSPRS ahead of the upcoming council meeting.