Edmonton mayor expresses support for renewing downtown revitalization levy

Edmonton Mayor Amarjeet Sohi is pushing back against calls to overhaul a downtown tax deferral program.

Standing alongside community groups that have benefited from the city’s downtown community revitalization levy — including the Winspear Centre — Sohi voiced his support for renewing the program.

The levy is set to expire unless city council votes to extend it. Critics have questioned recent plans to use the funds for projects like upgrades to the Ice District fan park.

Sohi says he’s approaching the upcoming public hearing on the program’s renewal with an open mind, but pointed to recent successes tied to the levy — including 3,500 new apartment units in the Ice District and the underground pedway at Churchill LRT station.

“Downtown is not perfect, but it’s on the way to being a better place,” said Sohi. “We have seen the trends, and we cannot just walk away from that — otherwise we will be setting back our downtown for decades to come.”

Residents will have their chance to weigh in at the public hearing, scheduled for Thursday at city hall.

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