Highlands Transit Loop potential site for affordable housing in Edmonton

Residents of Edmonton’s Highlands neighbourhood gathered Saturday at 11137 61 Street — the Highlands transit loop.

“We’re protesting,” said Yvette Cioran, a Highlands resident. “The City of Edmonton has sent out a ‘Dear Neighbours’ letter, and they’ve said they’re re-zoning for affordable housing.”

Residents received a letter from the City of Edmonton’s real estate team indicating a re-zoning application had been submitted. If approved, the Highlands transit loop would be demolished and the land sold at below-market value to an affordable housing provider. But residents argue the loop holds significant historical value to the community.

“The Highlands streetcar — this is the end of the line for the streetcar,” said Cioran. “It was an agreement that was done between Magrath & Holgate and the City of Edmonton, a $20,000 deal that extended the streetcar line out to Highlands to serve this community, which was a new suburb of Edmonton.”

The Highlands is one of Edmonton’s best-preserved historic neighbourhoods — there is even a walking tour to view homes and sites that have stood for over 100 years. Residents now consider the transit loop an important part of the community’s history.

“There are still residents here who remember riding the streetcar,” said Cioran. “Two people I know — their father, their grandfather — they were conductors on the streetcar. So this is relevant. This is our living history.”

And it’s not just residents of Highlands voicing concern. Edmontonians from across the city are showing their support, saying they’re not opposed to the much-needed affordable housing, but believe historical landmarks in heritage neighbourhoods are also worth preserving and investing in.

“I heard about Highlands and this streetcar site, and I thought, you know what? This is how we protect,” said Jesse Watson, Edmonton city council candidate for Ward Anirniq. “All we have is our identity, and I think it’s so fundamentally important. As a heritage owner myself — I have a historic house, it’s municipally designated, it’s the Coates residence — we can’t lose heritage.”

Watson, a North Edmonton resident with a background in city planning, said the city should invest more into preserving its rich history.

“I look at the city and the growth right now — we’re booming,” said Watson. “We have the most infill we’ve ever had in history. 95 per cent of what’s being built in the mature areas is multi-family rental, which is important — we need rental — but the community’s saying we’re losing context. We’re losing heritage.”

Currently, there is no public hearing date set for the proposed re-zoning of the Highlands transit loop. Opponents of the potential affordable housing site argue there are alternative locations that wouldn’t erase community history.

“You look around — it’s a little tiny site,” said Watson. “It isn’t big. It’s probably going to have 12 units, if it goes ahead. But I think you can find 12 units elsewhere. You’ve got Northlands just up the road — it’s acres and acres of land. I’m sure we could fit something there.”

“I think this is important to all of Edmonton,” said Cioran, “because all of Edmonton comes to Highlands to be a part of our history.”