Edmonton city council votes to extend downtown revitalization levy to 2044

Edmonton city council. (CityNews)

Posted June 29, 2025 11:26 am.

Edmonton City Council has voted to extend the Downtown Community Revitalization Levy (CRL) for another 10 years. The decision came Friday night after two days of council debate and hearing from community members.

The levy allows the city to borrow against future property tax revenues—collected within the CRL zone—with funding from the province, in order to invest in downtown infrastructure upgrades. Among the proposed projects is a controversial event park next to Rogers Place, linking public funds to the Oilers Entertainment Group.

Alberta’s Minister of Municipal Affairs, Dan Williams, said in a statement to CityNews:

“We are pleased Edmonton City Council has upheld the Memorandum of Understanding they signed with us by voting to extend the Downtown Community Revitalization Levy. Our government is supportive of this extension, and it will enable us and the City to move forward with the MOU, which would support a new event centre, enable housing development through necessary servicing, and contribute to the future demolition of the Coliseum. These projects will help expand housing options downtown and drive economic growth by ensuring Edmontonians and visitors have year-round access to incredible sports, cultural events, entertainment, and much more.”

With Friday’s vote, the CRL is now extended until 2044.

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