6. addressed by three Responsible Responsible Hospitality Edmonton programs that 9 work closely together: Street as a Hospitality Edmonton Venue, Public Safety Compliance Team and Jasper Avenue and City Wide Initiatives.
Entertainment Group Edmonton has 13 areas (identified as Update ‘hospitality zones’) where high concentrations of liquor licensed
premises have been identified. The Recommendation: three busiest are Whyte Avenue, Jasper That the June 27, 2012, Sustainable Avenue and West Edmonton Mall. In Development report 2012SHE104, be 2011, Whyte Avenue had 9,800 late- received for information. night licensed seats, Jasper Avenue had 10,000 licensed seats and West Report Summary Edmonton Mall had 12,000 licensed seats. While these areas create a This report highlights the recent work vibrant destination for residents and of Responsible Hospitality Edmonton visitors alike, the sheer numbers of and provides a breakdown of people can also create negative spending of the funding allocated to impacts. begin implementation of the recommendations of the Jasper Street As A Venue Whyte Avenue Avenue Entertainment Working Whyte Avenue remains one of the most Group. vibrant and busy hospitality zones in the Report city and fortunately, no longer gleans the highest level of negative media During the February 16, 2011, City attention. The Street As A Venue Council meeting, Council approved the Coordinator – Whyte Avenue release of the approved 2011 budget of coordinated and promoted initiatives $250,000 to enable Administration to that support keeping the Whyte Avenue proceed with the implementation plan. area a safe and vibrant place to This report highlights some of the work socialize. Initiatives include: being done by Responsible Hospitality
Edmonton. A full report of 2011 1. Public Toilets: Construction began on accomplishments is available upon the permanent washrooms (led by request. Infrastructure Services). These will be
open for public use by summer 2012. In Responsible Hospitality Edmonton’s addition, four temporary facilities are mandate is the creation of safe and located along Whyte Avenue and will vibrant spaces to socialize, by continue to be operated year-round. coordinating six core elements: Vibrancy and Late Night Economy, Quality of Life 2. Late Night Transportation (Night (cleanliness and nuisance), Venue and Ride): In collaboration with Edmonton Public Safety, Late Night Transportation, Transit, Vehicle for Hire, Edmonton Community Policing, and Patron Police Service, and stakeholders, Responsibility. These elements are
ROUTING – Executive Committee | DELEGATION – M. A. Debrinski WRITTEN BY – A. Turner | June 27, 2012 – Sustainable Development 2012SHE104 Page 1 of 5
Responsible Hospitality Edmonton and Jasper Avenue Entertainment Group - Update
Responsible Hospitality Edmonton a one-time funding package of $250,000 developed an integrated late night bus to implement year one of the approved and taxi pilot project that provided plan. A full-time Street as a Venue transportation off of Whyte Avenue from Coordinator was hired in spring 2011. 1:30 a.m.–3:30 a.m. on weekends. The See Attachment 2 for detail on the use bus provided transportation from Whyte of the funding package. Highlights Avenue to the University, through include: communities to the south, ending at the Southgate Transit Centre. A Taxi Stand 1. Public Toilets: Temporary toilets on was set-up with easy access to the Jasper Avenue in 2011. The three Whitemud Freeway to provide further locations, between 107 Street and 109 transportation in all directions. The pilot Street, saw an increase of 9,255 litres was very successful. See Attachment 1 removed over 2010. There is no funding for more details. available for temporary toilets on Jasper Avenue in 2012. Night Ride was a pilot project that explored the opportunity to offer regular 2. Late Night Transportation: Safety late night transit service along Whyte measures were initiated to increase Avenue and for events such as the safety on Jasper Avenue with the Elements Music Festival. Every Edmonton Police Service, the Chief weekend Whyte Avenue, Jasper Livery Officer, Oil City Roadhouse, taxi Avenue, and West Edmonton Mall each brokers and Transportation Services. host roughly the same number of The initiatives undertaken include: patrons as the recent electronic music • Four taxi staging areas created festival at Northlands. along Jasper Avenue at 107 Street, 109 Street, 114 Street and 116 3. Patron Responsibility: In collaboration Street. with the University of Alberta and • Piloting of solar taxi sign near 107 Alberta Health Services, a grant was Street to direct patrons to a nearby secured to do research on “Alcohol- taxi staging area. Towards a Culture of Moderation.” A • Hooding of parking meters, enabling survey was conducted of 2600 Whyte taxis to pick up patrons more easily Avenue /Jasper Avenue /West and more safely after midnight. Edmonton Mall patrons on their triggers • Pedestrian Management: On-going for cessation of drinking and knowledge education to encourage proper of the Low Risk Drinking Guidelines. behaviour in hailing a taxi safely. This information will be used to inform • New evening protocols for Oil City the Low Risk Drinking Guidelines and Roadhouse and Edmonton Police develop targeted patron responsibility Service in the early evening set-up of campaigns. pedestrian stands.
Street As A Venue Jasper Avenue 3. Public Safety Compliance Team 2011 marked the beginning of the In 2011, the Public Safety Compliance implementation of the Jasper Avenue Team visited 220 premises. Of those, Entertainment Working Group Plan, with 191 contacts were regular unannounced
Page 2 of 5
Responsible Hospitality Edmonton and Jasper Avenue Entertainment Group - Update team inspections and 29 were meetings Many of the projects undertaken by arranged with the premises to address Responsible Hospitality Edmonton have specific concerns. Three premises were city-wide implications. In 2011, dealt with by way of a Business License Responsible Hospitality Edmonton Review Request or the utilization of focused on a number of initiatives to emergency powers under the Municipal foster relationships, encourage Government Act . collaborative solutions, and increase awareness of the City of Edmonton’s 4. Business License Renewal Process: night time economy. Initiatives include: The Public Safety Compliance Team worked closely with the Licensing 1. Large Events: Both Street as a Venue Section, Current Planning to develop a Coordinators and the Public Safety new Business License Application Compliance Team assisted various Process for a Minors Prohibited license. community, civic and private partners in Those applying for a Minors Prohibited the planning of large events that serve license must now submit improved alcohol and provided large event documentation to the City in order to programming support relative to receive a valid business license. arrangements for late night safety and security. Examples include festivals, 5. Violence Reduction Strategy: In Grey Cup, Canada Day, Halloween, August 2011, a Violence Reduction New Years Eve, and other large events Strategy was developed by Edmonton city-wide and in hospitality zones. A Police Service, City of Edmonton, and recent focus has been on planning for REACH. The Public Safety Compliance safety at electronic music events. Team is identified as an initiative that plays a role in reducing the severity, Involvement in the planning stages for frequency, fear and perception of all events allows for more effective violence as it relates to alcohol and deployments of resources for all liquor licensed premises. involved agencies. Most importantly, from a proactive perspective, 6. Community Hall Events: Such events involvement in the planning stage helps continued to be an area of concern in ensure potential public safety risks are 2011. In collaboration with Community identified and tactics developed to Services, the Edmonton Federation of mitigate such risks. Community Leagues, and the Edmonton Police Service - Crime Prevention Unit, 2. Best Bar None: Responsible changes were made to the tripartite Hospitality Edmonton, Edmonton Police license agreement to support better Service, and Alberta Gaming and Liquor regulation and enforcement of events. In Commission are partners in Best Bar addition, a Guide to Community Hall None, a recognized accreditation and Rentals was developed to educate awards program that promotes the Community Leagues on what to look for responsible management and operation and ask of prospective renters. of alcohol-licensed premises. 2011 was the second year of the program, with 42 City Wide Initiatives premises successfully meeting the
Page 3 of 5
Responsible Hospitality Edmonton and Jasper Avenue Entertainment Group - Update criteria and receiving accreditation. This to the late night economy and continues is an increase in accredited venues from to network with outside agencies/cities the previous year total of 38. with similar concerns and issues involving the hospitality industry. 3. Late Night Economic Assessment: In External presentations included: 2011, an economic impact assessment of Edmonton’s late-night entertainment Alberta Health Services – Edmonton – economy was undertaken by the Office Brief Interventions for Young Adult of the Chief Economist and Responsible Alcohol Harm Reductions Hospitality Edmonton. By conducting an International Downtown Association – economic analysis, the City can better Chicago – Nightlife and Numbers – the understand the significance of the Edmonton Experience sector. Alberta Downtown Association – Red Edmonton has a vibrant nightlife and a Deer – Nightlife and Numbers – the thriving late-night entertainment Edmonton Experience economy which contributes to Edmonton’s social and cultural fabric, Institute of Transportation Engineers – improving the City’s viability and appeal Northern Alberta Section – Why is Night for both local residents and tourists. This Ride Important: Planning for the Third sector also creates thousands of jobs Rush Hour and generates millions of dollars in economic output. Yet, like many cities, Safer Bar Council – Soft Closings Edmonton is not fully aware of, nor does it formally recognize, the contributions of Responsible Hospitality Institute – the late-night-entertainment economy. Sociable City Showcase. Edmonton See Attachment 3 for the key findings of Showcase this report.
4. Entertainment Policing: Responsible Corporate Outcomes Hospitality Edmonton and Edmonton • Improve Edmonton’s Liveability Police Service Beat Officers work • Transform Edmonton’s Urban Form closely in the delivery of service to the • Diversify Edmonton’s Economy night clubs. Responsible Hospitality Edmonton and Downtown Beat Units Attachments commissioned a report to explore other 1. Night Ride Evaluation Summary police agencies’ training models and best practice guidelines for hospitality 2. Responsible Hospitality Edmonton policing. The report has been provided Expenditures of Jasper Avenue to Edmonton Police Service for future Entertainment Working Group 2011 consideration in training entertainment- Funding area officers. 3. Late Night Economic Impact Summary 5. Resources: Edmonton is recognized as a leader in the provision of services
Page 4 of 5
Responsible Hospitality Edmonton and Jasper Avenue Entertainment Group - Update
Background Information Available on Request from the Department 1. 2011OPI001 – Responsible Hospitality Edmonton Service Package Work Plan 2. 2012DCM064 – Jasper Avenue Entertainment Working Group Recommendations Others Reviewing this Report • R. Boutilier, General Manager, Transportation Services • L. Rosen, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer • L. Cochrane, General Manager, Community Services
Page 5 of 5
Attachment 1
Night Ride Evaluation Summary
Background
Late night transportation is an essential element of safe and vibrant late night economies. The lack of adequate and timely egress from Edmonton’s hospitality zones was: • identified on Whyte Avenue in reports addressing issues relative to Canada Day 2001, • the Old Strathcona Task Force (2005), • Responsible Hospitality Leadership Summit (2006), and • the Jasper Avenue Entertainment Working Group (2010).
In 2010, late-night transportation was identified as an issue by 35% of public survey respondents and was the subject that generated the most comments. Most recently the need for the provision of late night transportation was identified as a key contributor to public safety at the Elements Music Festival held in April 2012.
In August 2010, as part of the work of the Jasper Avenue Entertainment Working Group, a multi-disciplinary Transportation sub group developed solution-oriented concepts for future implementation. Group members included Edmonton Police Services, Taxi Commission, the University of Alberta, a citizen representative, a business owner representative, Sustainable Development, Transportation Services and Responsible Hospitality Edmonton. This group developed a concept that integrated buses and taxis by using buses to move people on core routes ending at existing major transit centres with taxi stands to take people to further destinations. The concept allowed for large numbers of riders to be dropped off close to their homes and existing transit centres as natural bus/taxi transfer points. Using transit centres there is also the potential for supervision, shelter, washrooms and other amenities. The concept can be matched to need, can be scaled, is customizable, and is relatively economical. With the receipt of one-time funding through the Jasper Avenue Working Group in February 2011, planning began in earnest to complete additional consultation and determine a pilot route.
Night Ride was originally scheduled for fall 2011 and was postponed to January 2012 to allow for additional consultation with community residents. The pilot launched January 6, 2012 and finished 15 weeks later on April 14, 2012.
Page 1 of 5 Report: 2012SHE104 Attachment 1
Attachment 1
Night Ride results
From a Responsible Hospitality Edmonton perspective the Night Ride pilot has been successful, having shown that similar to New Year's Eve, people who socialize late into the night can be provided public transportation home without undue concerns for passengers, bus or taxi drivers, or community.
With input from community and partners, the evaluation criteria for Night Ride was: 1. Ridership 2. Safety (at bus stops, on the bus, at the transit centre, at the taxi stand, and in the community) 3. Sustainability 4. Taxi Participation 5. Community Impact 6. Rider and public comments
Reporting mechanisms included reports and feedback from Edmonton Police Service, Edmonton Transit System, the taxi industry, 311, e-mails and phone calls, and user survey.
Below are the results of the evaluation:
1. Evaluation Criteria - Ridership - Is there enough to warrant the service?
In Transportation Services’ April 24, 2012, report to Transportation Infrastructure Committee (2012TS78813), Transportation wrote: “The key indicator used to evaluate bus route performance is boardings per hour (as outlined in the Transit Policy C539.) For late night service, the current standard would be a combined average of 15 boarding per hour.” Night Ride met this standard 60% of the time, as stated below.
Night Ride route required 6.55 hours of service per night. Applying the current standard, the minimum ridership threshold was 98 passengers per night after 2 years, 49 passengers after 1 year. Night Ride was only a 15 week pilot. • Of the 15 weekends, the one year minimum target was exceeded 18 of the 30 nights it was offered (60 percent of the nights).
Other information: • 45 percent of riders boarded between 2:15 am and 2:45 am • 30 percent of riders disembarked at the University • 25 percent of riders disembarked at Southgate and took a taxi further • 4-8 people self-identified as employees who used the service on a regular basis to get home from work • The most regular customer was a senior citizen who is a devotee of Blues on Whyte.
Page 2 of 5 Report: 2012SHE104 Attachment 1
Attachment 1
2. Evaluation Criteria - Safety – does the level of incidents warrant the service?
• Incidents of disorder at bus stops 0 reported • Incidents of disorder on bus 1 reported - someone lit a cigarette • Incidents of disorder at Transit Centre 0 reported • Incidents of disorder with taxi drivers 0 reported • Number of 'sick' buses 1 reported
Bus drivers submitted reports to Edmonton Transit System as per usual protocols. Edmonton Transit System Security rode on the bus on occasion.
At the community’s request to ensure safety, Edmonton Police Service Officers were placed on site at the Southgate Transit Centre for the beginning of the pilot. This was discontinued after 3 weeks as Edmonton Police Service did not determine it to be necessary since no incidents were observed.
As agreed to with Southgate Mall, a Concierge (Paladin Security) was on site for the remaining 12 weeks and the primary function was to hail taxis and record numbers of patrons using taxi’s and the wait time. This service would not be required beyond this pilot.
Edmonton Transit System Security addressed several issues at the Transit Centre; these were not outside the scope of usual late night occurrences dealt with by Transit Security which is in place 24/7.
Page 3 of 5 Report: 2012SHE104 Attachment 1
Attachment 1
3. Evaluation Criteria - Sustainability – costs/revenue or costs/benefits
Edmonton Transit System Expenses (Direct, Incremental) - $31,3 20 Note 1 Revenue - Note 2 1,950 Total ETS Net Expenses $29,370
Responsible Hospitality Edmonton Budgeted expenses 4,500 Security (EPS & Paladin) - Note 3 4,130 Bus monitor/data collection - Note 3 7,800 Total RHE expenses $16,43 0
Total Pilot Project Expenses (Net of revenue) $45,800
Notes: 1. Base level required, not maximized 2. Cash/tickets/passes (561 riders/126 riders/1290 riders, respectively) 3. Costs non-budgeted and specific to community request
Cost/benefit analysis – It is difficult to quantify and place a monetary figure on the benefit of the value of 1,943 riders who made a responsible, safe and convenient choice to get home; plus the benefit of injuries, assaults and accidents that did not happen.
Also note that the vast majority of riders had passes and so did not contribute any new revenue to the route, but did still use the service.
4. Evaluation Criteria - Taxi Participation - wait time for taxi at transit centre
• 20 percent or 314 passengers took taxis from Southgate with a majority departing within 10 minutes. • Some patrons had issues with taxi drivers who refused to take them to their destination once in a taxi. This also occurs on Whyte and Jasper Avenues and at West Edmonton Mall. • Increased profitability for taxi drivers, as a Southgate stand eliminated an additional 30 block drive to get a fare. • Going forward, a mechanism to hail a taxi is needed. A suggestion is a patron activated TAXI sign that Taxi drivers can see as they cross the Whitemud overpass and thus have time to change lanes safely.
5. Evaluation Criteria - Community Impact - Reported crime or disturbance (Edmonton Police Service or 311)
• Incidents of disorder in on-route communities 0 reported
Page 4 of 5 Report: 2012SHE104 Attachment 1
Attachment 1
• Incidents of disorder in Southgate communities 3 reports*
*Upon follow-up, none of the incidents were supported as being Night Ride patrons, based on data collected by on-bus monitors recording bus disembarkation, taxi stand statistics, and Edmonton Police Service reports.
6. Evaluation Criteria – Rider and public comments
A small number of riders participated in a follow-up on-line survey (45) • 80 percent were regular transit users • 43 percent heard about Night Ride from News Article, 45 percent by word of mouth • 94 percent would use it again • 96 percent would recommend to a friend
The major complaint has been from non-riders who point out that the limited scope of the route was of no value to a large segment of the population who do not live in the area served by the pilot.
311 and Night-Ride online received 15 comments: 5 were negative, 5 were positive, and 5 were requests for information.
Summary
Night Ride was a success: • Ridership was developing at a rate anticipated to meet targets • Behaviour on the bus was acceptable and better than expected • An integrated Bus-Taxi system does work • Benefits far exceed the risk with an extension of transit services for an additional two hours, until 3:30 a.m. on weekends.
Responsible Hospitality Edmonton supports the options outlined by Edmonton Transit a report to TIC on April 24, 2012, (report 2012TS7813) on late night transportation through entertainment districts. Responsible Hospitality Edmonton advocates for the service to begin on Friday and Saturday nights as soon as possible.
The Night Ride report will be posted on the website once it is available.
Page 5 of 5 Report: 2012SHE104 Attachment 1
Attachment 2
Responsible Hospitality Edmonton Expenditures of Jasper Avenue Entertainment Working Group 2011 Funding
In 2011, Responsible Hospitality Edmonton received one-time funding of $250,000, approved by Council December 2010. The funding was approved as per Jasper Avenue Entertainment Working Group Implementation: Service Package 2011. Specific action steps and projected expenditures were identified based on priority, sequencing, and partner readiness.
The following is a summary of the activities funded by the one-time service package:
Funding was divided into 2 areas: 1) City Wide and 2) Jasper Avenue specific.
Budget Actual Variance City Wide $163,500 $120,000 $43,500 Jasper Ave 86,500 86,300 200 Total $250,000 $206,300 *$43, 700
*Night Ride Pilot postponed to January 2012
1) City-Wide In recognition of the complex nature of the issues and challenges, it is clear that there is a role for research, policy, and system coordination required to create a safe and vibrant nightlife.
Recommendation Specific Supports Status Vibrancy Economic impact assessment of City Wide Survey completed with businesses. night life economy Results to be analyzed spring 2012. Patron survey carried forward to 2012. Quality of Life Public process relative to City Wide Work carried forward zoning, development and Public licensing revision Safety Compliance Team/Street As a Venue
Page 1 of 4 Report: 2012SHE104 Attachment 2
Attachment 2
Recommendation Specific Supports Status Venue and Public Public process and information City Wide Discussions held with Calgary and Safety gathering relative to soft closings Public Province. Province not ready at this Safety time. Compliance Team/Street As a Venue Continue to support and City Wide Completed for 2011. Annual program promote Best Bar None Public Safety Compliance Team Increase potential for City Wide Seed money for various community matching/support for Public projects collaborative initiatives in social Safety marketing Compliance Team/Street As a Venue Transportation Public process and information City Wide Completed Intercept survey in spring gathering relative to Public 2011. 800 responses from Edmonton transportation options Safety residents on Whyte and Jasper. Compliance Team Support trials in systematic City Wide Late Night pilot delayed changes to public transit Public Costs expended included public provision Safety consultation, promotional material and Compliance some program expenses. Team/Street As a Venue Support trials in systemic City Wide Captured on Jasper Ave chart (below) changes in vehicle for hire Public
Page 2 of 4 Report: 2012SHE104 Attachment 2
Attachment 2
Recommendation Specific Supports Status collaboration Safety Compliance Team/Street As a Venue Staff Resources Program coordination and City Wide project management. Public Safety Compliance Team
2) Jasper Avenue
Progress on the following action steps required a Street as a Venue Coordinator in the role of coordinator and as a liaison between the City departments and between the City, businesses, organizations and other partners potentially engaged in these initiatives.
Recommendation Specific Supports Status Vibrancy Downtown Vibrancy Task Force Jasper Ave Partnered with Edmonton Economic (led by ONEdmonton) project Public Development Corporation– Patio Flash support Safety Mob and Compliance the Downtown Edmonton Forum Team Winter program/projects Jasper Ave Partnered- Mercury Opera, Culture Shift (patron safety campaign) Sidewalk Animation programs Jasper Ave Summer/ Street team projects What the and projects Truck 1 and 2 Survey/meetings - information Jasper Ave Supported Oliver Community League. gathering relative to Oliver League hired a consultant to prioritize streetscaping work.
Page 3 of 4 Report: 2012SHE104 Attachment 2
Attachment 2
Quality of Life Extension of cleanliness Jasper Ave Purchased; Ash trays, garbage recycle programs along Jasper Public containers, meter hoods (ashtrays, litter pick-up, etc) Safety Cleaning of 107street – 109 street and Compliance Jasper Ave Team One year continuation of Jasper Ave Toilets in place June - November Jasper Avenue toilet program with fewer sites. Transportation Support trials in systematic Jasper Ave TAXI stand animation, safety stands, changes to Jasper Ave Public research, pilot new techn ology solar Taxi transportation provision Safety sign Compliance Team Staff Resources Hire a Street as a Venue Jasper Ave SAV- JA recruitment completed. Coordinator from existing City Wide resources Public Safety Compliance Team /Street As a Venue
Page 4 of 4 Report: 2012SHE104 Attachment 2
Attachment 3
Late Night Economic Impact Summary
An economic impact assessment of Edmonton’s late night entertainment economy was undertaken by the City of Edmonton’s Office of the Chief Economist and Responsible Hospitality Edmonton in 2011, with guidance from the Responsible Hospitality Institute. Similar assessments have been done in Austin, Seattle, and New York.
By conducting an economic impact analysis, we can better understand the economic significance of this sector in relation to the local economy. This report is intended to spur thought and discussion on the economic role this sector plays within the City and can be used as a foundation for the ongoing growth, development, and improvement of Edmonton’s late-night entertainment economy. This sector creates thousands of jobs and generates millions of dollars in economic output per annum.
The late-night entertainment economy is diverse and constitutes any of the following types of establishments: eating and drinking establishments, bars, lounges, nightclubs, casinos, music venues, and after-hours clubs. Participation in the study was limited to late night licensed establishments, defined for the purposes of this study as: being open for service after midnight at least one night of the week. The information collected from survey participants includes employment data, patron attendance, and operational and financial values using 2010 financial statements.
In 2011, Edmonton had 235 late-night licensed establishments, which represents 23 percent of licensed establishments. A total of 38 participated in the survey. Using the survey data, an estimate of total annual patron expenditures within this sector was extrapolated. Impact analysis was then conducted using this estimate as the direct impact stimulus to the nightlife economy. The results of the impact analysis provide a reasonable starting place for understanding the economic contribution of the late-night entertainment sector.
The results can be considered a conservative estimate, as establishments not open past midnight were not included. This excludes most restaurants and many lounges. In addition, the survey asked establishments only for their direct revenue from patron expenditures. A second survey will be done in 2012 asking patrons about their ancillary expenditures before and after visiting late-night venues, including, but not limited to: dining, shopping, theatre, and transportation. This report is limited to an analysis of the economy-wide impacts of patrons making expenditures directly within late-night entertainment establishments.
In 2010, the total economic output generated from this sector was over $686 million. Gross domestic product generated from this sector that year was estimated to be $310 million. The late-night entertainment economy also created over 5,800 full-time equivalent jobs in 2010.
Page 1 of 3 Report: 2012SHE104 Attachment 3
Attachment 3
Table ES: Summary of Economic Impacts Category Total Economic Impact Total Economic Output $686,511,073 Gross Domestic Product (GDP) $310,008,796 No. of Full-Time Equivalent Jobs 5,807
The late-night entertainment economy provides diverse opportunities within Edmonton’s labour market. It offers many jobs for students, as well as part-time employment for individuals who do not seek full-time work. In addition to this, the nightlife economy creates a large number of entry-level jobs for young individuals, gaining them access to the workforce.
The survey of late-night entertainment businesses revealed that, on average, only 28 percent of all employees in this sector are full-time, with 72 percent maintaining part- time employment. Students also make up the lion’s share of part-time employees, comprising 60 percent of all part-time positions in the late-night entertainment economy.
Comparatives
On their own, these numbers are large and somewhat difficult to interpret. By comparing and contrasting them with the economic impacts generated by other industry sectors and events, we can form a better understanding of what these numbers mean.
A study conducted in 2006 of the four Edmonton Airports estimated their total annual economic impact ( direct plus indirect effect) to be $1,383 million in output, $570 million in Gross Domestic Product, and more than 8,600 full-time equivalent jobs. 1 Comparing these figures with the late-night entertainment economy, which in 2010 generated over $686 million in output, over $310 million in Gross Domestic Product, and over 5,800 full- time equivalent jobs, we can see the late-night entertainment economy is almost one- half the size of the Edmonton Airports, on an economic output basis.
Edmonton’s Capital Ex annual fair generates $20 million in economic output, $11 million in Gross Domestic Product and about 250 full-time equivalent jobs per year.2 The Calgary Stampede is another large festival held annually in Calgary, Alberta, that generates $172 million in economic output, $83 million in Gross Domestic Product, and creates over 1,580 full-time equivalent jobs per year.3 On an economic output basis, Edmonton’s late-night entertainment economy is over 34 times as large as Capital Ex, and approximately 4 times as large as the Calgary Stampede.
What it means
1 InterVISTAS Consulting Inc. 2006. Edmonton Airports Economic Impact Study: Summary Report . 2 Enigma Research Corporation. 2008. Large Fair Benefits Study: The Economic, Social, and Educational Benefits of Large Fairs . 3 Ibid.
Page 2 of 3 Report: 2012SHE104 Attachment 3
Attachment 3
Edmonton has a vibrant nightlife and a thriving late-night entertainment economy. It contributes to the social and cultural fabric of the City, and improves the City’s viability and appeal for both local residents and tourists.
Both daytime and nighttime economies are important to the life of Edmonton. However, the issues and challenges facing each are significantly different. In particular, the late- night entertainment economy poses unique issues with respect to the management, planning, and municipal services it requires.
Areas of the City that host the late-night entertainment economy experience large volumes of night-time visitors and undergo significant changes at night. These changes affect public spaces and how they are used. 4 Economic diversity, public transportation options, as well as the availability of other services are markedly different from day to night. 5 In many respects, Edmonton is a different city at night than in the day.
Edmonton’s late-night entertainment economy has experienced substantial growth; however, much of the necessary infrastructure, municipal services, and planning have not kept abreast. As a result, areas of the City that host these economies may face public safety concerns, as well as reductions in quality of life. As the economy and population of Edmonton continue to grow, and we continue to implement the redevelopment plans currently in place, we can assume that the late-night entertainment economy will also continue to grow.
Like many cities, Edmonton has not had a way to quantify or formally recognize the positive contributions of the late-night-entertainment economy. This lack of formal recognition has resulted in an under-provision of municipal services and planning for this economic sector.
Residents and tourists alike view vibrant nightlife economies as characteristics of an enjoyable and livable city. We must continue to work towards increasing the functioning and provision of support to this economic sector. Fostering and servicing a healthy and vibrant late-night entertainment sector will help the City achieve its aspirations to become a global city.
4 City of Sydney. 2011. Open Sydney – Future directions for Sydney at night. A discussion paper by the City of Sydney to help develop a policy to guide Sydney’s night-time economy over the next 20 years. 5 Ibid.
Page 3 of 3 Report: 2012SHE104 Attachment 3