19025 Building Capital.PMD

BuildingBuilding thethe CAPITALCAPITAL CITYCITY Edmonton City Council’s Special Initiatives 2005–07 May 2005 Front centre: Mayor Stephen Mandel Next row: Councillors Linda Sloan, Janice Melnychuk, Jane Batty, Michael Phair, Mike Nickel Back row: Councillors Ron Hayter, Ed Gibbons, Terry Cavanagh, Dave Thiele, Kim Krushell, Karen Leibovici, Bryan Anderson Edmonton City Council 2 Draft — Edmonton City Council’s Special Initiatives 2005–07 May 2005 New deal Aboriginal community, health groups, community groups, business groups, arts Edmonton is leading the quest for a new deal groups. Joint investment of the extraordinary for Canadian cities. Cities that “work” need spirit possessed by these individual entities secure and steady funding in order to will bring innovative solutions to issues manage their own futures. Property taxes ranging from affordable housing to alone cannot cover the cost of cities’ new and infrastructure, neighbourhood revitalization expanding responsibilities. to transportation. Edmonton and Calgary have repeatedly And the partnership opportunities don’t stop urged the Government of Alberta to listen to at the civic borders. Edmonton’s future is the messages of the “big city agenda.” The linked to the future of our regional two centres contribute significantly toward neighbours and those to the north. the overall fortune of Alberta. They need to be at the table with the province in achieving its vision of a “vibrant and prosperous New image province ... where people are free to achieve their full potential.” Cities with “quality of place” — described as Look around The provincial government announced this desirable amenities, lifestyle and environment April a new infrastructure grant to meet the by noted economic expert Richard Florida — Your city is growing. The cranes are back on unique priorities of Alberta communities. The have a competitive advantage in the new the skyline and new businesses are starting up funding is certainly welcome, and proof that world marketplace. They attract the workers everywhere. the Government of Alberta is taking a business seeks, investment follows and the community overall prospers. Edmonton is building again, something we farsighted approach to municipal issues. haven’t witnessed since the early ’80s. The City sees this as a good start toward a Edmonton has what it takes to be a desirable destination for talent and business. Strong Edmonton City Council is stepping forward to new deal model that serves the interests of all communities. Theatre. First-class education. harness this new energy and build the kind of orders of government in Canada. Arts. Music. North America’s most spectacular city and quality of life you expect. river valley. People with passion. And if Edmontonians say they want to hear there New partners variety is the spice of life, this is one zesty are plans for the future of our community. place to live. Council has looked at the opportunities and Municipal government on its own cannot City Council wants Edmonton to be challenges growth brings and put bold execute “future-building” change. The City of recognized for its “quality of place” — now strategies in place to guarantee we are — and Edmonton needs to lead new partnership and into its successful second century as a remain — a capital city in all ways. opportunities among other important players capital city. City Council believes Edmonton needs three in the community: developers, builders, things: a new deal, new partners and a new schools and post-secondary institutions, the image. May 2005 Draft — Edmonton City Council’s Special Initiatives 2005–07 3 BuildingBuilding thethe CAPITALCAPITAL CITYCITY Edmonton City Council’s Special Initiatives 2005-07 Edmonton City Council has set its agenda for the 2005-07 term. The Mayor and Councillors will lead specific ventures with the goal of improving certain aspects of Edmonton’s future. Council’s work plan envisions a CAPITAL CITY: ... with vibrant neighbourhoods ... a safe environment ... a positive international reputation ... a good neighbour and partner ... a culturally rich and welcoming society ... a quality physical environment ... and responsible and responsive government 4 Draft — Edmonton City Council’s Special Initiatives 2005–07 May 2005 Priorities What we want to achieve What we’re doing to get there Vibrant neighbourhoods A city with strong, Affordable Housing Councillors Karen Leibovici, Michael Phair sustainable neighbourhoods ... Increased availability of affordable housing units with ■ Build on current success of the City’s Housing Strategy physically sound ... necessary support services, adequate funding and service to ensure adequate supply of affordable and with opportunity for all partnerships with other government supportive emergency, transitional and long-term citizens housing ■ Take action on Low Income and Special Needs Housing Strategy ■ Work with Vibrant Communities Edmonton, a multi- sector collaborative committed to Family Economic Success, a program for low-income working poor with an emphasis on affordable housing ■ Work with City-initiated trades training project, Women Building Futures, on proposal for a combined training facility and affordable housing development Neighbourhood Revitalization Councillor Janice Melnychuk Vibrant, diversely-populated communities ... with housing ■ Renew physical infrastructure in neighbourhoods choices for all ages and income levels ... reinvigorated through a sustained, multi-year program business areas and increased assessments in mature ■ Move forward with Smart Choices priorities: neighbourhoods neighbourhood revitalization, transit-oriented development (TOD), infill strategy, development incentives for infill and TOD May 2005 Draft — Edmonton City Council’s Special Initiatives 2005–07 5 Priorities What we want to achieve What we’re doing to get there ■ Develop and implement a Walkable Edmonton Strategy to engage community ■ Examine ways the City and developers can provide elements that are important to the community at the front end of new development and redevelopment plans and projects by bringing recommendations relative to timing, costs and staging of neighbourhood or area structure plans (Important elements include trees and boulevards, parks, playgrounds, green spaces, sidewalks, snow removal, connectivity through walkways, parks, natural areas, policing and emergency services, transit service) ■ Provide and enhance alternative mobility modes important to citizen’s quality of life (Including sidewalk and street maintenance, linkages such as pathways, bike paths and routes, curb cuts to ensure mobility for an ageing population, easy, efficient transit, local, community buses) ■ Target efforts in high priority neighbourhoods with significant social, recreational, economic and environmental issues using a community building model ■ Implement Fort Road Master Plan ■ Implement Brownfields Redevelopment pilot program ■ Engage residents, shoppers, business and property owners in identifying strategies and actions to revitalize communities along 118 Ave. from Northlands to NAIT, focus on strengthening community economic development and improving infrastructure ■ Use the West Edmonton Mall and Old Strathcona Integrated service Teams to further address issues in these neighbourhoods 6 Draft — Edmonton City Council’s Special Initiatives 2005–07 May 2005 Priorities What we want to achieve What we’re doing to get there Jasper East Mayor Stephen Mandel An important piece of Edmonton’s downtown becomes as a ■ Establish a project team to prepare staged plans for vibrant, residential community, a character neighbourhood developing and implementing a new project in and showpiece for the city Jasper East, including a community consultation process Safe community Mayor’s Drug Strategy Councillor Janice Melnychuk A collaborative community approach to the issue of drug ■ Participate in developing a comprehensive and and alcohol abuse for young people up to 24 years based coordinated drug strategy and implementation plan on a four pillar approach: prevention, treatment, harm with other community partners (AADAC, Health reduction and enforcement Canada, Alberta Learning, Edmonton Public Schools, Edmonton Catholic Schools, Edmonton Police A city where all citizens Service, City of Edmonton; citizen input planned) ... the young, the old, the at-risk ... feel safe and secure, and are confident in the preventative and Mayor’s Task Force on Traffic Safety Mayor Stephen Mandel, Councillor Dave Thiele responsive measures in place to deal with Reduced frequency and severity of traffic collisions on ■ Undertake improvements at the most congested health, emergency and Edmonton’s streets through an integrated strategy of intersections and undertake arterial road widening in other community issues engineering, enforcement and education congested areas ■ Work on traffic enforcement initiatives ■ Implement an Integrated Corridor Program in 2005 to address high collision corridors through coordinated engineering enforcement and education initiatives May 2005 Draft — Edmonton City Council’s Special Initiatives 2005–07 7 Priorities What we want to achieve What we’re doing to get there ■ Improve on-scene traffic safety response by implementing Council-approved Emergency Medical Service and Fire Rescue service level targets ■ Develop a long-term integrated road safety plan that may include an Office of Traffic Safety to coordinate and champion Traffic Safety initiatives ■ Implement Safedmonton public education

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