What does Downtown still need???

[IanO]

In light of all of the recent changes, additions, plans, upgrades etc., what is downtown still lacking? What does it need for you to want to live there, visit there, relocate there?

How do we take downtown from ok to great?

Perhaps your top 5 list.

[Bray88]

All the side streets and roads need a serious upgrade, they are all in very poor condition

[YEGDTFTW]

My list: ( I already live downtown)
- More greenspace withing the down town core. I moved from the Marquis on 106 to the Quest. I am going through some severe greenery withdrawal.
- More visible police presence in the down town core in the evenings. (north of jasper, east of 104th street).
- Turn 104th street into a pedestrian only area with extended patios. Loved the ambiance of the block party. Lets do it more often. Once a month perhaps?

Thats all I can come up with. Everything else is already in progress. A convenience store (7-11), more pubs.

[Sonic Death Monkey]

I live and work downtown. My list:

1. More diversity of retail, restaurants, nightspots and recreational activities. Hardware store, bowling alley, skate park.

2. More promenades overlooking river valley. Extend the McDougall Hill promenade over the road and behind the Hotel Mac to the Shaw. Replace the Terrace with a promenade

3. More residential choices besides 1 bdrm condo - need more family-friendly residences, more 2+ bedrooms, more townhouses

4. Reduction of visual street barriers (LRT entrances, parkade entrances)

5. More public art, greenspaces and water works

[edmontonenthusiast]

1. Promote Downtown. Show to Edmontonians, Albertans, and Canadians that Edmonton is more than West Edmonton Mall. Despite what some say, downtown, while not great, is already a pretty neat place. Restaurants, festivals, museums, theatres, shops, markets, parks, landmarks, plazas, downtown has a lot to offer.

2. Critical mass. #1 would really help with this. We need more people downtown. We need more people living downtown, especially when there is so much room. But often forgotten is that we just need more people in general. People working, people shopping, people sightseeing, people just hanging out. Like it or not, not everybody likes a downtown environment, but that doesn't mean a good chunk of people wouldn't mind a visit every now and then if given incentive to. That leads to three...

3. More attractions to bring forth #2, to give incentive for people who live in Cameron Heights or Namao to spend a few hours of their Saturday downtown. And I don't just mean big things like the Arena or New RAM. We need little things, too, such as that picture frame idea. What a neat, little, quirky thing to have. Those little hidden gems we need more of, essentially. Oh, and much more diverse and interesting a retail scene. I'm tired of seeing everything in new retail spaces turn into a foodspace or office or cashmart.

4. Get projects going. I know you people in the development/architectural field will say it takes time and whatnot, but to a layperson such as myself and most of the city, things are progressing a bit slowly. Get Manu II going. Get the John Day Jasper Ave development going. Get the Kelly-Ramsey revitalization going. Get more condos and apartments going. Get the Arena started for cripes' sake. And I know it's no longer that far away (barring further setbacks) ... but finish Capital Blvd/Centennial Plaza/Fed Building already. Yeah, I know it's not as easy as saying "just do it" at the snap of a finger, but we really do need these projects going.

5. Make Downtown more lively during the winter. Like it or not, this season is a big part of Edmonton's year, and thus it should be better represented in it's culture outside of the Dec. 21-Jan. 1 period. More festivals. I'm looking at you Churchill, LMP, Legislature, 104th, RHW, and Beaver Hills. Perhaps provide heating to patios so they can operate a la Vancouver into November and starting in late March/early April. Heated sidewalks a la Sapporo on key spots (Jasper Ave, 101 St, parts of 102 Ave, 104 St, around Churchill, RHW).

[ajs]

Fully agree with SDM on a bowling alley in downtown. Always thought the old Paramount theatre would make a great spot. A bowling alley/slightly upscale diner combo = killer.

[SteveB]

I also live and work downtown....

1. More top end retail on Jasper so it becomes a shopping hub

2. More cafes with outdoor seating, especially if 104th could become pedestrian only

3. Do something about 103rd street South of Jasper, I live towards the bottom of the 103rd street hill and the rough parkades, barren parking lots etc. could be soooo much better

4. More pubs, I don't mean bars catering to 15 year old drunks, I mean English style pubs where older people like me can hang out, have good food and drink decent beer

5. An airport

6. Get rid of the greyhound bus station ASAP and the "ineteresting" people I see hanging around it at 20:30 every evening.

One of the above is a joke, hopefully you can guess which one

[ajs]

1. More residents - families

2. Independent retail - high end or otherwise

3. Live/work artist spaces

4. Newsstand/Magazine shop

5. Live music venues

[stinger11]

A street blocked off to vehicle traffic with mid-high end restraunts/stores, patios, green space and impactful water features.

Are there any comedy clubs DT now?

A real good bakery and market.

Better curb and road repairs, nicer street light poles.

Triple the size of Oliver pool, add water slides and a spray park!

[bolo]

BBQ pits on the Legislature Grounds. Would be a hit during workday lunches, evenings and weekends. It would also take some of the pressure off Hawrelak which is extremely busy on the weekends.

[ajs]

OOOOOH! Love the Oliver water park idea.

[moahunter]

Originally Posted by SteveB

6. Get rid of the greyhound bus station ASAP and the "ineteresting" people I see hanging around it at 20:30 every evening.

I don't agree with this one, I think its valuable to have bus connection right into the core. Its a bit "classest" to say "get rid of the greyhound", but "red arrow" which caters to a wealthier demographic, can stay. Its more a matter of cleaning up the station and having better security.

Downtown needs more of the empty land to be filled up, IMO that's the biggest thing. I know that's sort of a "what it doesn't need" - i.e. gravel parking lots.

[ajs]

^agreed.

6. A VIA station... oh, that's right!

[Dusty Bear]

The other day I picked up a bottle of wine at deVine and a loaf of fresh bread from Dauphine to take home as part of dinner, then thought it would be perfect if there were a place like Paddy's Cheese. Sobey's is OK, don't get me wrong, but I'd like a specialty cheese store. And a butcher or deli.

Also, more family-friendly housing.

[The_Cat]

I think more entertainment options would be great. I like the bowling alley and comedy club, and I think dinner theatre might work too. Bars and pubs are nice, but they should not be the primary attraction.

[Titanium48]

Some upper-floor public greenspace. Something like Calgary's devonian gardens, except not in the shadow of other buildings.

[The_Cat]

I think the basement in City Centre East could have more live entertainment, perhaps at Shoppers Drug Mart if it closes. The garden could go on the third floor.

[IanO]

Originally Posted by Dusty Bear

The other day I picked up a bottle of wine at deVine and a loaf of fresh bread from Dauphine to take home as part of dinner, then thought it would be perfect if there were a place like Paddy's Cheese. Sobey's is OK, don't get me wrong, but I'd like a specialty cheese store. And a butcher or deli.

Also, more family-friendly housing.

One is supposedly coming to the basement of the Philips Lofts...

[The_Cat]

If CC East would ever approve, a rooftop garden overlooking Churchill Square:

[Bray88]

WATER STRUCTURES!!!!!!! Downtown feels like a dry dingy desert, and water fountains, structures attract people, why dont we hav e any downtown, like at beaver house park or anywhere along Jasper Ave.....

[IanO]

^uh... beaver hills has a waterfall and stream. Currently shut off for maintenance, but it is there.... and City Hall sure has a nice fountain.

That said, I do agree more water features are a good thing.

[ajs]

Yeah water! The City Hall wading pool is packed all summer long.

[Komrade]

Bold crazy idea here

A street shut off completly to traffic. I think 104 would be idea. Or lets get even crazier and shut down Jasper

But I think Downtown needs a strech of fully walkable streets

[IanO]

With all do respect, terrible idea at this point... if anything RHW once KR is done, but I am of the opinion that temporary closures for weekend markets etc. are far far more effective.

[Alex.L]

Temporary closures is the way to go. Look at Yonge & Dundas in Toronto? Busy as hell, but then they shut it right down and hold huge free concerts a few times a year. People don't mind because they're used to it. They've gotten over the growing pains of the situation and now they just find other routes.

It's all about communication. If it's just suddenly shut down one night it will be havoc, but if there is ample notice, proper communication, and/or it happens at regular times (104th farmer's market), people are much more open to it. Nobody's in a hurry on a Saturday morning. Close that street down on a Monday morning though, and there will be all kinds of issues.

[ajs]

7. Bar/Lounge owners less interested in "testing the demographic for franchise possibilities". How about knowing your local community and giving them what they want.

[mnugent]

Off of the top of my head/cool things I've liked in other cities.
1. Bike sharing system/bike lanes
2. 30k more people
3. A Landmark statue like the Christ redeemer in Rio or Jacques Cartier in Quebec City
4. A bowling alley!!
5. A restaurant patio street/more patios in general

[Mla]

A signature downtown highrise, maybe 60 stories.

[Komrade]

Originally Posted by IanO

With all do respect, terrible idea at this point... .

Hahaha I didnt think it was that bad. Lots of cities do it.

[bobinedmonton]

We need to stop obsessing about the 10 square blocks in a city where most of the people that live in Edmonton haven't been, have no desire to go there, have no need to go there, and wouldn't go there even if they wanted to because its too damn awkward to get there.

And the two times a year I go there, I have to pay to park and the traffic lights are timed in such a way that it takes forever to get in or out.

There aren't any major retailers there that aren't in a suburban shopping plaza with ample free parking.

Why in God's name are we devoting so much time to these 10 square blocks?

Are you aware that plans call for A WHOLE NEW CITY CENTRE to be built in the northeast along Manning Drive surrounding the new LRT station? Are you aware that the province is planning an OUTER RING ROAD to connect highway 28 with highway 21?

Well you sure won't here about it on C2E with its obsession about downtown.

[moahunter]

Originally Posted by IanO

With all do respect, terrible idea at this point...

Because streets like Stephen Ave. or Strogert, aren't filled with many people 7 days a week eating in bars and cafes? Oh, hold on, they are, better not do it then... wouldn't want somewhere quiet in the downtown away from autos filled with people... (and no, Rice Avenue is little more than an alley).



http://www.google.ca/imgres?q=copenh...9,r:4,s:0,i:84

Oh, the humanity, where are the poor autos going to go?



http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images...0052wegu0.jpg/

IMO 102 avenue with low floor would be perfect for this:



http://www.google.ca/imgres?q=lrt+wa...9,r:1,s:0,i:72

[mnugent]

^^Tourists come to a city for its downtown. Business locate in cities where their employees want to live. Many people, especially young educated people, prefer to live in an urban environment as the suburbs are frankly boring if you've lived elsewhere. At the end of the day the day Edmonton's downtown is lacking, if you've ever travelled. And the city is losing a huge economic, benefit as well as quality of life for its residents.

As for the ring road, the last I heard that plan was scrapped in order to focus on LRT funding.

[East McCauley]

Pedestrian only streets have not worked well in the Alberta context. Most of RHW was pedestrian only back in the 1970s and 1980s. It became a bit of a haven for drug dealing and other unseemly activities. A decision was made to redesign RHW that incorporated traffic calming measures but let motor vehicles back in.

Stephen Avenue Mall is often cited as a successful pedestrian mall. It is during weekdays because of the hundreds of thousands of Calgarians working DT. But not so in the evening or at night. That's why the mall is once again open to vehicles from 6 pm to 6 am.

[jagators63]

my top 5 list:

1) need at least 15,000 more people to live in downtown core.

2) Jasper ave need better streetscape from 99 st to 109 st.

3 ) fix up old buildings in warehouse district and elsewhere in downtown core.

4) fill up empty lands

5 ) need many good restaurants and pubs.

[East McCauley]

A few suggestions for improving DT.

A hardware store in or near DT would sure be nice. To make matters worse for us do-it-yourselfers, the building that houses Day's Paints will likely need to be demolished if the so-called DT Connector goes ahead.

Preserve or even expand on-street parking DT. As walkability guru Dan Burden points out, nothing enhances walkability as much as a parked car between you and lanes of moving traffic.

Crack down on property owners who fail to clear sidewalks of snow/ice, to control litter or noxious weeds, or to keep vacant properties in minimal states of repair. These types of flagrant bylaw violations seem to be tolerated DT for reasons I've never understood.

[jstock]

A bylaw change prohibiting surface parking lots.

[bobinedmonton]

Originally Posted by mnugent

As for the ring road, the last I heard that plan was scrapped in order to focus on LRT funding.

Again - there's a whole economy OUTSIDE of downtown, and the upgrader activity in Fort Saskatchewan is what is driving the outer ring road. It is a very real issue in the northeast of Edmonton with numerous information meetings being held.

Apparently, there is a need for a bridge that will accomodate heavy transport vehicles that need to cross the river. This is why there is a plan for a northeast OUTER ring road.

But, even though C2E is supposed to be a site about Edmonton, it has become a Downtown Edmonton site in recent years. Because of this, it is in danger of becoming completely irrelevant.

Perhaps it's time to refocus this website and call it Connect To Downtown Edmonton.

[jagators63]

Originally Posted by bobinedmonton

Again - there's a whole economy OUTSIDE of downtown, and the upgrader activity in Fort Saskatchewan is what is driving the outer ring road. It is a very real issue in the northeast of Edmonton with numerous information meetings being held.

Apparently, there is a need for a bridge that will accomodate heavy transport vehicles that need to cross the river. This is why there is a plan for a northeast OUTER ring road.

But, even though C2E is supposed to be a site about Edmonton, it has become a Downtown Edmonton site in recent years. Because of this, it is in danger of becoming completely irrelevant.

Perhaps it's time to refocus this website and call it Connect To Downtown Edmonton.

outer rings will be completed by 2015 so there is no worries outside downtown core, but downtown core is dead for too long time before it started to worked up in the late 90's and it is a long way to go but downtown growth is getting there.

[Medwards]

Originally Posted by bobinedmonton

We need to stop obsessing about the 10 square blocks in a city where most of the people that live in Edmonton haven't been, have no desire to go there, have no need to go there, and wouldn't go there even if they wanted to because its too damn awkward to get there.

And the two times a year I go there, I have to pay to park and the traffic lights are timed in such a way that it takes forever to get in or out.

There aren't any major retailers there that aren't in a suburban shopping plaza with ample free parking.

Why in God's name are we devoting so much time to these 10 square blocks?

Are you aware that plans call for A WHOLE NEW CITY CENTRE to be built in the northeast along Manning Drive surrounding the new LRT station? Are you aware that the province is planning an OUTER RING ROAD to connect highway 28 with highway 21?

Well you sure won't here about it on C2E with its obsession about downtown.

Obviously bobinsuburbanedmonton isn't aware of what's going on downtown, if the only thing he is looking for is a walmart suburban center... Those aren't city centers.... You don't have museums, conference centers, arenas, art gallerys, etc out in those walmart and home depot "town centers" with miles of free parking...

Bobs obiviously out of touch with whats going on outside of downtown too, as the outer ring road has been cancelled.

Sorry bob, your low cost walmart/kelseys/montanas filled lifestyle isn't found frequently or at all downtown.

[Admin]

I have hidden one post that was a little over the top.

Please stay on topic on this thread, which is about downtown. Other members who want to discuss other areas of the city are welcome to start threads about that area.

[East McCauley]

Originally Posted by jstock

A bylaw change prohibiting surface parking lots.

Beware the law of unintended consequences. In the short-term prohibiting surface parking lots would likely result in more DT properties that look like the Arlington site.

[bobinedmonton]

Originally Posted by Medwards

Bobs obiviously out of touch with whats going on outside of downtown too, as the outer ring road has been cancelled.
.

So, like, if it's been cancelled, why is it still being discussed at the public meetings in the northeast? And why are the greenhouse operators and farmers upset about it?

I suspect, as usual, it's the C2E downtown boosters that are out of touch, as fewer and fewer people care about downtown.

I've said before, the old concept of everybody getting on the bus and LRT at 8AM for their 30 minute trek to downtown and then getting on the LRT for their 30 minute trek back to the suburbs at 5PM is gone. It's not coming back, at least in Edmonton.

People in Edmonton work in suburban industrial parks, and shop in suburban strip malls. What I or anybody else thinks about this lifestyle is irrelevant. That's how people in Edmonton live.

And the northeast, as part of the new town centre development is getting a new industrial park.

And the LRT is going to be extended up Meridian Street past the Henday.

And until more residential development happens downtown, downtown will die. And no amount of museums and arenas will save it.

[bulliver]

Bob, what is your point in trolling this thread? What are you getting at? No one likes downtown, so let it die and spent all resources in the burbs? Really? Do you want Edmonton to become like Detroit?

If you think DT is dying you really don't have any clue about the city you live in.

[bulliver]

As to the original question...more residents, and the rest will fall in place organically.

[moahunter]

Originally Posted by East McCauley

Stephen Avenue Mall is often cited as a successful pedestrian mall. It is during weekdays because of the hundreds of thousands of Calgarians working DT. But not so in the evening or at night. That's why the mall is once again open to vehicles from 6 pm to 6 am.

It is very busy at night now, not what it once was. The autos at night are just slow, one way, allowing cafes to restock, still plenty of activity though. I think its a very good model for 102 Avenue and 104 street. Edmonton doesn't have as many suits, but can create its own vibe, especially as more people live right in the core (whereas they are a little further out in Calgary) - more like Vancouver in this respect.

[AShetsen]

Bob's point that downtown has largely ceased to be relevant in the city's economy is quite true -- if you look at downtown as "the" central business district. All the real economic growth, industrial and commercial, is taking place in the suburbs. The fact is that one new office building has gone up in twenty years, while a bunch more of the older ones have emptied and been demolished.

Downtown's real up-and-coming role is as one of three high-density residential neighborhoods, along with Oliver and Garneau/Strathcona. There it is prospering.

But the fact is that as a residential neighborhood downtown's only significance is local, not city-wide. Yes, go ahead, discuss what downtown needs all you want, some of you have chosen to live there and god bless you. But even the things you want and still miss downtown are just neighborhood amenities. They are not the amenities of any kind of commercial, industrial, or cultural centre.

Enjoy downtown all you want, but be realistic about what it is.

[Sonic Death Monkey]

^ The question remains...do you and bob want us to give up making downtown better than it is? Is that what you want?

[Edmcowboy11]

Some of the things I would love to see in the downtown core:
- Move live music/entertainment venues
- Hardware store
- A few more restaurants
- A wide variety of retailers from high end products to products of moderate retail value.
- Another radio station or tv station with street interaction to their studios.
- More residential units to keep people in the core.
- More artwork (murals, statues, etc...)
- Electronics store
- Museums (ex. telephone museum, edmonton sports hall of fame)

Overall I want to see more interactivity with the buildings and the sidewalks, no more block long buildings with only windows or blank walls with no access into the buildings.

[AShetsen]

To SonicDeathMonkey. Have I said you should stop trying to improve downtown? Not at all. Quite the opposite. If it's your neighborhood, it's only natural to want whatever it is you fell is missing. But be honest. Newstands, cafes, restaurants, pubs, live music spaces and the rest exist or should exist in any neighborhood. Independent retail thrives in the suburban strip malls, the ones I doubt many of you go to. Streetscape improvements are something the city does neighborhood by neighborhood according to a fairly well-defined rotation. Arts venues exist in non-downtown areas already. All these are local improvements. As a central business district, on the other hand, downtown is stagnant at best. And as a cultural centre... Let me ask you a question. How many times have you gone to the art gallery, music hall, or provincial museum in the last decade?

As I said, what you guys really want for downtown reveals pretty well what downtown actually is. It's become a high-density residential neighborhood.

[Medwards]

You're missing the 60,000 + people that work down there, abaka... The highest employment concentration in Edmonton...

You're also missing the 20,000 + people that go to school downtown...

[AShetsen]

What are you saying, MEdwards? 60,000 people = high density. That's what I said. I think you're including Oliver. I separated it out, I think it's got a very different vibe. But even taking Oliver out, it's obvious downtown is high-density and is growing. As I said. As for your other point. Yes, 20,000 people go to school downtown. And 30,000 go to university on the other side of the river.

All I've said is: downtown Edmonton's biggest growth is as a residential neighborhood. I think that's the most appropriate way to look at it going forward. I'm sorry, but why are you being defensive?

[Medwards]

Because I don't think downtown Edmonton will be limited in growth to only "residential" and I believe the trend will continue where office workers far out populate the residential population downtown 5/1.
Your making veiled attempts to say downtown Edmonton has only Residential to look forward to?

[jagators63]

Originally Posted by bobinedmonton

So, like, if it's been cancelled, why is it still being discussed at the public meetings in the northeast? And why are the greenhouse operators and farmers upset about it?

I suspect, as usual, it's the C2E downtown boosters that are out of touch, as fewer and fewer people care about downtown.

I've said before, the old concept of everybody getting on the bus and LRT at 8AM for their 30 minute trek to downtown and then getting on the LRT for their 30 minute trek back to the suburbs at 5PM is gone. It's not coming back, at least in Edmonton.

People in Edmonton work in suburban industrial parks, and shop in suburban strip malls. What I or anybody else thinks about this lifestyle is irrelevant. That's how people in Edmonton live.

And the northeast, as part of the new town centre development is getting a new industrial park.

And the LRT is going to be extended up Meridian Street past the Henday.

And until more residential development happens downtown, downtown will die. And no amount of museums and arenas will save it.

why don't you spend a full year living in downtown core and learn as much as you can, then maybe you realize how important is downtown is to this City here.

[moahunter]

Originally Posted by AShetsen

All I've said is: downtown Edmonton's biggest growth is as a residential neighborhood. I think that's the most appropriate way to look at it going forward. I'm sorry, but why are you being defensive?

I think you have a point. The rate of office and retail growth over the last decade downtown has been pathetic at best, when during the same period, the rate of office and retail growth in suburban and industrial areas has been significant.

I sometimes think there's a lot of 'wishful' thinking that all of the gravel lots will one day be filled with high rise condo's, hotels, offices and similar, where the reality is that if anything, the gravel lots have grown (for every new building, one or two old ones come down or become derelict). Things like the Arena and RAM will help, but they won't be enough.

I actually wouldn't mind some more realistic planning, commercial isn't going to thrive everywhere in downtown, and requirements for all buildings to have commercial at the base, and similar, just limits development. I'd like to instead see thought given to maybe having low rise walk ups and similar being encouraged in areas like the Warehouse lands and Quarters to fill it up (will need disincentives for gravel lots to do it), along with trees and parks, i.e. try to make another Oliver like neighborhood in these areas, rather than hope for something that will never happen. Just end up then with "wishful thinking plans" that never happen, like have so many of.

[AShetsen]

To MEdwards. In terms of business expansion... I just can't see too many new head offices or industry moving back downtown. I don't know where they would come from. Edmonton's economy as a petroleum/petrochemical service/fabrication/support centre doesn't seem too likely to diversify much any time soon. And that's why the growth has been so suburban. The suburbs are where the plants and warehouses go.

So I guess the answer to your last question is yes. Which would be a good thing, no? Isn't being a high-density residential neighborhood, therefore with developed retail amenities, exactly what makes the central south side so appealing?

To moahunter. I agree with you.

[Barry N]

More water features.
Creative building lighting.
A diligent and continuing street cleaning program ( year round )
More police 'beat' officers

[Sonic Death Monkey]

A specialty beer store like Sherbrooke Liquor. It is still the best beer store in Edmonton but a PITA to get to and from, especially with the traffic circle constantly under construction. If they opened a second location downtown, it will be my second home!

[Medwards]

SDM - have you tried the selection at the newly expanded liquor store on 116st/Jasper? (the one next to the husky?) They have a pretty decent selection there now.

[IanO]

Originally Posted by bobinedmonton

Again - there's a whole economy OUTSIDE of downtown, and the upgrader activity in Fort Saskatchewan is what is driving the outer ring road. It is a very real issue in the northeast of Edmonton with numerous information meetings being held.

Apparently, there is a need for a bridge that will accomodate heavy transport vehicles that need to cross the river. This is why there is a plan for a northeast OUTER ring road.

But, even though C2E is supposed to be a site about Edmonton, it has become a Downtown Edmonton site in recent years. Because of this, it is in danger of becoming completely irrelevant.

Perhaps it's time to refocus this website and call it Connect To Downtown Edmonton.

Nobody here is ignoring that fact.

C2E has always intended to be a site dedicated to all of Edmonton and the greater region, but much of the focus/posters/postings have been about central/downtown Edmonton. If you want to talk about other things, have at er, but Downtown has become significantly more in focus of late and that is a very very good thing.

We need renewed focus on the downtown core and central Edmonton if we want to create a complete city. For the past 3 decades downtown has been neglected and it is time for a rebirth; we are starting to see the fruits of this already.

[hotlog]

We need more head office employment in the downtown and thats not just going to pack up and come here.
Make the relocation of Rexall drugs and all subsidiaries (from Missisauga) to the City Centre arena distrcict a part of the deal.

[Shawnessy83]

I've been living downtown for about a month and a half, but have been working and playing downtown regularly for over 6 years. My list includes:

-Rooftop patios. Spots that come to mind (ignoring feasibility) : The roof of Ric's Grill on 104 and 102, Manulife 3rd Floor Terrace, The Jasper 105 Dental building, somewhere on the roof of Enterprise Square, Hy's Steakhouse Building on RHW(perhaps the 3rd floor addition will consider this)...
-Al Fresco every Saturday, in conjunction with the 104 Street Farmers Market - I don't see how difficult this could be, I would love to enjoy an extended Lit/Tzin/Blue Plate patio every weekend, and would really make downtown a destination
-High Level street car service into the late evening - connect Jasper and Whyte

[Municipal Man of Mystery]

How about cleaning up Beaver Hills Park? It's not terrible, but it could be way better with some upgrades to modernize it (new street furniture, etc), and a better police / security presence to help keep the shadier types at bay. More events and promotions to attract more "normal people" (for lack of a better term) in the park would be great. It seems a bit forgotten right now.

I also agree with having tougher controls on the surface parking lots, such as requiring landscaping, hard-surface, enforcing general tidiness and maintenance, etc if the owner doesn't wish to develop at this time. Having food trucks in the parking lots alongside the streets would be great, too, but I know it would be entirely up to the owners of the lots.

bobinedmonton, why don't you start your own thread on suburban northeast Edmonton, or discuss topics important to you on "Connect2FortSaskatchewan."

[The_Cat]

One more thing, I would like to see this city promote its downtown better. It's changed a lot in the past decade, and I think it will be significantly different by the end of this decade.

[IanO]

One more thing, I would like to see citizens promote its downtown better. It's changed a bit in the last decade, but many still believe it is the downtown of 1994.

[JamesL]

Some movement/action on the Edmonton Sports Hall of Fame would be nice. Maybe that'll move to the "arena district" for all I know... but I haven't heard anything about this file for what feels like a very long time.

[IanO]

An Oilers hall of fame likely yes, but Edmonton not likely I dont think.

[The_Cat]

Originally Posted by IanO

One more thing, I would like to see citizens promote its downtown better. It's changed a bit in the last decade, but many still believe it is the downtown of 1994.

I agree Ian, downtown Edmonton has to be promoted and supported by its own people, if we want to encourage tourism and people to visit and live downtown.

I think a great promotional video that could be shot for Edmonton could be one that focuses on the "I hate downtown" attitude that so many people have here. We could have the following cynical arguments:

"There's nothing to do downtown!" - With video of the Works, Street Performers and a Taste of Edmonton.

"Downtown is a bunch of run-down buildings!" - With video of new construction.

I'd like to see all the labels that downtown is infamous for, with the contrast of a different message.

[IanO]

No more fing videos, just come explore something other than WEM or sec

[The_Cat]

I was working downtown late tonight, and about the only fast food option available seemed to be Subway. I was pleased about seeing Sobeys open late, and 7-Eleven ready to open at 104 Street. I'm sure that more of the food joints will be open later as more people move downtown.

[Pita Pit On Jasper]

I opened a pita pit on jasper by 106 as I also noticed the need for more places to eat in that area.