Edmonton Minute: Budgetary Concerns, Supportive Housing, and Historic Streetcar Remnants

Edmonton Minute - Your weekly one-minute summary of Edmonton politics

This Week In Edmonton:

• The Agenda Review Committee will meet on Tuesday at 8:30 am. At 9:30 am, the Urban Planning Committee will meet. The Committee will discuss amendments to the Zoning Bylaw to reduce the maximum floor area for commercial establishments in certain residential zones from 300 m² to 200 m². This change aims to balance support for local small businesses with the need to minimize potential negative impacts on neighbouring residential properties. The proposal will be discussed in a future City Council public hearing. Also on Tuesday, at 12:00 pm, there will be a Special City Manager Recruitment Committee meeting to discuss, what else, the recruitment of a City Manager.
  
  
• On Wednesday, at 9:30 am, there will be a meeting of the Executive Committee. On the agenda is a potential policy to help businesses experiencing financial losses during major construction projects. The Committee will also discuss an action plan for addressing the City’s ongoing budgetary issues. We have a plan in mind - only fund the essentials! If you agree, sign our petition demanding City Hall accept that Edmonton Must Get Back To Basics.
  
  
• There will be a City Council Non-Regular Meeting on Thursday at 9:30 am. The agenda includes two private reports - one regarding an Intergovernmental Update and the other regarding a City Manager Update. To end the week, there will be a meeting of the Emergency Advisory Committee on Thursday at 1:30 pm. The Committee will discuss an Emergency Management Program Update.

Last Week In Edmonton:

• NiGiNan Housing Ventures has opened the Pimatisiwin supportive housing facility and shelter in Edmonton, an Indigenous-led housing initiative. Located in the former Sands Inn and Suites, this facility provides both temporary shelter and permanent housing, focusing on supporting those in severe need. It offers 54 supportive housing units and six enhanced care suites, alongside services such as three daily meals and a ceremony room. The project is funded by various government and community organizations.
  
  
• The Edmonton Heritage Festival had to close on its final day due to significant storm damage that affected its infrastructure, including electrical and water systems. Organizers are seeking public donations to compensate for lost revenue, as the pavilions rely on this income to support their multicultural programs. The storm also caused substantial damage to pavilions, with items like food and equipment being ruined. Edmonton Mayor Amarjeet Sohi said that efforts will be made to help the festival recover and return stronger next year. Donations to help with the recovery can be made on the festival’s website.
  
  
• During construction of the Valley Line West LRT in Edmonton, crews uncovered remnants of a historic streetcar line from 1913 under Stony Plain Road near 142 Street. This section of track was part of a line that extended from 124 Street through Jasper Avenue to east Edmonton. The line, which ended service in 1932 due to low ridership, was replaced by buses and trolleybuses. Some of the old railroad ties and spikes have been salvaged and donated to the Edmonton Radial Railway Society.

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