City of Edmonton :: News

City Accepting Applications for New Taxi Licence Plates

Mon, 06 February 2012 00:00:00 MST

The City will be issuing 100 new taxi vehicle licence plates. Qualified drivers who want to own and operate a cab can apply for a plate starting Tuesday February 7, 2012.

The release of the new plates is part of an agreement with the Edmonton Regional Airports Authority that will improve taxi service and reduce deadheading between the International Airport and Edmonton.

The 50 limited taxi vehicle plates and 50 accessible taxi vehicle plates will be distributed through a random selection from all qualified applicants. To be included in the selection process, applicants must have:

A valid City of Edmonton taxi driver’s licence (Class A or B)
Never owned a taxi vehicle plate in any Alberta municipality
Operated a taxi in an Alberta municipality for the last 12 months
A current employment agreement with a licensed Edmonton taxi broker

Applications must be submitted by 4:30pm on March 1, 2012. There is a non-refundable application fee of $214 for each category of plate (accessible and limited).

Application forms are available on the City’s website, at Edmonton taxi broker offices, or on the 5th Floor of 10250-101 Street NW.

For more information or to submit an application, visit www.edmonton.ca/VehicleForHire or call 311.

A Call for Harmony

Mon, 06 February 2012 00:00:00 MST

Join Mayor Mandel and representatives from multiple faith communities to celebrate World Interfaith Harmony Week.

Date: Tuesday February 7, 2012
Time: noon
Location: City Room, City Hall

World Interfaith Harmony Week, which runs from February 1-7, 2012, was passed as a resolution by the United Nations General Assembly on October 20, 2010 for all nations to celebrate. It encourages different faiths and religions to work towards mutual understanding, harmony and cooperation.

This event is part of the City of Edmonton’s Celebrating our Faiths Program, in collaboration with the Edmonton Interfaith Centre for Education and Action. The program, which includes a display at City Hall, is designed to promote greater awareness and understanding of the city’s diverse faith communities.

Demolition of York Hotel will Clear the Way for New Development

Sat, 04 February 2012 00:00:00 MST

The demolition of the York Hotel has begun. The removal of this building continues the City’s progress in the transformation of downtown, and creates an opportunity for new construction to complement the up-and-coming Boyle Renaissance area.

The City had talked to non-profit groups and developers about using and redeveloping the space or preserving the façade of the building, but it was too expensive. The building is no longer safe to lease out or leave vacant and it does not meet the City’s criteria for historical designation.

“We had hoped to preserve as much of York as possible to anchor this corner of the Boyle Renaissance redevelopment project,” said Gary Klassen, General Manager of the City’s Sustainable Development department. “We’re pleased to announce that the City has preserved some of the original exterior brickwork for incorporation into future development in the area. Now that the site is being cleared for a fresh start, the City is actively seeking potential partners who are interested in developing the land.”

Councillor Jane Batty acknowledged the colourful history of the York Hotel. “In its prime, this building was a community gathering place for generations. Council supports the vision outlined in the Boyle Renaissance plan, and that includes meeting the needs of local residents. We can look forward to the creation of new meeting spaces and facilities that will help bring this community together.”

Remediation work was necessary to properly dispose of hazardous materials in the building. All hazardous abatement work was completed on January 30, 2012. Demolition will commence February 4, 2012 and could be complete by February 6, 2012. Demolition will be followed by site cleanup and grading.

Across the street from the York, construction is underway on Phase I of the City’s Boyle Renaissance redevelopment plan. This includes a new 14,000 square foot Community Centre and 70-stall underground parkade, as well as the YMCA Welcome Village, which will offer 150 affordable housing units. The highly-anticipated Community Centre will include a City-owned community facility operated by the Boyle Street Community League on the main floor of the building, as well as a daycare and family resource centre owned and operated by the YMCA.

Boyle Renaissance is the City of Edmonton’s plan to invest in and renew the area between 95 Street and 96 Street, from 103 A Avenue north to the LRT tracks. Phase I construction represents a $42.2 million investment by the Government of Alberta, City of Edmonton, Edmonton YMCA, and Capital Region Housing Corporation.

This investment in Edmonton’s downtown east side incorporates the ideas of owners, operators, community service organizations and community residents. The City’s Municipal Development Plan, the Quarters Plan and Downtown Plan support Council’s vision for managing growth while creating vibrant and sustainable communities.

The York Hotel is located at 104th Avenue and 96th Street, within the City’s Boyle Renaissance redevelopment area. The York began as the St. Petersburg Hotel in 1913 at this key location near the CN Rail tracks and the adjacent industrial area. The hotel was expanded over the years, serving railway travelers and working men in the area with its hotel and restaurant. The City of Edmonton acquired ownership of the York Hotel after it was permanently closed down in March 2010 due to safety reasons.

Take the Plunge at Terwillegar Community Recreation Centre

Fri, 03 February 2012 00:00:00 MST

Terwillegar Community Recreation Centre aquatic area will re-open on February 6, 2012 following the completion of required warranty maintenance work.

As part of the construction process, a warranty shutdown was required to ensure that all mechanical, filtration and chemical systems in the aquatics area were working as designed. Now that the maintenance work is done, we welcome Edmontonians back to swim and splash in the pools at Terwillegar Community Recreation Centre.

Operating hours, facility schedule and program information is available online at www.edmonton.ca/TCRC.

Edmonton’s Job Market Slows

Fri, 03 February 2012 00:00:00 MST

After outstanding job gains through 2011 the Edmonton Census Metropolitan Area (CMA) saw employment slip in January 2012. Edmonton lost 3,500 jobs as the unemployment rate rose to 5% from a December value of 4.9%.

“While January’s employment numbers for Edmonton were disappointing, the city saw gains in full-time jobs, rather than part-time, and we are seeing employment growth in higher-paying industries such as construction, oil and gas,” says John Rose, Chief Economist, City of Edmonton. “This suggests that the quality of jobs in Edmonton continues to improve.”

Edmonton’s job losses were concentrated in the public sector where government administration and education lost full and part-time jobs.

Rose notes that Alberta bucked both the local and national trends, with 1,900 new jobs in January. Alberta’s unemployment rate remained unchanged at 4.9%.

At the national level, total employment was essentially unchanged for the month of January. However, an increase in the number of individuals seeking work resulted in Canada’s unemployment rate increasing to 7.6%.

“In Edmonton, continuing gains in high-paying, full-time employment will boost local incomes and encourage higher consumer expenditures,” comments Rose.

The average weekly wage in the Edmonton CMA is up 4.1% in January 2012 over January 2011. Rose says a strong consumer sector will help insulate Edmonton’s economy from negative shocks that may occur over the course of 2012 due to the continuing European debt crisis and a slow U.S. recovery.

Bells will Ring from City Hall for Queen’s Diamond Jubilee

Fri, 03 February 2012 00:00:00 MST

Bells will ring from City Hall to mark the 60th anniversary of Queen Elizabeth’s accession to the throne.

Date: Monday February 6, 2012
Time: 6pm
Location: City Hall Plaza

Edmonton Symphony Orchestra operations manager Jerrold Eilander will ring out God Save the Queen and O Canada on the City Hall carillon. People wishing to join in the celebration are invited to come and sing along.

Edmonton joins municipalities across Alberta in ringing bells at 6pm to mark the occasion.

The Queen is only the second Canadian monarch to mark 60 years on the throne. Queen Victoria reigned for 63 years, from 1837 to 1901.

Diamond jubilee celebrations for Queen Elizabeth will be held across Canada throughout 2012.

Another One Rides the Bus

Fri, 03 February 2012 00:00:00 MST

More Edmontonians than ever are riding buses and LRT, according to the latest Edmonton Transit System (ETS) ridership survey.

“Ridership on buses and LRT continues to grow as the City works to enhance its public transit system,” said Transportation Services General Manager Bob Boutilier. “Our strategy is paying off as more Edmontonians are choosing public transit as their preferred method of moving throughout the city.”

Overall ETS ridership increased 5.2 percent from 76.3 million trips in 2010 to 80.3 million trips in 2011. Weekday LRT ridership increased from 92,000 to 95,300 daily passenger boardings in 2011. Weekday bus ridership increased from 297,000 to 302,000 daily passengers boardings in 2011.

“A five percent bump in ridership is a major increase,” added Boutilier. “Outstanding planning and service delivery, a full year of South LRT operation and programs such as UPass and ETS@Work are contributing to overall success.”

Please see the City’s online photo gallery for pictures. Graphs plotting estimated daily ETS ridership from 2002-2011 are available on Transforming Edmonton. Visit www.takeets.com for more information about marketing initiatives that contribute to ETS success.

City and Airport Authority Reach Agreement on Taxis

Thu, 02 February 2012 00:00:00 MST

Edmonton taxis will no longer have to drive back from the International Airport empty, thanks to a memorandum of understanding signed between the Edmonton Regional Airports Authority and the City of Edmonton.

“This agreement helps improve taxi service availability, reduces deadheading and reduces impact to our environment,” says Edmonton Mayor Stephen Mandel. “We have an agreement that balances and meets the needs of the City of Edmonton, Edmonton International Airport, our taxi industry, and the citizens and visitors of our city.”

The agreement was negotiated late last year to reduce the amount of deadheading between the city and airport. Currently, unless they have a pre-arranged fare, only taxis from Airport Taxi Service can pick up at the airport and only Edmonton-based taxis can pick up in the city. This means Edmonton taxis that take passengers to the terminal must return empty, as must Airport Taxi Service taxis that take passengers to Edmonton.

Under the new agreement, the airport will only contract taxi companies and drivers that are licensed to operate in Edmonton. To make sure there are enough taxis to provide reliable service to the airport, City Council released 100 new taxi licences yesterday and the City will allow drivers that are currently providing service at the airport to apply for these licences.

“Providing excellent, efficient taxi service is key to an outstanding traveler experience,” says Reg Milley, President and CEO of Edmonton Airports. “Our customers and community partners told us that they prefer a seamless, regional approach to taxi service, with less deadheading.”

The new City licences will be distributed through a random selection process. Edmonton International Airport will be asking for bids, through an RFP process, to decide which Edmonton taxi brokers will be contracted to provide on-demand service at the terminal.

Council Roundup - February 1, 2012

Thu, 02 February 2012 00:00:00 MST

More taxis

Council amended the Vehicle for Hire Bylaw to release 100 new taxi licences in the near future. This should improve taxi service by putting more taxis on the road.

Alcohol at after hours events

Council amended the Business Licence Bylaw to remove regulations that prevent dance events where alcohol is sold from turning into after hours events after alcohol service ends. The onus is on the promoters of these events to do more to make sure their patrons are safe.

Remedial massage therapists

Council added the Remedial Massage Therapists Association to the list of organizations that can certify health enhancement practitioners. This association can now vouch that its members are following appropriate rules, so that they don’t need to be included under the City’s bylaws regulating exotic massages.

Revitalization Strategy

Council approved the Central McDougall/Queen Mary Park Revitalization Strategy. This will bring these Edmonton communities a step closer to achieving their goals of creating beautiful neighbourhoods, safer and better connected communities and a dynamic economic environment. During the implementation phase, $11.3 million will flow through the Great Neighbourhoods initiative to build new community amenities.

Better Collaboration and New Urban Agenda Needed to Sustain Mature Neighbourhoods

Thu, 02 February 2012 00:00:00 MST

Community Sustainability Task Force releases report and recommendations

A new urban agenda and a formal partnership between Edmonton school boards and the municipal, provincial and federal governments are needed to ensure the vitality and sustainability of Edmonton’s mature neighbourhoods. That’s one of nine recommendations of the Community Sustainability Task Force as outlined in its report, ELEVATE.

ELEVATE is the result of a year of consultation and deliberation by the Task Force, which was appointed by Mayor Stephen Mandel in February 2011 to create solutions to sustain and support Edmonton’s mature neighbourhoods as part of a healthy and vibrant city core.

“The Task Force has put a tremendous amount of thought and work into its report and recommendations,” said Mayor Mandel. “Formalizing our relationships with stakeholders and putting operational processes in place will allow us to break down silos, share valuable information, reduce duplication and find innovative ways to ensure our mature neighbourhoods are vibrant and viable communities.”

The Task Force, Chaired by former City Councillor Michael Phair and Vice-Chair Teresa Spinelli, owner of Edmonton’s Italian Centre Shop, with representatives from school boards, communities and the municipal and provincial governments, released its report with recommendations and action plans on February 2, 2012.

“We learned that when confronted with historical and demographic change, it’s not easy to keep communities and schools lively, desirable and vibrant,” said Phair. “However, Edmontonians want to be engaged in helping to lift up or elevate their communities. ELEVATE is the result of an extensive and complex process of listening, consulting, discussing and debating. It is the result of our examination of community sustainability and offers recommendations as a ‘blueprint’ for the next steps Edmonton can take to achieve ongoing community vitality.”

Nine recommendations have been developed, each with a number of associated action plans. In addition to calling for a new urban agenda, the Task Force also recommends:

A channel or body that would bring the City, the school boards and the Province together to ensure community sustainability
The development of an asset-based plan for every mature neighbourhood (to determine strengths and needs)
A collaborative regulatory environment
The creation of and support for business diversity within communities
A diversity of housing, and better education within communities around diversity and densification
The delivery of life-long learning opportunities in all community-driven plans
Innovative and sustainable funding from the Province of Alberta to guarantee that existing and new schools are modern, multi-functional and able to accommodate a diversity of programs

Leaders from the key partners - the City, school boards and Alberta Education - will now begin developing an implementation plan for the recommendations.