‘In Crisis’: Edmonton mayoral candidates present their solutions to revitalize a struggling downtown core

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Five Edmonton mayoral candidates presented their optimistic visions for the future of a struggling downtown, which some called “in crisis,” in an in-person forum Thursday night.

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The Downtown Business Association (DBA) hosted the event at Rogers Place to focus on key issues facing the core of the city, ravaged by the COVID-19 pandemic with business closures and reduced tourism.

The candidates shared their ideas for economic recovery and resilience at the core to alleviate the struggles they currently face. Although the center makes up only one percent of the city’s geographic area, it contributes 10 percent of the property’s tax base.

Cheryll Watson, who previously served as vice president of Innovate Edmonton, said addressing security concerns at the center is a top priority to ensure residents and businesses feel welcome.

“It doesn’t feel safe downtown for a lot of people and it’s not easy to convince people to invest in an unsafe city,” he said. “It is not to paint an image of doom and pessimism, but our city and our center are in crisis.”

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Former city councilor and federal cabinet minister Amarjeet Sohi said he would take steps to increase economic development and attract investment in the city center through a concentrated office of business advocates within the city, as well as an innovation fund.

“I am the only candidate here who has engaged with all provinces and all territories and with the federal government to understand why economic growth and rich middle-class jobs are critical to creating stronger, more vibrant and inclusive communities.” , said.

The issue of constant construction was also a priority for the candidates who shared their ideas on how to tackle the problem.

Michael Oshry, District 5 Councilman from 2013 to 2017, said the city should commit resources to ensure construction projects are completed faster and space projects so they don’t impact the same area at the same time.

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“Our lack of project management, our lack of a really basic high-level bidding process, and our lack of coordination of the transportation arteries, is just brutal,” he said. “It seems we are putting everything but basic municipal services at the forefront.”

Former District 2 city councilor Kim Krushell said basic services, like the neighborhood renovation program she helped create while on council, are essential in the downtown area to attract young families.

“It is difficult to get around the center with all the construction. I’m a huge construction fan, but this is a lot of construction. So one of the things that I’m asking for is a real focus on working with the utilities and our construction companies to make sure that when we’re building, we don’t block all the roads in our city, ”he said.

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Rick Comrie said he wants the public to have more say in where the city spends money, calling the LRT network “the biggest mistake we have.”

“Edmonton should remain a popular city, politicians shouldn’t tell you where to spend money,” he said.

Mike Nickel was also invited to participate in the forum, but did not respond to the invitation. Instead, he held his own outdoor event at the same time that he received the endorsement of fellow candidate Abdul Malik Chukwudi.

Although there was much talk of pessimism, DBA CEO Puneeta McBryan said it is a reality faced by many of those at the center every day and that she was optimistic about the next advice after hearing some of the solutions. presented.

“I think all the candidates were very direct and very honest and made it very clear that they fully recognize the challenges that lie ahead and have solutions and are here to talk about it,” he said. “Everyone there today made me feel really good about what the council will look like after the election when it comes to solving some of these specific inner-city problems.”

Edmontons will go to the polls on October 18. A recording of the forum can be found. here.

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