This week's batch of calls for public engagement includes a survey about Rossdale neighbourhood renewal, several budget surveys around the region, and drop-in sessions in Parkland County.
The draft design for neighbourhood renewal in Rossdale includes reconstructed or new sidewalks, narrower streets, a new protected bike lane, and the potential closure of one intersection that administration calls confusing.
An online survey will be open until May 3, and there will be a drop-in event at ArtsHub Ortona on April 21. Administration said the feedback will be used to refine the design. The neighbourhood renewal process is intended to bring the infrastructure of a neighbourhood up to current city standards, with the capacity to serve for the next 30 to 50 years.
Rossdale is one of the most historic places in Alberta — it was a gathering place for trade, celebration, and ceremony for Indigenous people for thousands of years pre-colonization, and it was the site of some of the area's first fur trading posts for the Hudson's Bay Company and North West Company. Today, the area has portions of dense residential development along with several empty lots, bisected by large arterial roads. The neighbourhood has a greater-than-average share of residents who rely on walking to get around.
The scope of the project includes local roads in the Rossdale neighbourhood, not arterial and collector roads such as 97 Avenue and Rossdale Road. The project aims to connect pedestrian and cycling routes, as there are some streets that don't have sidewalks. There will also be a new protected bike route for just over a block along 97 Avenue that connects to shared-use paths.
Administration has proposed closing vehicle access to Rossdale Road from 102 Street and 98 Avenue. "The current intersection configuration results in overlapping driving and crossing movements that are unclear and unpredictable for people driving, walking, and biking," the design booklet said. It's not the first time that access to Rossdale Road has been restricted — the city reduced part of the road to one-way only and converted the former vehicle lanes to green space in 2023. The design also includes narrowing some roads and adding traffic-calming measures to discourage shortcutting.
The changes are meant to prepare Rossdale for increased development, the draft said. The first phase of another project in Rossdale got the green light on April 15 — council approved $15 million to start the River Crossing Community Redevelopment plan, which will see part of the parking area north of Re/Max Field serviced, subdivided, and sold so that up to 300 units of medium- to high-density housing can be built there. The River Crossing Community Redevelopment plan also calls for the rehabilitation of the road directly north of the field, and the creation of a new road just east of the parking area, with construction set to begin in 2027.
Administration said it is continuing to engage with partners on a plan for a potential heritage interpretive park, and it is still seeking possible partnerships for the adaptive reuse of the Rossdale Power Plant.
Administration proposes closing one access point to the neighbourhood from Rossdale Road. (City of Edmonton)
Here are some other opportunities to provide input in the Edmonton metro region:
- Until April 18: Strathcona County is inviting residents to take its 2027 budget survey.
- Until April 19: The City of Edmonton is seeking feedback on the development of the West 240 neighbourhood, which is bounded by 62 Avenue to the north and 122 Street to the east.
- Until April 19: The City of Edmonton has launched a survey to gather input as it develops its new Heritage Places Strategy.
- April 20: Residents of Ward Métis are invited to an in-person engagement on Edmonton's 2027-2030 budget at Highlands School.
- Until April 20: The City of Edmonton has launched a survey to better understand residents' preferences while shopping at local businesses.
- April 21: The City of St. Albert is hosting public hearings on two proposed bylaws relating to recreational land use.
- April 21: Residents of Ward pihêsiwin are invited to an in-person engagement on Edmonton's 2027-2030 budget at Whitemud Creek Community Centre.
- April 22: Residents of Ward Anirniq are invited to an in-person engagement on Edmonton's 2027-2030 budget at St. Lucy Catholic Elementary School.
- April 23 Residents of Ward Nakota Isga are invited to an in-person engagement on Edmonton's 2027-2030 budget at St. Thomas More Catholic Junior High School.
- Until April 24: Parkland County is holding a series of information sessions on the Acheson Industrial Area Structure Plan on various dates until April 23; a survey to gather feedback will be open until April 24.
- Until April 26: The City of Edmonton is looking for input on naturalization planting in the southwest neighbourhood of Windermere.
- Until April 26: The City of Edmonton is seeking feedback on rezoning in Garneau, and has consolidated a previous call for engagement on the Garneau special character residential area on the same page.
- April 27: Parkland County is holding a public hearing to adopt the Commercial Amendment Bylaw to redistrict a piece of land in the Village of Seba Beach.
- April 27: Residents of Ward tastawiyiniwak are invited to an in-person engagement on Edmonton's 2027-2030 budget at Northgate Lions Seniors Recreation Centre.
- Until April 27: The Edmonton Chamber of Commerce is inviting members of the business community to take its budget survey.
- April 28: Residents of Ward O-day'min are invited to an in-person engagement on Edmonton's 2027-2030 budget at Westglen Elementary School.
- April 29: Residents of Ward Karhiio are invited to an in-person engagement on Edmonton's 2027-2030 budget at Blessed John Paul I Elementary.
- April 30: Residents of Ward sipiwiyiniwak are invited to an in-person engagement on Edmonton's 2027-2030 budget at S. Bruce Smith School.
- April 30: Parkland County is launching County Chats, starting with a gathering at the Tomahawk Agra Centre. It's the first in a series of casual drop-in events where residents can provide feedback, ask questions, and engage with council.
- Until May 1: The City of Edmonton is asking residents to give their input on the upcoming 2027-2030 budget through a survey and budget balancing tool.
- Until May 3: The City of Edmonton is looking for input on naturalization planting in the southwest neighbourhoods of Keswick and Glenridding.
- Until May 4: The Garneau Community League is gathering input on changes it has proposed to expand Garneau's special character residential area.
- Until May 8: The City of St. Albert has launched a survey to better understand the priorities and future goals within its local business community.
- Until May 15: Parkland County is inviting public feedback on its new strategic plan. Residents can participate in a survey or attend in-person engagement sessions across the county.
- Until May 15: The City of Fort Saskatchewan has launched a survey for residents in condos and apartments as it expands its green cart program.
"Your turn" is Taproot's weekly collection of public engagement opportunities in the Edmonton region. Watch this space every week for opportunities to make your views known. If you know of a request for public input, send it to hello@taprootedmonton.ca.