The Pulse: Dec. 1, 2023

Work that will begin to undo Edmonton's incomplete 1970s downtown freeway project is already seeing asphalt removed in one of the city's oldest neighbourhoods.

As part of the routine rehabilitation of Rossdale Road, the city has opted to redirect southeast-bound traffic to other routes, closing the vehicle lanes permanently. Drivers that would have used the now-closed sections of Rossdale Road to reach 97 Avenue will now use 99 Avenue, westbound, and turn southbound on Bellamy Hill Road.

The city said the redesign helps simplify an area it calls dangerous and confusing.

"The changes we proposed on the Rossdale Road rehabilitation are necessary to eliminate some of the confusion where the triangle portion of 103 Street, Bellamy Hill, Rossdale Road, and 97 Avenue connect," said Satya Gadidasu, the City of Edmonton project manager in charge of the redesign.

The former vehicle lanes have been stripped of asphalt and returned to dirt, and trees will eventually be planted. An existing sidewalk will be widened to become a multi-use path for cyclists and pedestrians.

The neighbourhood's city councillor is enthusiastic about the changes.

"The road network redesign really helps us rededicate some existing lands for green space, so I think that's a really positive outcome," said Ward O-day'min Coun. Anne Stevenson.

• The city concluded its 2023 tree-planting season, with more than 180,000 trees planted through different programs, including Root for Trees and various naturalization initiatives. The city said the season marked "significant strides" toward its goal of planting two million trees by 2030, and released an educational video to explain the benefits of naturalization.
• The city is unveiling plans to guide urban development as Edmonton's population grows. With new zoning rules coming into effect in January, the proposed district plans identify areas for increased density and prioritize new development, dividing the city into 15 districts. City staff said the goal is to streamline their planning approach and create a cohesive vision for future development. The report detailing the plans will be discussed at the urban planning committee on Dec. 5. Public engagement is continuing until Dec. 3, and the plans won't be finalized until after a public hearing is held next year.
• The Global Startup Ecosystem Report Climatetech Edition, a new report from Startup Genome and the Global Entrepreneurship Network, highlights Edmonton and Calgary as the top two clean tech "ecosystems to watch" in North America. According to the report, Edmonton's clean tech companies brought in $76.3 million in venture capital investment in 23 deals last year, and the city has a growing reputation as a low-cost destination for startups looking for young, educated talent. A group of companies involved in the report will be presenting it at COP28, which runs Nov. 30 to Dec. 12 in Dubai.
• Civic Service Union 52, one of five unions representing civic employees in Edmonton, announced that mediation dates with the city have been set for Dec. 5, Dec. 6, and Dec. 13 if needed. The union says its goal has always been to negotiate a settlement, but it has begun making preparations for a potential strike or lockout. The union, which represents over 6,000 workers at the City of Edmonton, the Edmonton Public Library, EPCOR, the TELUS World of Science, and Capital Power, says 83% of members have had frozen wages for five years. Two informal surveys in October found the majority of city and EPL staff were willing to strike in December or after the holidays.
• The Edmonton Community Legal Centre, a non-profit that offers free legal advice to low-income residents, has seen call volume double since 2020 and is expected to record more than 38,000 intake calls by the end of the year. Clients are also dealing with increasingly complex issues, likely due to the pandemic, said Jennifer Smyth, a director with the centre.
• The FIS Snowboard Big Air World Cup, which is returning to Commonwealth Stadium for its second year on Dec. 9, will showcase the work of local artist Dusty LeGrande, who launched the Indigenous streetwear brand Mobilize Waskawewin in 2018. LeGrande is behind the merchandise for the event, and his art will be featured on the jump and on digital boards throughout the stadium. He also created the logo on the trophies, which represents the North Saskatchewan River and Cree teachings.
• Finance Minister Nate Horner said Alberta is on track to record a $5.5-billion surplus by the end of the 2023-2024 budget year in March, which is $3.2 billion more than what the province expected when it introduced the budget last February. The increase is mostly the result of oil revenues and higher-than-expected personal and corporate income taxes.

Events this weekend include attending a new downtown winter festival, creating a bird-friendly window decal, watching drag performers compete to sleigh, meeting a bakebook author, and the chance to see Krampus at a witchy market.

• Dec. 1-2: Downtown Winterval, presented by the Edmonton Downtown Business Association, on 104 Street just north of Jasper Avenue
• Dec. 2, 11am: Visit Nature Alberta at Elements Outfitters
• Dec. 2, 12pm: Book signing with Karlynn Johnston, author of A Very Prairie Christmas Bakebook at Audreys Books
• Dec. 2, 7pm: The 2023 Annual Holiday Pageant, presented by the Imperial Sovereign Court of the Wild Rose, at the Parkdale Community Hall
• Dec. 2-3: The Original Edmonton Witches Market at the Bellevue Community League hall

Find even more to do in the Arts Roundup and the Food Roundup. And check out this weekend's holiday markets.

Photo: The Edmonton Downtown Business Association is hosting its first-ever Winterval, bringing free outdoor concerts, festive and cultural activities, sleigh rides, a market, and more to downtown. (Edmonton Downtown Business Association)