Updates: What happened next in city-building
Looking back on 2025 in planning, development, infrastructure, and other city matters, we of course saw a municipal election, as well as huge population growth, thoughts on a dying downtown mall, and ongoing debates over bike lanes, among other things. Here's what happened next and what to expect on some of the other city-building stories Taproot brought you:
Warehouse Park, other incentives spur up to 1,800 housing units downtown (Sept. 29, 2025)
The original story: Developers told Taproot that the new downtown park, the Downtown Student Housing Incentive, and the infill infrastructure fund were making it more attractive to build housing on surface parking lots downtown. Several underutilized lots were set to be turned into buildings of around six storeys, a shorter and more financially viable design than the skyscrapers that had been proposed for the lots years ago. The five projects with development permits — Westrich Pacific's Lotus Park and Lilac Park, Maclab Development's The Parks, Autograph's The Shift, and BLVD from MHA Properties — were set to add up to 1,800 new units near the park.
Then what? O'day-min Park, as it was officially named, opened to the public in November. The Downtown Student Housing Incentive was oversubscribed, and the city has tentatively allocated all available funding for the program. In December, Josan Properties acquired the Intact Building at 108 Street and Jasper Avenue, just a block away from O'day-min Park. CEO Raka Josan said the new park and future residential developments enrich the neighbourhood. "We are committed to investing in the city and being part of the momentum that is rising in our downtown core, and we couldn't be more excited to be contributing to that momentum."
What's next? The city is reviewing a development permit application from the developer of the Massey Ferguson site at 10616 103 Avenue NW to construct four buildings with a total of 696 units. If the permit is approved, that would bring the total new units near O'day-min Park to nearly 2,300.
City starts phasing in pedestrian takeover of 83 Ave (July 23, 2025)
The original story: The street in front of the Old Strathcona Farmers' Market was closed to vehicles for several summer weekends as the city started to phase in a complete pedestrianization of 83 Avenue, as is called for in the Old Strathcona Public Realm Strategy. The activation was funded in part through a reserve fund of revenue from the parking lot east of the farmers' market.
Then what? The city said the events led to an estimated 10% increase in market attendance on the weekends that the avenue was closed to vehicles. City council voted in the fall operating budget adjustment to axe the reserve fund and revert to putting the revenue from the parking lot — estimated at $438,000 in 2026 — into general coffers.
What's next? Some councillors indicated they might support reinstating the reserve fund in the four-year budget cycle, which is set for debate in the fourth quarter of 2026. In May, council is scheduled to discuss a report about parking benefit districts across the city, where parking revenues would be reinvested into the communities in which they are received. City administration said it will apply what it learned during the summer closures to future activations on 83 Avenue.
As McBryan announces EDBA exit, she sketches out a hopeful future for downtown (June 23, 2025)
The original story: Puneeta McBryan told Taproot she was leaving her role leading the Edmonton Downtown Business Association to spend more time with her family. "The decision was a long time coming," McBryan said. "My kid is growing up really fast, and I want to be home more. This is very much a personal decision, just as much as it is a career decision." McBryan was hired in December 2020 and led the EDBA through challenging times, including the COVID-19 pandemic, the resultant reduction in downtown workers, and an increase in social disorder. She also fought for stable funding for the Downtown Core Patrol.
Then what? The EDBA hired James Robinson as its executive director starting on Oct. 20. Robinson founded Toronto's first business improvement area on the famous Yonge Street, and then worked at the Heart of London Business Alliance in England. Most recently, Robinson worked at the City of Edmonton as its corporate BIA infrastructure specialist. There were changes at a BIA south of the river, too; Cherie Klassen stepped down as the executive director of the Old Strathcona Business Association in October.
What's next? The Core Patrol will resume operating during the day thanks in part to funding from National Bank of Canada, which strengthened its presence in downtown Edmonton after acquiring Canadian Western Bank. The program employs Hiregood staff to respond to and prevent social challenges on downtown streets. In 2026, both day and night shifts will see two staff in two Hiregood vehicles. The EDBA also said it plans to bring back Downtown Dining Week in March.
