The Pulse
June 19, 2026

This week's batch of calls for public engagement includes a public hearing for new special zones in Rossdale, feedback opportunities on a rezoning application in Westmount, and community parties about municipal development in Stony Plain.

The City of Edmonton's real estate and land development branch has proposed rezoning two parcels of land in Rossdale to new special zones under the area redevelopment plan. The area is generally bounded by Rossdale Road, 97 Avenue, 105 Street, and 102 Street and is set to be developed as part of the River Crossing Community Redevelopment Project. The parcels include the gravel lots that have typically been used for parking during Edmonton Riverhawks games, but also extend north to surround the ArtsHub Ortona building. City council will debate the rezoning at a public hearing on June 23.

The proposed zones would allow for a built form that is similar to what is currently allowed, with the exception of special setback requirements. The rezoning would allow for a building of up to 15 storeys on the northwest portion of the site, an increase from the current limit of 12 storeys, and a larger footprint would be permitted. The current zoning allows up to seven storeys on the east and south portions of the site, which would not change.

These changes require special zones because the planning objectives of the area cannot be achieved through standard zoning, administration said. The proposal also outlines a road network among the future developments. If approved, the road in front of Re/Max Field would be deemed a retail street with a minimum of 30% non-residential uses. The application also proposes pedestrian alleys that have individual unit entrances.

The first phase of the redevelopment will include the construction of a new road at 102 Street between 96 Avenue and 97 Avenue, signalization of the intersection at 102 Street and 97 Avenue, reconstruction of the road in front of Re/Max Field, and new infrastructure.

The city recently collected feedback on neighbourhood renewal in Rossdale, which will see roads and sidewalks upgraded to modern standards. The final design is set to be presented to the community in winter.

The Edmonton River Valley Conservation Coalition is hosting a walk and talk on June 20 to discuss the area's Indigenous and settler history as the area faces redevelopment. Organizers invite residents to "learn why this area is so important historically, culturally, and ecologically, and why it should be designated a historic place and protected rather than rezoned for condos at a public hearing."

• Mayor Andrew Knack welcomed Canada's new bail and sentencing reforms, which officially became law this week. The legislation makes detention the default for serious crimes and allows consecutive sentences for repeat offenders. Knack said Bill C-14 "provides important tools to improve public safety," and Cheryll Watson of the Downtown Revitalization Coalition also welcomed the changes, though she said it's up to the courts to implement them. University of Alberta criminology professor Temitope Oriola said taxpayers will bear the cost of increased levels of incarceration, asking, "Are we ready to allocate more resources to the management of the inmate population?"
• FlixBus has launched a seasonal route from Edmonton to Jasper, departing from the Southgate Transit Centre and the depot at Jasper Avenue and 116 Street once a day, Thursday through Monday. Return trips arrive in Edmonton between 6pm and 7pm. One-way tickets cost $60.
• Edmonton sisters Karyn Decore and Nicole Arquero have acquired the historic Athabasca Hotel, a 98-year-old landmark in Jasper that the Bassani family had operated since 1972. of Decore Hotels, which also owns Jasper's Tonquin Inn and Maligne Lodge, plans an immediate $4.5 million upgrade over eight months, including adding an elevator and bathrooms to 23 rooms. The sisters also plan to build a 100-unit residence to house staff.
• All Weather at Home has unveiled more than 2,000 rooftop solar panels at its west-end Edmonton manufacturing facility, the largest such private installation in the city. The system produces 1.3 gigawatt hours annually, covering 35% of the facility's energy needs, with surplus flowing into Alberta's electricity grid on weekends.
• Jorgia Lindquist, the co-founder of DON'YA Ukraine's Kitchen, celebrated winning the Junior Chamber International Creative Young Entrepreneur Award in the Americas. She is the first Canadian to win the title. "It is an Edmonton success story through and through," Mayor Andrew Knack told CTV. The business has launched a new product called Protein Perogies.
• Premier Danielle Smith dismissed calls from the Assembly of Treaty Chiefs for an RCMP investigation into whether Alberta's fall referendum on separation amounts to criminal treason. The chiefs, representing First Nations across Treaties 6, 7, and 8, argued that the referendum violates their treaties and threatens Canada's sovereignty. "I think it's disgraceful that any government that wants to be taken seriously would level the charges that serious against another government," Smith said, adding that the treaty chiefs should "check themselves." Joey Pete, grand chief of the Confederacy of Treaty Six First Nations, replied that Smith and her government need to "check themselves, and remember who they work for." Meanwhile, Alberta Court of Appeal Justice Alice Woolley has reserved her decision on whether to stay a lower court's ruling that stopped the verification of the signatures on Stay Free Alberta's petition to hold a referendum on separation. And the Edmonton Police Service clarified that its buy-and-sell zones are not to be used for picking up pro-separatist lawn signs.
• The NHL has completed its review of Mike Babcock's time as coach of the Columbus Blue Jackets, clearing the way for the Edmonton Oilers to hire him if they wish to. The NHL Players' Association called Babcock's requests for personal photos of his players before the Columbus season started in 2023 "very concerning," but the league ruled it was not enough to keep him from coaching again.

On this day in 1912, an offer was under discussion to donate land around Whitemud Creek to the city.

Long before Edmonton existed, Whitemud Creek has been an important part of life for the people here. The creek, like the rest of the river valley, proved to be a vital transportation route for Indigenous people, including the Nehiyawak, Niitsitapi, Nakota Sioux, and Métis. Rich in fish and plant life, the tributary was also an important spot for resource-gathering.

The creek got the "Whitemud" name in 1858, due to the colour of the mix of silt and clay along its banks. The mud was used to whitewash buildings at Fort Edmonton.

By 1912, much of the land around the creek was owned by the L.L. Fuller real estate company, which donated 160 acres to the city. As a newspaper report mentioned at the time, the offer was made so Edmonton could turn the area into a park, an early example of river valley land becoming officially sanctioned public space.

But it wasn't as if Whitemud Creek was left completely undisturbed. Like much of the river valley, the creek hid a valuable resource: rich coal seams. In 1952, the Whitemud Creek Coal Mine (also known as Mine No. 1727) opened. The mine made for an odd neighbour, nestled as it was between the Snow Valley Ski Hill and the Rainbow Valley campground. It extended to both banks of the creek, covering more than 67 acres.

The banks of the creek contained significant amounts of coal, which made the miners' work a bit more comfortable. Since the deposits ran deep, workers could stand up while mining, instead of bending over as in mines with shallower seams.

As the oil-and-gas industry grew in the 1950s and '60s, Edmonton's coal industry started to decline, and mines shut down. But Mine No. 1727 outlasted the rest, continuing to pull coal from Whitemud Creek. It finally closed in 1970, the last operating mine from what was once a bustling coal industry.

Whitemud Creek remains a beloved natural space and popular walk in south Edmonton, visited by both humans and non-humans alike. In 2005, the striking Whitemud Creek Arch was constructed, combining a pedestrian path and wildlife pathway that run under the Anthony Henday.

This clipping was found on Vintage Edmonton, a daily look at Edmonton's history from armchair archivist Rev Recluse of Vintage Edmonton.

Here are some events happening this weekend in the Edmonton area.

• June 19: Edmonton Sustainable Fashion Show 2026 starting at 6pm at Edmonton Public Library (Stanley A. Milner)
• June 19-20: Beaumont Music Festival at Beaumont and District Agricultural Society Fairgrounds
• June 19-21: Thousand Faces Festival at Alberta Avenue Community Centre
• June 20: Montreal Alouettes vs. Edmonton Elks starting at 2pm at Commonwealth Stadium
• June 20: Business Derby and Mixer starting at 4pm at Century Mile Racetrack and Casino
• June 20: Zoobrew Vol. 1 starting at 5pm at Edmonton Valley Zoo
• June 21: A Portrait of Sheila starting at 1pm at Yardbird Suite
• Until June 21: Così fan tutte at Capitol Theatre
• Until June 21: Crazy for You at Fringe Theatre Arts Barns (Westbury Theatre)
• Until June 21: Father's Day at various locations
• Until June 21: National Indigenous Peoples Day at various locations

And here are some upcoming events to keep in mind:

• June 27: The Ultimate Community Garage Sale at The Carrot Community Arts Coffeehouse
• July 3: Bikes & Beverages x Grow Together YEG at Buckingham Pub
• July 5-12: Historic Festival and Doors Open Edmonton at various locations

Visit the Taproot Edmonton Calendar for many more events in the Edmonton region.

Test your crossword prowess and deploy a little of your Edmonton knowledge. Complete the puzzle.

For even more puzzle fun, check out YEGwords, offering free, handcrafted crosswords made with love in Edmonton.