Parks, plazas and shared-used streets: How Edmonton wants to redesign Whyte Avenue
Whyte Avenue, both the roadway and the area, could look a whole lot different in the coming years if the City of Edmonton moves ahead with new designs released Monday.
The concepts include removing lanes of traffic, turning parking lots into parks and adding dedicated transit lanes down the centre of the avenue.
"We've heard from people that they wanted open space, more parks, they wanted greater connectivity across the neighbourhood," planner and project manager Marco Melfi told CTV News Edmonton Tuesday.
"We also heard that people would like to see some of that public land considered for affordable housing, or some residential buildings. So our options show that variety."
The city is planning to rebuild the avenue from 109 Street to 99 Street. All of the design possibilities include making the sidewalks on the main strip wider.
Design renderings for a rebuild of Whyte Avenue in Edmonton as part of the Old Strathcona Public Realm Strategy (OSPRS). (Source: City of Edmonton)
Design renderings for a rebuild of Whyte Avenue in Edmonton as part of the Old Strathcona Public Realm Strategy (OSPRS). (Source: City of Edmonton)
The design and consultation is being done as part of the Old Strathcona Public Realm Strategy (OSPRS).
It also includes three design options for new parks, plazas and shared-use streets along Gateway Boulevard and Calgary Trail north of Whyte.
Under all three options, gravel and paved parking lots near the Old Strathcona Farmer's Market would be removed for a mix of park and plaza space.
Design renderings for a rebuild of the Whyte Avenue area in Edmonton as part of the Old Strathcona Public Realm Strategy (OSPRS). (Source: City of Edmonton)
Only one of the options for rebuilding sections of Whyte Avenue includes parking and drop-off spots along the main strip. Instead trees, benches and lighting are likely to be added.
Three of the section scenarios see one lane of traffic only in each direction. Some of the road may have some parking spots or a left-turn lane in what the design refers to as "flex space."
Design renderings for a rebuild of Whyte Avenue in Edmonton as part of the Old Strathcona Public Realm Strategy (OSPRS). (Source: City of Edmonton)
Design renderings for a rebuild of Whyte Avenue in Edmonton as part of the Old Strathcona Public Realm Strategy (OSPRS). (Source: City of Edmonton)"Parking will be a concern but there is also a lot of parking in the area," Melfi said, adding that 50 per cent of the people surveyed so far make their way to Whyte without using a car.
Melfi said the designs will make it easier and more pleasant for walkers and transit users.
"We know that we need to add more space to our sidewalks. The sidewalk width is quite narrow. I'm sure if you've been on Whyte Ave you can feel that it's a bit narrow," he said.
The cost and construction timelines still have not been determined. The city started public engagement on the redesign last summer and refining the designs will continue into this summer.
The city has an online survey until March 5 and is hosting a drop-in event in the area on March 2.
With files from CTV News Edmonton's Matt Woodman
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
![](https://www.ctvnews.ca/polopoly_fs/1.6963927.1721039387!/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/landscape_800/image.jpg)
Trump rally shooting casts shadow over Canadian political scene
The shadow of violence in the United States will be hanging over Canada's political scene this week in the wake of an attempted assassination on former president Donald Trump.
Within minutes after Trump shooting, misinformation started flying. 'Everyone is just speculating'
Within minutes of the gunfire, the attempted assassination of former U.S. president Donald Trump spawned a vast sea of claims — some outlandish, others contradictory — reflecting the frightening uncertainties of the moment as well as America's fevered, polarized political climate.
A timeline of the assassination attempt on former U.S. president Trump
Former U.S. president Donald Trump was the target of an assassination attempt at a Pennsylvania rally Saturday that set off panic. Here's what's known so far about the timeline of the shooting.
Kenya police say suspected serial killer has confessed to murdering 42 women
Police in Kenya said Monday they have arrested the main suspect after nine dismembered bodies of women were found in a quarry in the capital, Nairobi.
NEW Things flight attendants say they would never do
For some airline passengers, flying can be a daunting and stressful journey. For others, it's a welcome experience to see the world from hundreds of feet high. CTVNews.ca spoke with a Canadian flight attendant to find out what he wouldn't advise passengers to do before and during flights.
Canada's 13 premiers set to begin days of meetings in Halifax
Canada's premiers will be in Halifax Monday to begin three days of scheduled meetings in Nova Scotia's capital.
Some Canadians will receive their Carbon Rebate on Monday. Here's how much they could get
Some Canadians will receive another instalment of the 2024 Canada Carbon Rebate in their bank accounts or in the mail this Monday. But who exactly is eligible? And how much could you receive?
LCBO walks back plan to open 32 stores on Friday as strike continues
The LCBO has reversed its plan to open select stores on Friday as retail workers continue to strike across the province, according to a statement from the Crown corporation on Sunday.
World's rarest whale may have washed up on New Zealand beach, possibly shedding clues on species
The spade-toothed whales are the world's rarest, with no live sightings ever recorded. No one knows how many there are, what they eat, or even where they live in the vast expanse of the southern Pacific Ocean. However, scientists in New Zealand may have finally caught a break.