The push to create Edmonton's first car-free avenue, making it a 'place for people'
A local advocacy group wants the city to turn a chunk of 102 Avenue downtown into a pedestrian-only area, and at least one city councillor is supportive of the idea.
Paths For People doesn't want vehicles back in the 500-metre section of the urban avenue, which runs from 99 Street at Churchill Square to 103 Street.
The roadway is currently closed for LRT construction, but the current plan is to reopen one lane to traffic, with vehicles permitted to go east only.
Instead, the non-profit group is sharing renderings showing people, tables and bicycles occupying the space rather than cars.
"It makes a lot better use of the space that we have," chair Stephen Raitz said.
"It can take something that's going to be of limited use to people driving, and turn it into something really valuable to people walking and rolling….We're not asking to take a lane away on the Anthony Henday, this is a people place first."
Edmonton doesn't have a street that's entirely for pedestrians.
Nearby, 104 Street has been closed for farmers' markets on weekends and there's been proposals over the years to close Whyte Avenue to cars temporarily.
Raitz believes it's time Edmonton join other cities, like Calgary, in making car-free streets.
"We've seen it work across the world…It would be really exciting to finally get our own Stephen Avenue."
A rendering of what 102 Avenue in downtown Edmonton could look like as a car-free zone. (Source: Paths For People)
'I'M REALLY EXCITED'
Downtown councillor Anne Stevenson wants city administration to study the proposal, and she'll bring forward a motion on Dec. 6 to do that.
"It's an idea I'm really excited about. The study is just doing the due diligence to make sure we're addressing any genuine technical challenges," she said.
"I see patios, I see festivals, I'm really excited about some of the work that Edmonton City Centre may be doing to open up their space, to have more stores facing right onto 102 Avenue."
Stevenson said the city will have to work with parkade owners in the area to ensure access to their structures, but she pointed out the road has already been closed for LRT construction.
She added the city will need to consult with business owners in the area who may be concerned about parking and a reduction in customers that drive.
Paths For People has shared studies that show there's more people walking on the sidewalk in the area than there are drivers turning onto 102 Avenue.
The 2017 traffic count that the group reposted counted 6,687 pedestrians and 1,884 drivers who were turning over a 24-hour period.
With files from CTV News Edmonton's Touria Izri
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'They needed people inside Air Canada:' Police announce arrests in Pearson gold heist
Police say one former and one current employee of Air Canada are among the nine suspects that are facing charges in connection with the gold heist at Pearson International Airport last year.
Disappointment widespread over budget's proposed $200-month disability benefit funding
Advocacy groups across Canada are expressing widespread disappointment about the amount of funding earmarked in the 2024 federal budget for the long-awaited Canada Disability Benefit.
BREAKING Toronto Raptors player Jontay Porter banned from NBA
Toronto Raptors player Jontay Porter has been handed a lifetime ban from The National Basketball Association (NBA) following an investigation which found he disclosed confidential information to sports bettors, the league says.
Earthquake jolts southern Japan
An earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 6.4 hit southern Japan late on Wednesday, said the Japan Meteorological Agency, without issuing a tsunami warning.
ArriveCan contractor to be admonished by MPs in extraordinarily rare parliamentary display
Enacting an extraordinarily rarely used parliamentary power, MPs have summoned an ArriveCan contractor to appear before the House of Commons on Wednesday afternoon to be admonished publicly for failing to answer their questions.
opinion Don Martin: Gusher of Liberal spending won't put out the fire in this dumpster
A Hail Mary rehash of the greatest hits from the Trudeau government’s three-week travelling pony-show, the 2024 federal budget takes aim at reversing the party’s popularity plunge in the under-40 set, writes political columnist Don Martin. But will it work before the next election?
Gas prices across Ontario expected to climb to levels not seen since 2022, analyst says
Ontario is going to see a big jump at the pumps later this week as gas prices in the province hit levels not seen in nearly two years, according to one industry analyst.
Ancient skeletons unearthed in France reveal Mafia-style killings
More than 5,500 years ago, two women were tied up and probably buried alive in a ritual sacrifice, using a form of torture associated today with the Italian Mafia, according to an analysis of skeletons discovered at an archeological site in southwest France.
Paul McCartney and John Lennon’s sons have released a single together
A new Lennon and McCartney collaboration is the last thing anybody expected.