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
Why drivers in Ontario, Quebec and Atlantic Canada will see a gas price spike, and other Canadians won't
Drivers in Eastern Canada face a big increase in gas prices because of various factors, especially the higher cost of the summer blend, industry analysts say.
How to avoid the trap of becoming 'house poor'
The journey to home ownership can be exciting, but personal finance columnist Christopher Liew warns about the trappings of becoming 'house poor' -- where an overwhelming portion of your income is devoured by housing costs. Liew offers some practical strategies to maintain better financial health while owning a home.
Toxic forever chemicals in drinking water: Is Canada doing enough?
As the United States sets its first national limits on toxic forever chemicals in drinking water, researchers say Canada is lagging when it comes to regulations.
'A living nightmare': Winnipeg woman sentenced following campaign of harassment against man after online date
A Winnipeg woman was sentenced to house arrest after a single date with a man she met online culminated in her harassing him for years, and spurred false allegations which resulted in the innocent man being arrested three times.
McDonald's customers left with 'zero value' collection of free hot drink stickers after company ends program
It took years for Vinnie Deluca to collect more than 400 cards worth of free McDonald's McCafe coffee, a collection that now has "zero value" after the company discontinued the program.
Biden scores endorsements from Kennedy family, looking to shore up support against Trump and RFK Jr.
U.S. President Joe Biden will accept endorsements from at least 15 members of the Kennedy political family during a campaign stop in Philadelphia on Thursday as he aims to undermine Donald Trump and marginalize the candidacy of Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
Where did the gold go? Crime expert weighs in on unfolding Pearson airport heist investigation
Almost 7,000 bars of pure gold were stolen from Pearson International Airport exactly one year ago during an elaborate heist, but so far only a tiny fraction of that stolen loot has been found.
When new leaders took over in ancient Maya, they didn't just bury the former royals. They burned their bodies in public
New archeological investigations in Guatemala reveal that the ancient Maya people had a ritual of burning royal human remains as a public display of political regime change.
Party's over: Coyotes play final game as Arizona franchise before move to Salt Lake City
Mullett Arena buzzed like few times in the two years since the Arizona Coyotes moved in, the fans amped for one last desert hurrah.