Council Roundup – October 26, 2011

October 27, 2011

Downtown arena financial framework approved, design to proceed

City Council agreed to move ahead with the design of a new downtown arena and approved a financial framework for the project. The City will now invest $30 million to complete the design to 60 per cent, which will enable contractors to bid on delivering a Guaranteed Maximum Price of $450 million for building construction. Read more.

Downtown Revitalization - Next Steps

Council approved the boundaries of a levy to fund new public infrastructure downtown that will stimulate development in the area. The Community Revitalization Levy (CRL) is not a new tax, it is a mechanism for directing increased tax revenue from new development or raised property value in an area to pay for the cost of public infrastructure that was built to stimulate development in that area.

A new proposed downtown arena is one of the projects that will stimulate development and is part of the CRL. $45 million from the CRL will be directed towards the arena. Other projects include River Valley Promenades ($13 million), Warehouse Campus Neighbourhood Central Park ($48 million), Central Warehouse Housing Incentive Program ($12 million), and Downtown Stormwater Drainage Backbone ($47 million).

The Mayor will now approach the province to approve a regulation allowing the city to implement this CRL.

Water rates set

City Council approved EPCOR water rates, including wastewater rates, for the next five years. This will provide customers with more stable and predictable monthly water bills, while allowing EPCOR to continue to invest in reliable water infrastructure.

Regional transit smart card wanted

The Mayor, on behalf of Council, will write a letter to the Capital Region Board indicating Edmonton’s desire to proceed with developing an electronic fare payment system for the city and region as soon as possible.

Taxis without (city) borders

The Mayor, on behalf of City Council, will write a letter to the Capital Region Board outlining the need to regulate taxi and limousine services in the capital region, not just on a city-by-city basis.

New historic buildings

Council designated the St. Francis of Assisi Church and the Northern Alberta Pioneers and Descendants Cabin as a Municipal Historic Resource. This means that those buildings are now legally protected from demolition and from inappropriate changes and alterations. With these two new additions there are now 98 properties designated as municipal historical resources in the city of Edmonton.

It’s only rock and roll and Council likes it

Council agreed to provide $25,000 from their 2011 Contingency Fund for start up funding for The Rock and Roll Society of Edmonton’s Centre for Arts and Music.

This organization provides music instruction to at-risk youth, giving them the confidence and life skills they need to succeed.