Residents of Revitalized Alberta Avenue Celebrate

September 16, 2012

Residents gathered at the site of the recently demolished Cromdale Hotel to celebrate its removal as a milestone in the ongoing revitalization of Alberta Avenue. Hundreds took to the streets, enjoying live music, entertainment and activities for children.

This recent revitalization effort, which will see a new Shoppers Drug Mart in place of the Cromdale, supports the larger goal to energize 118th Avenue from NAIT to Northlands. The City of Edmonton, community groups and residents have worked together to improve streets, businesses and green spaces to foster a vibrant community life on Alberta Avenue and to improve residents’ quality of life.

“This is a new chapter for the community here and a major step towards revitalizing 118th Avenue,” said Mayor Stephen Mandel. “The streets will be safer and more welcoming and community life will improve dramatically.”

The Avenue Initiative, a community-led strategy, was approved by City Council in 2005 and since then has grown to include many local groups working to create a vibrant, safe place to live and shop. The area is now known as Edmonton’s newest arts destination.  

“This is a great example of a community working in partnership with the City to make their neighbourhood a more livable and vibrant place,” said Councillor Tony Caterina. “All the partners deserve a lot of credit for what they have accomplished.” 

The City of Edmonton’s Avenue Initiative and Neighbourhood Empowerment Team (NET), Parkdale Cromdale Community League, Alberta Avenue Business Association, Arts on the Ave, Rat Creek Press and Community Response To Disorder (CRUD) are among the partners involved.

“The demolition of the Cromdale Hotel is something the community has wanted and worked towards for many years,” said Council Ed Gibbons. “In that sense, today is really a celebration of successful community mobilization towards positive change and we all look forward to a new, exciting period for the area.”

The Avenue Initiative falls under Neighbourhood Revitalization which is a process directed by the community and supported by the City to identify strengths, issues, challenges and the potential of a particular community. People, businesses, and organizations in an area determine their own goals and action plans to build on strengths and improve quality of life.

 

For more information:

Judy Allan

Community Services

Title	Neighbourhood Revitalization Coordinator
Telephone	780-495-0318