Capital Boulevard

The City of Edmonton is investing in the downtown to renovate five blocks of 108 Street between 99 Avenue and 104 Avenue. The streetscape improvements will transform this street into a premiere address to be called Capital Boulevard.

The new ceremonial street will highlight the connection of the provincial legislature to the capital city and celebrate the shared history between Alberta and Edmonton. It will provide a grand view from MacEwan University to the Alberta Legislature. 

The City of Edmonton’s improvements of the street will complement the Government of Alberta’s restoration of the Federal Building and the creation of a new Centennial Plaza at 99 Avenue and 108 Street in celebration of the legislature building’s 100th anniversary in 2012. The new plaza along with the redesigned street will increase downtown public space, providing year-round recreational opportunities. 

Attractive urban design

Capital Boulevard is one of the catalyst projects of the new Capital City Downtown Plan and advances the goal of creating a vibrant, well designed, sustainable and accessible downtown. 

When completed the street will feature:

• broad tree-lined sidewalks
• enhanced road and sidewalk lighting
• mid-block pedestrian crossings
• high quality street furnishings.

The enhanced appearance and improved walkability will contribute to making the downtown a more attractive place for working, living, learning and visiting.  

The changes will support the area’s focus as a major government and commercial office sector and could attract further investments into the west portion of the downtown. It will also encourage an increase in residential, mixed-use development to add evening and weekend activity into the area.

Construction schedule

The revitalization of Capital Boulevard is tied to necessary roadwork repairs.

The construction is scheduled in two phases:

• 2011-2012: improvements to 108 Street between 99 Avenue and Jasper Avenue
• 2012-2013: improvements to 108 Street between Jasper Avenue and 104 Avenue

The improvements are funded 100 per cent by the City of Edmonton in cooperation with the province of Alberta and downtown business partners.

Through the Great Neighbourhoods Initiative, City departments are working together to improve the livability of Edmonton’s neighbourhoods such as the downtown. Capital Boulevard was selected for funding to achieve multiple objectives:

• infrastructure renewal, 
• investing in mature neighbourhoods,
• implementing the Capital City Downtown Plan, 
• improving the look and feel of downtown, 
• enhancing walkability, 
• coordinating City investments with those being made by other institutions and orders of government.

History of project

• 2011-2013: Construction 
• 2010: Area Owners Open House to share final plans
• 2009: Identified as neighbourhood improvement project in Great Neighbourhoods Initiative
• 2008: Project funding change considered by City Council – decision made to delay implementation until Province determined plans for Legislature Grounds
• 2002-2003: Local improvement levy considered and then defeated by City Council
• 2002: Concept plan and detailed design drawings first shared with public
• 1997: first identified as possible physical improvement and road rehabilitation project
  

For more information:

Brian Van Sickle

Title	Senior Urban Designer
Telephone	780-496-6112
Email	brian.vansickle@edmonton.ca