WhyteAvenue
In its efforts to attract more people to Whyte Avenue and old Strathcona the Old Strathcona Business Association (OSBA) has introduced new street furniture to help make the area more pedestrian-friendly. The furniture now includes benches, tables, and bike racks and more will be forthcoming. The furniture is designed to be comfortable, colorful, welcoming and permanent for those who come to Whyte Avenue, the busiest walking area in Edmonton.
#outdoorfurniture, #OldStrathconaBusinessAssociation, #WhyteAvenue
Edmonton has experienced a growth in crime and safety concerns the last couple of years and it has spread to various districts including Old Strathcona and Whyte Avenue. The Old Strathcona Business Association (OSBA) represents about 600 businesses in the area and many report a rise in vandalism, crime and safety concerns which are the basis for the OSBA's request for more funding and supports.
Dylana Twittey, who is a Gateway News Editor and 2nd year history student writes of what she appreciates about Whyte Avenue and why. What she writes in teh Guardian probably expresses the thoughts of many of the 40,000+ students in addition to countless non-student Edmontonians, including myself.
After the problems with snow clearing last winter the City took steps to ensure the same problems didn't happen again this winter. Things may have improved elsewhere but not on Whyte Avenue. Some business owners on Whyte avenue are becoming increasingly frustrated with snow windrows that they've been waiting to be removed since before Christmas. The snow windrows are a safety concern and unsightly in addition to being bad for business.
Increased social disorder is affecting Whyte Avenue businesses in many ways. Broken windows, theft, obnoxious and threatening behavior of some are all taking their toll on Whyte Avenue businesses directly and indirectly by the numbers of people who now find it uncomfortable to stroll on Whyte Avenue. Whyte Avenue businesses think a greater police presence would help quell the disorder but EPS Chief Dale McFee says current resources will not allow it.
On Friday evening a ceremony was held on the corner of Whyte Ave (82nd) and 104 Street to officially proclaim the corner as Pride Corner.
Street cars were once the mode of public transportation not only in Edmonton but in cities all over the world. The only street car still left in Edmonton is the High Level Bridge line operated by The Edmonton Radial Railway Society. The line has recently been extended and will have its grand opening run on Thursday, May 16th.