Quote:
Originally Posted by Chadillaccc
The stats nerd in me is getting reallly antsy to see the results of Red Deer's municipal census! Could Alberta finally have its 3rd municipality over 100 000? 
Also, in response to TriWolf's first comment on this page, yeah... most people have preconceptions about downtowns, and until recently, most downtowns on this continent had really bad raps, with very little residential population. Thankfully that is changing. Even the fact that Red Deer has built these mansion style condos downtown is a good sign... the city is thinking forward and trying to densify. Most cities under 100 000 wouldn't even be talking about something like that, let alone actively working towards it. I think with the improvements done to the core over the last few years, it will start to become a more attractive place for people to want to live. Now that the streets have been improved, the city should focus on enhancing the inner-city parks, and also attracting/hosting festivals in the downtown. Bring people down there, show them that it's safe, beautiful, fun, with amenities all around, and they will come.
And great news about the demolition of that industrial area. Perhaps Red Deer's future equivalent to Calgary's East Village?  |
You are indeed spot on with the festivals, Ross Street hosts an all summer long patio event each year with live music one a month, and there's also the weekly huge farmer's market (also downtown). Additionally there are 2 or three art galleries, there will soon be another opening up in the old Metropolitan Hardware building which is being renovated into loft/studio apartments on the upper floor and art kiosks on the lower level.
As for street improvements, 55th st is currently being completely overhauled, as it's been totally ripped up. By the end of the year, 55th utilities will have been upgraded from the 6 decade old infrastructure so it can better serve (traffic and utilities) for the dozen+ 3-8 storey apartment buildings down the street, as well as the Riverlands and Railyards.
Then there's also Taylor/Ross St intersection, which should be finished by the fall, and the new 67th St/30th Ave intersection in the north-east corner that's part of the Northland Drive project (similar to Taylor Dr) to connect south east Red Deer with north west Red Deer, as well as help deal with the increase in traffic in the north east corner, which within will be area of most growth in Red Deer for the next 10-20 years.
http://www.reddeer.ca/media/reddeerc...Ridge-2012.pdf
http://www.reddeer.ca/media/reddeerc...South-2013.pdf
http://www.reddeer.ca/media/reddeerc...stone-2012.pdf
http://www.reddeer.ca/media/reddeerc...North-2013.pdf
Sorry for the info overload :p