Edmonton Construction 13 (November 2015) - Page 279

Landlocked · #**5561** Posted **Dec 1, 2016, 8:37 PM**

Why not push for the renaming the Downtown neighbourhood to something less generic? That allows the term Downtown to be used to describe a cluster of neighbourhoods in the central core. There has to be some pillar of commerce and community that can be honoured through the name change. My apologies if there's was a 'Sir Gerald Downtown' who was responsible for some of the more iconic Downtown structures built in the early 20th century.

McBoo · #**5562** Posted **Dec 1, 2016, 8:44 PM**

You could. Afterall, there are many neighborhoods in Millwoods not named Millwoods.

I think the generic name though is central Edmonton, of which downtown is one neighborhood / community league.

noodlenoodle · #**5563** Posted **Dec 1, 2016, 8:54 PM**

Mill Woods. Just like Castle Downs. 2 words.

(Since we're arguing semantics I figured I'd nitpick)

BretttheRiderFan · #**5564** Posted **Dec 1, 2016, 9:06 PM**

Really excited to see work on augustana starting. It's become a depressing corner to walk past the last year or so.

Hallsy's Toupee · #**5565** Posted **Dec 1, 2016, 9:09 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Landlocked

Why not push for the renaming the Downtown neighbourhood to something less generic? That allows the term Downtown to be used to describe a cluster of neighbourhoods in the central core. There has to be some pillar of commerce and community that can be honoured through the name change. My apologies if there's was a 'Sir Gerald Downtown' who was responsible for some of the more iconic Downtown structures built in the early 20th century.

I have suggested that idea before but got flack over it.

How about Decoteau - same name as the new park? Then DECL won't have to change its acronym!!

McBoo · #**5566** Posted **Dec 1, 2016, 9:22 PM**

^ I'm liking it already

s4.audios · #**5567** Posted **Dec 1, 2016, 9:49 PM**

I like this idea of a different name than Downtown.

My vote would be on Community for Churchill. It has its own square!

BretttheRiderFan · #**5568** Posted **Dec 1, 2016, 9:51 PM**

Not really sure what the point of renaming downtown would be? It's not like it's known by any other name or that there's any confusion around the name downtown.

CMD UW · #**5569** Posted **Dec 1, 2016, 10:12 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by BretttheRiderFan

Not really sure what the point of renaming downtown would be? It's not like it's known by any other name or that there's any confusion around the name downtown.

There is no point and I am totally against it. There is 'Downtown' as defined by its boundaries in the statutory plan and then there is 'downtown' which is defined by its central location and includes various adjacent neighbourhoods of Oliver, Boyle Street-McCauley, Rossdale, Riverdale, Queen Mark Park/Central McDougall, etc.

Hallsy's Toupee · #**5570** Posted **Dec 1, 2016, 10:25 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by CMD UW

There is no point and I am totally against it. There is 'Downtown' as defined by its boundaries in the statutory plan and then there is 'downtown' which is defined by its central location and includes various adjacent neighbourhoods of Oliver, Boyle Street-McCauley, Rossdale, Riverdale, Queen Mark Park/Central McDougall, etc.

Well there are certain people who are anywhere from confused to huffy when people confuse official Downtown with colloquial downtown. So the simple solution is to rename the official neighborhood, and let downtown be the collective neighborhoods people think it is.

EdmTrekker · #**5571** Posted **Dec 2, 2016, 2:36 AM**

We live in the core and like the name "Downtown" to describe our community. NO name change is required or wanted !!

CMD UW · #**5572** Posted **Dec 2, 2016, 3:55 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hallsy's Toupee

Well there are certain people who are anywhere from confused to huffy when people confuse official Downtown with colloquial downtown. So the simple solution is to rename the official neighborhood, and let downtown be the collective neighborhoods people think it is.

At the end of the day does it matter. People will loosely refer to downtown based on their own interpretation. Regardless, those that bicker over where downtown begins or ends are simply splitting hairs.

s211 · #**5573** Posted **Dec 2, 2016, 3:34 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by CMD UW

At the end of the day does it matter. People will loosely refer to downtown based on their own interpretation. Regardless, those that bicker over where downtown begins or ends are simply splitting hairs.

Indeed. Years ago, it was much easier to define the downtown area when it was bounded by rail tracks and yards to the west and north. Without those physical barriers and increasing development around that fringe, lines blur.

Hallsy's Toupee · #**5574** Posted **Dec 2, 2016, 5:55 PM**

^^ It seems to matter to policy wonks, especially the new head of the Downtown Business Association. I remember when the owner of Brittany's called him out on C2E because he said her bar was not in downtown!

Having a different official neighborhood name would be no different from Mill Woods or Old Strathcona. The great unwashed regard Mill Woods as all of SE Edmonton south of the Whitemud, but there is no official neighborhood except for "Mill Woods Town Centre". And as far as I know, nobody seems to care if it is commonly incorrectly spelled "Millwoods". Old Strathcona is officially the historically designated part of Whyte Ave but many people tend to include all or part of the Strathcona, Garneau, Queen Alexandra and Richie neighborhoods.

Give the official Downtown neighborhood a proper name and only the policy wankers will use it (it's for their benefit), while the rest of us peasants can refer to downtown, central core, etc however they wish. No more hair splitting!

Daveography · #**5575** Posted **Dec 2, 2016, 6:59 PM**

Sad to say I might not be able to provide many photo updates for the next little while. I was hit-and-run on my bike on Wednesday by a driver who buzzed past me too fast and too close in my lane, and now I have a broken clavicle that not only makes typing difficult, but basically make lugging a camera a non-starter.

When I advocate for safer roads and infrastructure, remember that it's not an academic or political debate. I'm lucky to have been able to walk away from this incident; not everyone does.

240glt · #**5576** Posted **Dec 2, 2016, 7:10 PM**

Sorry to hear that Dave, I've never been hit but have had a few close calls. I still ride recreationally but haven't biked to work since I moved out of the Stadium area and the safety of its separated bike path along the LRT line. From Gold Bar it's not nearly as direct or safe

Hope to see you around soon

Hallsy's Toupee · #**5577** Posted **Dec 2, 2016, 7:20 PM**

^^ I saw that on your social media, Dave. Get better soon! And I wish I was one of your witnesses - I usually walk down the wooden staircase next to McDougall Hill Road every day at about that time, but unfortunately I ended up working late that afternoon.

Black Star · #**5578** Posted **Dec 2, 2016, 7:29 PM**

Whoa....hope you have a speedy recovery Dave.

2 of my 3 young boys have broken theirs in football. At least 4 to 6 weeks down time on average.

rapid_business · #**5579** Posted **Dec 2, 2016, 8:30 PM**

Saw it on Twitter too Dave. Hope you repair soon too. I'm 100% behind you when it comes to supportive infrastructure to make life safer for all modes of transportation in our City, especially those who are most vulnerable when deficiencies show themselves.

s4.audios · #**5580** Posted **Dec 2, 2016, 9:02 PM**

Glad nothing more serious happened to you Dave, hope you get well soon.

This world is full of inconsiderate idiots. Some humans disgust me...