Urban Design in Edmonton

[Coldrsx]

Great shot Chris!


https://twitter.com/chrisbuyze/status/1582841724229259264

[Hardhatdan]

Originally Posted by Coldrsx

Great shot Chris!


https://twitter.com/chrisbuyze/status/1582841724229259264

That's cool!

[Coldrsx]

Cannot wait to see these in Churchill.

Originally there was intent to make them part of the 'play' element, but my guess is that these are more art than anything else.

https://twitter.com/redknotstudio/status/1583910075600867329

[Coldrsx]

https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-rive...p3_feed%3B0Sga%2FIyFS3S9rrk7n5lw1A%3D%3D

[Coldrsx]

https://twitter.com/ctvedmonton/status/1612609948587794434

[Harrison]

The new gate will look great and in a much better location to boot. It'll look great in the classic skyline shot from the south side of the river.

[Coldrsx]

This post could not more perfectly exemplify why 102 Avenue should not be shut down to vehicles, or at least not yet. The bones are simply not there and while they could be added, the differences between the example she uses and 102 Avenue could not be more dissimilar and stark.

-Roadway width
-Small scale retail bays
-human-scale
-Feeling of comfort
-Density
-Greenery
-What appears to be a public washroom
-Sheltered from wind/elements to some degree
-Character buildings/surroundings

Lipstick on a pig holds true here and would lead to sending folks away with a poor quality experience that is a disservice to the movement and original idea.


https://twitter.com/ECryptyd/status/1617183560980647941

[Coldrsx]

102 Avenue report going to Council NOT supporting continuing the pilot or making it 'pedestrian only'.
https://pub-edmonton.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=174871

REPORT
Though the proposal will allow for the further pedestrianization of this portion of 102 Avenue, notable constraints associated with this proposed closure area include:
● Active Edges and Streetscape Activity - Surrounding land uses are not conducive to creating a vibrant pedestrian corridor
● Design - The closure area is separated from sidewalks on the north and south side, which may cause confusion due to non-intuitive allocation of pedestrian space
● Local Access - Nearby roadway/intersection may experience capacity and operational challenges, including wayfinding issues
● Safety - New pedestrian crossing control challenges at intersections and increased potential for jaywalking across the bike lane or light rail transit (LRT) tracks
Administration will work with the Downtown Business Association and stakeholders to develop a project for activation and submit an application for Downtown Vibrancy funding, which is subject to approval of the Core Partners Committee.

[Hallsy's Toupee]

Maybe wait until the Valley Line LRT is actually running and allow a whole summer to pass before rampaging to conclusions so soon!

[Harrison]

Originally Posted by Coldrsx

102 Avenue report going to Council NOT supporting continuing the pilot or making it 'pedestrian only'.
https://pub-edmonton.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=174871

REPORT
Though the proposal will allow for the further pedestrianization of this portion of 102 Avenue, notable constraints associated with this proposed closure area include:
● Active Edges and Streetscape Activity - Surrounding land uses are not conducive to creating a vibrant pedestrian corridor
● Design - The closure area is separated from sidewalks on the north and south side, which may cause confusion due to non-intuitive allocation of pedestrian space
● Local Access - Nearby roadway/intersection may experience capacity and operational challenges, including wayfinding issues
● Safety - New pedestrian crossing control challenges at intersections and increased potential for jaywalking across the bike lane or light rail transit (LRT) tracks
Administration will work with the Downtown Business Association and stakeholders to develop a project for activation and submit an application for Downtown Vibrancy funding, which is subject to approval of the Core Partners Committee.

I agree, 102 Ave shouldn't be pedestrianized, I just don't want to see a driver using the bike lanes as another vehicle lane.

[Coldrsx]

Old Strathcona linear green space development.

https://www.edmonton.ca/sites/default/fi...licRealm-StrategyArea1.pdf?cb=1676331956

[Slide]

^I recall many years ago proposals for the removal of the hairpin by ducking under sask drive at this point. I take it that plan is long dead

[Harrison]

Originally Posted by Slide

^I recall many years ago proposals for the removal of the hairpin by ducking under sask drive at this point. I take it that plan is long dead

For the time being, it was not considered for the Walterdale Bridge road approaches as the cost was quite high at the time.

There are plans to remove it at a future time though, just not sure when that'll be.

[Coldrsx]

Bingo. The tunnel/cutcover and approaches were cost prohibitive.

[Coldrsx]

https://twitter.com/udiyeg/status/1626391242123939841

[Coldrsx]

Can someone please tell me the point of renewing these spaces when but a few years after opening, the City uses asphalt to 'patch' multiple sections of stone that are 5x5sqft +, don't replace furniture that's removed for some of that work, leave marble benches broken and have left the promised decorative lighting incomplete for almost a decade now.

100-102st looks terrible and is less than a decade old

[Slide]

^ Besides the obvious (they never maintain things properly), they make the mistake of overcomplicating. Not everything needs to be custom. All they needed was some clean/classic looking lamp posts and street furniture. Nothing complicated or susceptible to vandalism. Nothing hard to replace should it need repair or replacement. And some good clean generic paving. Instead we got some of the ugliest traffic light/lamp posts, that looked comical from day one; with some custom light feature that never happened. I swear the old green ones look so good in comparison, unique but clean and simple. If they just painted them black or something, they could have been a good renewal. Or done light standards like 104 street. Every street doesnt need its own personality. Choose one look for all of downtown that is clean, simple and elegant, and just call it a day.
We currently have 108st, 104st, jasper avenue all different, and then you have some blocks north that still have traffic lights hanging off the old trolley wires.
Keep it simple.

[Harrison]

Originally Posted by Slide

^ Besides the obvious (they never maintain things properly), they make the mistake of overcomplicating. Not everything needs to be custom. All they needed was some clean/classic looking lamp posts and street furniture. Nothing complicated or susceptible to vandalism. Nothing hard to replace should it need repair or replacement. And some good clean generic paving. Instead we got some of the ugliest traffic light/lamp posts, that looked comical from day one; with some custom light feature that never happened. I swear the old green ones look so good in comparison, unique but clean and simple. If they just painted them black or something, they could have been a good renewal. Or done light standards like 104 street. Every street doesnt need its own personality. Choose one look for all of downtown that is clean, simple and elegant, and just call it a day.
We currently have 108st, 104st, jasper avenue all different, and then you have some blocks north that still have traffic lights hanging off the old trolley wires.
Keep it simple.

Agreed in full, there should be a standardized look for all redeveloped streetscapes in the central area (Jasper, 124th, 104th, Whyte, etc.) that would make maintenance much easier as the same garbage cans, light poles, etc. would be used in all areas. I don't get why everything needs to be custom.

[Coldrsx]

That initiative occurred 2-3 (4?) years ago now and specifically to address Jasper Avenue New Vision 97-100 as a direct result of the failure of the 100-102st.

I am not sure there is an actual catalog of options now, but my understanding was that there would be a few options for benches, lights, refuse, etc. to then apply city-wide.

[Coldrsx]

Y'all know my position on this one and even being a pedestrian first, I applaud this option FOR NOW.

Use it 'as intended/designed' and see how a greater variety of uses does based on the years of consultation.

Take opportunities to activity key nodes at 103st, 99-101 just off of the Ave and educate folks on how there are options for folks on how to move about.

Throughout the year do some enhanced activation, maybe even some temporary closures, akin to areas on 124st, Old Strath etc.

----
102 Avenue to reopen one vehicular lane east.

https://edmonton.ctvnews.ca/it-looks-ter...businesses-blast-car-free-test-1.6283246