We start with an interesting discussion about the buildings going up around town. Some of the new buildings going up will bring a splash of color to an otherwise beige array of structures. How do we feel about that? (hint: we love it). There’s also some great public art with the Alex Janvier’s selection for the winter garden and we share our thoughts on that too.

Then we get into the budget. Why was everyone so disappointed in the budget? What could Prentice have done differently? What does this mean for the election? Has the PC strategy backfired? The Galleria is not mentioned in the budget, so it looks like it won’t receive any funding required to go forward. What does that mean for the project?

We both like Little Brick, but what is it that we like about it? What could other local business owners learn from them? Metro has listed Edmonton’s best streets. Do we agree? What others should have been considered? We discuss those questions and more.

Here are some relevant links for this episode:

• Is MacEwan’s splash of lime green too much for Edmonton?
• Alex Janvier Named as Signature Artist for Rogers Place Public Art
• What does Alberta’s Budget 2015 mean for Edmonton?
• Little Brick
• Downtown Edmonton Galleria project set for its likely curtain call
• What’s Edmonton’s best street?

Thanks for listening!

What do we think of the premier’s comments about looking in the mirror? How could he have handled the situation differently? What will this mean for future comments from the Premier? Will it impact the release of the budget on March 26? Will it have a lasting impact beyond that?

Graham is excited about the new trail and another link in the river valley system, but will the City be able to maintain all of these trails? What’s the story for the downtown portion of the river valley? ETS is working on live transit information but people haven’t been happy with the app story, so Transit App took matters into their own hands. Is that bad? What can we learn from this? Is ETS intentionally holding data back? Once again Council is talking about replacing or changing the welcome signs that greet drivers as they enter the city. Why are we talking about this again? What should we do? How can we put this issue to bed? We discuss all those questions and more.

Here are some relevant links for this episode:

• Who is really to blame for Alberta’s financial situation? #PrenticeBlamesAlbertans
• 2012 Alberta Election: Social Media Highlights
• City Council Approves River Valley Oleskiw Trail
• Here’s the Transit App You Deserve, Edmonton
• Edmonton’s ‘City of Champions’ signs could soon disappear
• Welcome to Edmonton: what should be on the city’s signs?

Thanks for listening!