Episode 49: Salary Hikes & Cuts, Winter Cities Shake-Up, Rossdale Canal

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In our forty-ninth episode we discuss the provincial MLA salary cuts and the City Council increase, the WinterCity Shake Up, the proposal for a canal in Rossdale, and an update on construction hoarding. This episode was recorded on January 30, 2015.

Very interesting timing for the Prentice announcement about a salary cut, just days after City Council approved an independent committee’s increase of their own wages. But is that really what the announcement is about, or is it more about the unions? What is going to happen with taxes in Alberta? Does our City Council need to make any symbolic cuts like the Province is? When might a provincial election be called?

We also discuss winter, from a variety of angles. People enjoy winter all over the world, why can’t we enjoy it here? Do we have to stay locked indoors during the winter? When can I get some mulled wine outside? Why is this canal idea for Rossdale coming forward now, if we already have Touch the Water? We agree Edmontonians should be able to enjoy access to the river, but what’s the best way to do that? With all the construction happening downtown, what changes are needed to improve construction hoarding? We discuss those questions and more.

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Episode 48: Makerspace, Metro Line LRT, CP Redevelopment, Uber

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In our forty-eight episode, we record in the new Makerspace Studio at the Stanley Milner Library downtown! We discuss the latest delay with the Metro Line LRT extension, the proposed redevelopment of the southside CP railyards, and we once again cover Uber.

How could the LRT extension to NAIT be delayed again? Was the approach to the signaling system thought through? It’s unacceptable that the opening of the LRT has been delayed until May, the fourth such delay, and we try to make sense of it. Oh, and how do you pronounce the name of the contractor? We gave it our best shot.

We discuss CP Rail’s plans to redevelop its southside rail yards. That’s a big piece of land, which could be really valuable. Will the City extend streets like 76 Avenue that currently stop at the railyards? If so, the development could have a unifying effect on the area.

And we once again discuss Uber. It was a hot topic at Council recently, with the decision in the end being to declare them illegal until such time as the Vehicle for Hire bylaws can be updated to allow services like Uber. Since we recorded, Uber has launched a petition to urge City Council to allow Uber in Edmonton.

We end with a brief discussion about disruptive TV and movie services.

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Episode 47: Bike Lanes, Pedways, Uber, and Falling Oil Prices

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In our forty-seventh episode, we discuss the decision by City Council to fund the 102 Avenue bike lane, the interest in Uber locally and around the world, and what falling oil prices could mean for the province and for Edmonton.

Should Council have funded the bike lane project in this Capital Budget? Why haven’t we spent more money on pedways? Are bike lanes just symbolic or do they reflect the changing desires of Edmontonians? What’s so great about Uber? Could it be part of the transportation mix in Edmonton? What about late night bus service? Instead of the “bitumen bubble” we’re now in the “oil trough” – will Edmonton be impacted? We discuss those questions and more.

Since we recorded this episode, Uber has now launched in Edmonton and the City of Edmonton says they’ll treat them as bandit taxis.

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Episode 46: Edmonton Hospitals, New Chamber CEO, Northlands Arena Strategy Committee, Winter Events

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In our forty-sixth episode, we discuss the state of hospitals in Edmonton, the ongoing saga of the Oilers, Janet Riopel’s new role as President and CEO of the Edmonton Chamber, the Northlands Arena Strategy Committee (which Mack is part of), the cancelled Santa Claus Parade, the 104 Street business situation with Earth’s General Store, and more.

Why are our hospitals falling apart? Why haven’t we planned properly to maintain them? Are we doing a better job with other things, like neighbourhood renewal? Why can’t the Oilers seem to turn things around when other teams have been able to? Are fans finally starting to stay away from games as a result? What’s going on with the Northlands Arena Strategy Committee? Is the cancelled Santa Claus Parade a bad thing or an opportunity? Are we tough enough to get outside? Why hasn’t Earth’s General Store found success on 104 Street?

We discuss those questions and more!

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Episode 45: Oilers, New Restaurants, Economic Development in the Region, Health Accelerator, Public Washrooms

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In our forty-fifth episode, we discuss the ongoing plight of the Edmonton Oilers, some new restaurants around town that have caught our eye, the new Sexy Men of YEG Food calendar, the latest CRB report on coordinated economic development, the new Health Accelerator at TEC Edmonton, and public washrooms.

There are lots of new restaurants to try, including Ampersand, a revamped North 53, and a bunch of lunch spots all around Central LRT Station. It’s a great time to enjoy downtown eats! On the topic of food, have you seen the Sexy Men of YEG Food calendar? All proceeds go to support the Edmonton Food Bank.

What can be done in the region to ensure we have positive economic development in the future? There’s an opportunity here, so how can we seize it? How does the City Charter fit into this opportunity, if at all?

Thanks to some funding from TEC Edmonton, we have a new Health Accelerator moving forward in Edmonton. Will we see 50 new health-related companies created as a result? How will this be different than previous efforts to succeed in the health-commercialization space?

Finally, we have a beautiful new public washroom in Borden Park. Have you checked it out?

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Episode 44: UAlberta Leadership Changes, Power 30, Top 40 Under 40

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In our forty-forth episode, we discuss some major changes that took place recently at the University of Alberta, and we share our thoughts on the Edmonton Journal’s Power 30 and Avenue Edmonton’s Top 40 Under 40 lists.

With a new President and the secondment of Provost Dr. Carl Amrhein to Alberta Health Services, there are big changes ahead for the University of Alberta. How will new President David Turpin put his stamp on the organization? What’s the impact of losing Dr. Amrhein?

We also take a look at the Edmonton Journal’s Power 30. How did the list come together? Do we agree with the people who made the list? Who are the most surprising individuals? What about the Titans? How many of the people recognized on the Top 40 Under 40 might make the Power 30 list in the future?

We discuss those questions and more!

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Episode 43: KLM to Amsterdam, EPS Helictopter, CFR/Farmfair, Northlands & Rexall Place

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We are back after a long hiatus! In our forty-third episode, we discuss a variety of current topics, including the new KLM flight, the proposed helicopter for EPS, CFR/Farmfair and the future of Northlands, the future of Rexall Place, Wi-Fi on the LRT, and more.

Edmonton now has a direct flight to continental Europe, so what’s Air Canada’s problem? Do the police really need a $7.2 million helicopter? What’s the future of the rodeo? Can Northlands find a future in agriculture? What about Rexall Place, what’s going to happen with that building now that the new arena is under construction? We discuss those questions and more.

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Episode 42: Summer Food & Festivals

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In our forty-second episode, we discuss some of the latest food news and also chat about Edmonton’s summer festival scene.

With exciting new additions to the local food scene like District, Burrow, Rostizado, Jacek, and many others, we’re really enjoying Edmonton’s restaurant renaissance. It seems others are too, as Edmonton is increasingly mentioned in the national media. Should we be surprised at the recognition or can we leave our modest selves in the past and embrace the new Edmonton wholeheartedly?

We also discuss Edmonton’s summer festivals, with the Heritage Festival taking place over the long weekend the Fringe on the way. Should we be concerned that K-Days attendance was down again this year? Is the Fringe our Stampede? Do we even need a Stampede? We discuss those questions and more.

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Episode 41: High Level Bridge Lights, 104 Street Closures, Digital Parking Meters, Touch the Water

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In our forty-first episode, we talk about the new lights on the High Level Bridge, businesses closing on 104 Street, an update on the Commonwealth Games bid, the end of coin-operated parking meters, and the touch the water project.

Do you like the lights on the High Level Bridge? They’re here to stay either way! There have been a few closures on 104 Street recently, such as Sobeys and Corona Shoes. Is there an issue there? Are they closures something we should be concerned about? Now that the bid committee has been named for the effort to host the Commonwealth Games in 2022, should we be optimistic? Edmonton is getting rid of coin-operated parking meters, replacing them with digital ones as they have in Calgary. Is there an opportunity to do something more, or should we just take this progress and build on it? Finally, what are the prospects for the touch the water project? We discuss those questions and more.

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Episode 40: Urban Beach, Fort Edmonton Park upgrades, FIFA Women’s World Cup, Innovation Infrastructure

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In our fortieth episode, we discuss the urban beach or sand park being considered for Louise McKinney Park, Fort Edmonton Park upgrades, the U-20 FIFA Women’s World Cup taking place this year and the FIFA Women’s World Cup taking place next year, and innovation infrastructure here in Edmonton and Alberta.

Why are we talking about the Urban Beach now? Should we really be spending $150 million to upgrade Fort Edmonton Park? Could we really build a more exciting attraction with the proposed upgrades? Does any of that cost include improving access to Fort Edmonton Park? How do we create the necessary excitement around the FIFA Women’s World Cup? What does the Province’s push for improve innovation infrastructure tell us about Premier Dave Hancock? What can we expect from the Innovation Council? We discuss these questions and more.

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