Input gathered for Stony Plain Road streetscape project
By Tyler Loutan and Lacey Morris
EDMONTON — Residents of several communities along Stony Plain Road will have the opportunity to see the final concept for the area’s streetscape project in a public information session later this month.
The meeting, to be held Feb. 15 from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Westlawn Chapel, aims to give people who live in Canora, Britannia-Youngstown, West Jasper Place and Glenwood a chance to check out the city’s final plans, based in part of feedback collected at a Jan. 31 open house and through written surveys.
The Stony Plain Road streetscape project is in its concept phase. The City hopes to get some opinions from the public on the project. Photograph by Lacey Morris.
“This is going to be a huge lift for the whole area,” said George Abma, a 22-year resident of west Edmonton, who attended the Jan. 31 open house along with about 70 other people.
The concept included widening of sidewalks, a strong emphasis on more lighting, updated street signs and gateways. The concept was met with mixed reviews from the public in attendance due to the conflicts with the proposed west-end LRT line.
“Why would the city spend all this money to fix Stony Plain Road when they’re gonna have to dig it up later to put in the LRT?” said Shirley T., who has lived in the west end for 68 years.
While plans for the west LRT have been approved, no funding has been approved and no timelines are set to begin building, said Waqar Syed, senior engineer for the city of Edmonton.
“There could be a five-, 10- or 15-year wait until the plans are in motion to begin construction of the LRT,” Syed said at Tuesday’s meeting. “Stony Plain Road needs the revitalization now.”
Most attendees were positive towards the esthetic upgrades in the first concept and gave their input on which designs would work best for Stony Plain Road.
Fixing up Stony Plain Road is a part of a much broader project, the Jasper Place Revitalization project. The project covers a number of initiatives that are all aiming for the same target — that is, to help make the area a place where people will want to live, work and play, as the City of Edmonton website states.
The project falls within the Stony Plain Road and Area Business Revitalization Zone, which ultimately aims to improve the area through:
- Streetscape improvements
- Joint promotions and festivals
- Economic development initiatives
- Façade improvement program
The Façade Improvement Program provides grants to business owners to help make their buildings more esthetically pleasing. Alberta Avenue, for example, was spruced up in part through the program.
The Feb. 15 open house at Westlawn Chapel, 16310 Stony Plain Rd., is open to the public.
MorrisL26@mymail.macewan.ca
LoutanT@mymail.macewan.ca
