Walkability emphasized in long-term plan for Old Strathcona area – Edmonton [Video]

Edmonton city council is debating the future of Old Strathcona, where the south Edmonton area’s future could see more pedestrian-friendly spaces — but the tradeoff is fewer places to park.

The Old Strathcona Business Association is fine with that, as it says funds for infrastructure renewal in the area are desperately needed.

“We see millions of dollars being invested in rehabilitating other areas of the city and we have not had our fair share, and it’s long, long overdue,” said Cherie Klassen, the executive director of the Old Strathcona Business Association.

She said the Whyte Avenue area attracts over a million visits each year. About half of that alone is during the Edmonton International Fringe Theatre Festival each August.

“We have way more foot traffic than just about any other area of the city, so it is long overdue to invest in our community because we also have a huge tax base,” Klassen said.

On …