AnneStevenson
Its well known that the Blatchford development on the former city airport site has received both some praise and much criticism in its 10+ years of tenure. The initial vision was for it to lead an energy-focused re-development which to date has not been successful using standard building metrics. There have been fewer residences built and those that have cost more than comparable residences in other parts of the city.
Blatchford has been a costly project not just for builders and residents. The city says they have invested at least $167 million thus far, though Councellor Tim Cartmell suggests the amount is closer to $232 million.
Last April Mayor Amarjeet Sohi suggested Blatchford was “not a huge success." Councellor Anne Stevenson says Blatchford hit several milestones in 2024 which were an “inflection point” to judge the project’s success.
The city initially marked 2042 as when it expects Blatchford to house 30,000 residents within its 536 acres. From where we are today it may be too early to label Blatchford as a blight or a late bloomerr for Edmonton.
The Edmonton Police Commission is composed of a 12-member civilian board, seven appointed by council, three appointed by the provincial government and two City Council members, Anne Stevenson and Jo-Anne Wright. Growing tensions in the relationship between council and the commission led to the Police Commission requesting that the two City Councillors be replaced with two members of the public.
Tensions between City Council and the Police Commission run high, but John McDougall, chairman of the Edmonton Police Commission, told council the tension isn’t the reason why this is being recommended. McDougall said a 2023 governance review by an external consultant was the reason for the commission’s recommendations.
On Tuesday city council considered the recommendation and voted 11-2 to not make any changes to the makeup of the Police Commission.....at least for now.
Edmonton City Council will meet on September 10th to consider a request to replace its two members on the Edmonton Police Commission with community appointees. Jo-Anne Wright and Anne Stevenson are the city council members who would transfer their seats to two council appointees, increasing the majority of appointees on the 13-membe board The request to change the makeup of the Police Commission comes at a time when tensions between the commission and council are strained. Read the JOURNAL article below to familiarize yourself with the pros and cons associated with the request.
The residential parking permit program changes the City was to put into effect on June 1st weren't enacted upon and will be discussed at Wednesday's council meeting. Anne Stevenson, councillor for Ward O-day'min, who proposed the pause at the urban planning committee, said she heard a variety of concerns about the changes and doesn't think a decision will be made right away. She thinks the most important thing is that the City provide enough time for there to be back and forth communications between the City and the neighbourhoods before a decision is made.
I think Blatchford was largely driven by a council who bought into a "climate change, green agenda." They may well have thought they were leading the way but the fact that few are yet following calls that into question.