THIS WEEK IN EDMONTON

ON THE AGENDA

Stephanie Swensrude

This week, councillors are set to discuss transit-oriented development in Century Park, an audit of the 2025 municipal election, and community engagement during the neighbourhood renewal process.

There is a utility committee meeting on Feb. 2, a public hearing on Feb. 3, and an audit committee meeting on Feb. 4.

Here are some key items on the agenda:

• K&H Land Development has applied to rezone land adjacent to the Century Park LRT Station and Transit Centre to facilitate the development of about eight hectares of vacant land, some of which is now used for park-and-ride, into a transit-oriented development. The original plan for the development designated 27 Avenue as a pedestrian-oriented main street. The proposed rezoning would result in a vehicle-oriented design instead, to support the businesses that will eventually open along 27 Avenue, the developer said. If council approves the rezoning, the developer could build mixed-use buildings up to 22 storeys tall.
• The Office of the City Auditor released a report about the 2025 municipal election, highlighting issues with the computer system and paperwork that may have contributed to long lines. The report said that staff found it difficult to operate the technology and recommended better training in future elections.
• An audit recommends that city staff be clearer about how feedback is used during neighbourhood renewal to prevent confusion and frustration around which designs residents can influence. Administration has four levels of engagement, ranging from the advise level (where staff consider public feedback in designs) to the decide level (where residents make decisions directly). The Office of the City Auditor said it observed interactions where residents were asked to provide feedback, but it wasn’t clear how designers would use that feedback. Administration said it will be more clear when engaging residents.
• EPCOR’s 2026 operating plan involves streamlining lot grading and new service applications for housing developers. The plan, which will be reviewed by utility committee, said water and sewer connections grew nearly 50% last year, mainly due to increased infill development. The improvements are expected to provide greater certainty to developers. Other plans for 2026 include spending $288 million to support the performance and resiliency of its assets, planning for flood mitigation at its Gold Bar Wastewater Treatment Plant, and replacing prioritized distribution mains.

Here are updates on some items we told you about last week:

• Administration told council property taxes could grow by nearly 44% in the next decade. Staff said the capital budget will be tight in the next 10 years and recommended that council focus on renewing, maintaining, and repairing assets instead of funding new projects. Beginning in 2029, administration will begin collecting money for a dedicated renewal fund through property taxes, which is expected to help. Coun. Ashley Salvador asked administration to provide a report about increasing that tax levy to narrow the gap further. Salvador also requested a report outlining how many buses are needed to maintain current transit service levels to 2030, as well as the service impacts of not meeting minimum requirements. Meanwhile, Mayor Andrew Knack said he thinks the budget process will be the most thorough he’s experienced since he was elected to council more than a decade ago.
• Council voted 10-3 to provide a $6.5-million grant to the Winspear Centre to help it solve a revenue crunch related to the new downtown district energy hub. Councillors Karen Principe, Erin Rutherford, and Jo-Anne Wright voted against providing the grant.
• Council postponed its discussion on whether it should accelerate the timeline for widening two arterial roads in The Meadows from two lanes to four lanes. The discussion is scheduled to take place on Feb. 3.
• The councillors talked at length about the authorization of neighbourhood structure plans, and the new terms of reference that have changed at what point in the planning process that council hears about certain growth metrics. Concerns were raised about future suburban neighbourhoods contributing to the city’s large asset inventory. Coun. Anne Stevenson moved to authorize the creation of a neighbourhood structure plan for Kettle Lakes, but with the conditions that a draft be presented to urban planning committee before the final plan is presented to council at a public hearing, and that the plan include information on how city expenditures will not exceed city revenues. She was unsuccessful in requiring these conditions; council voted 7-6 to remove them from the motion, and the authorization then passed 9-4.

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• On Monday, at 9:30 am, the Utility Committee will meet. On the agenda is the EPCOR Water Services’ 2026 Operating Plan. The Plan emphasizes three focus areas: safe, reliable utility services; customer experience and value for money; and shareholder value. Capital investments total $464 million in 2026, prioritizing reliability and lifecycle replacement, climate adaptation projects (including dry ponds and flood barriers), water distribution and transmission main renewal, and sanitary sewer rehabilitation. The Plan notes that Advanced Metering Infrastructure is nearly fully deployed, supporting accurate billing and leak detection. The utility is preparing its first consolidated Performance-Based Regulation rate application for 2028-2031, integrating stakeholder input on affordability, reliability, and cost-of-service methodology.
• On Wednesday, at 9:30 am, the Audit Committee will meet. The Office of the City Auditor reviewed Edmonton’s Neighbourhood Renewal Program, which rebuilds roads, sidewalks, street lights, and other infrastructure in existing neighbourhoods, typically over a four- to six-year period. The audit found that the Building Great Neighbourhoods Branch generally follows the City’s Project Development and Delivery Model (PDDM) for project management, ensuring proper planning, delivery, and oversight of renewal projects. However, improvements are needed in three areas: clearer documentation for approving field design changes, providing residents with more understandable information about how their feedback is used, and creating formal guidance on which engagement tactics to use at each phase of a project. The audit recommends implementing these measures to ensure consistent project documentation, reduce resident confusion, and improve the effectiveness of engagement.
• Edmonton residents could be in for a decade of sticker shock on their tax bills. City officials told Council this week that, based on projects already approved or underway, property taxes could climb roughly 44% by 2036, meaning a homeowner paying $2,000 today could be paying close to $3,000 in ten years. Driving the pressure is the city’s rapid growth, especially the need for more fire stations, staff, and service capacity, plus mounting costs to maintain roads, bridges, and transit. Administration says Edmonton has already found $1.9 billion in efficiency savings since 2015, but the infrastructure renewal gap is still widening - now projected at $2.8 billion from 2027-2030. The City faces $39.8 billion in total renewal needs, with $17.6 billion required by 2036 to avoid critical failures. Council heard a menu of uncomfortable options: cut or reduce services, raise user fees, slow new growth projects, sell assets, or borrow more.
• A recent report highlights a sharp contrast in Edmonton’s retail market, with suburban areas thriving while Downtown struggles. Suburban retail spaces, particularly in the west end, have low vacancies and strong demand, whereas Downtown retail faces nearly 15% vacancy, driving rents down despite available space. This shift has been attributed to the rise of remote work, which accelerated during the pandemic, leading to fewer office workers and reduced foot traffic downtown. Edmonton City Centre mall’s receivership added thousands of vacant square feet, presenting opportunities that require significant investment to develop. Retail experts emphasize that Downtown businesses must offer unique experiences to compete with e-commerce and attract customers. Some see potential in converting office spaces to residential, which could eventually bring more people and retail activity downtown. 
• The Coronation Park Sports and Recreation Centre in Edmonton officially opened after more than 15 years of planning, offering a state-of-the-art space designed for all ages and athletic abilities. Its standout feature is a 250-metre Category A velodrome, the only one of its kind in Western Canada and one of three in the country, making Edmonton a key destination for international cycling and triathlon athletes. The $153-million facility also includes a bouldering wall, urban court, fitness centre, and is connected to the Peter Hemingway Aquatic Centre, while serving as North America’s only indoor triathlon training centre. Already, national teams from Australia, Germany, and the US are booked to train there ahead of the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. The City sees the centre as an opportunity for economic development, tourism, and international sporting events. While Edmonton plans smaller recreation projects in partnership with others, budget constraints make another large-scale facility unlikely in the next four years. The Coronation Park centre demonstrates the potential for community benefit and economic impact through strategic investments.