Jasper Avenue project gets a thumbs up from local residents
New patio spaces, colourful planters and murals are finally helping the west part of Jasper Avenue lose that “hollow” feeling, said one of many residents took in changes to Edmonton’s main street Saturday.
City officials are still waiting for the arrival of benches, more patios and small park spaces to help residents and commuters visualize what a full makeover could mean. But the planters and bollards are in and, at the opening launch party, many were impressed.
“I saw it yesterday and thought, ‘This has to be the dumbest idea ever,’” said Bob Walker, sitting on a couch in space that used to be roadway.
“But now with the trees and everything? I think Edmonton wants to become a cosmopolitan city real bad. People complain, but they want it, too.”
The pilot project, which runs from 109 Street to 115 Street, converts the outside lane on both sides of the road into a mix of patio space and parking. It also extends bus stops into the road. That means transit riders can board off the regular sidewalk, protecting them with large planters and trees, but the buses hold up traffic while they load passengers.
At each intersection, yellow bollards make the corners tighter to slow down motorists and narrow the distance pedestrians are unprotected while they cross the street.
“I think it’s really good,” said Maureen Doram while walking down the sidewalk. This part of Jasper Avenue felt “hollow” before, she said, complimenting the art and how Edmonton keeps trying to expand the sense of community.
At the launch party, people used smartphones and cardboard cutouts to visualize what the full street makeover could mean. They sat listening to music and eating gelato in the General Hospital parking lot.
“It looks good. I’d just love to know the impact on traffic,” said Mohamed Omar, a south-side resident who came to check it out with his four-year-old daughter Laila.
Officials will be evaluating the pilot project throughout the summer, leaving the temporary barriers in place until the fall. The permanent changes would be part of regularly scheduled road rehabilitation, to be debated in the next capital budget cycle.
Down the street, in the parking lot near the Save-On-Foods, Saturday drivers still seems intrigued rather than angry at the loss of a lane.
“It’s more attractions to draw people into the downtown area,” said Chung Ngu, adding he did find it a little more difficult to turn right.
Jessica Cartwright said she loves the changes and was just about to park to go walking with her two daughters.
“I’m hoping they city continues trying to make it more like Vancouver with families,” she said, adding she’d like to live downtown but can’t find an apartment that allows children or is large enough for a family.
Residents from across Edmonton will get a chance to comment on the changes starting in mid-August. Officials are planning a formal phone survey, online survey, focus groups and street survey, with people stopping to ask opinions from pedestrians. Officials are also planning to hold a scavenger hunt and festival Aug. 26, yoga and walking tours Sept. 16 and a movie night Oct. 28 to get people out.