Mayor kicks off re-election campaign
Mayor promises to create innovation corridor, repurpose downtown offices
Mayor Don Iveson kicked off his re-election campaign Wednesday evening saying he is “betting on Edmonton” and running to make the city fiercely competitive in business.
“The economy is going to be my top priority,” he said, laying out a new plan for an “innovation corridor” along the LRT line between the Northern Institute of Technology, downtown, and the University of Alberta. Empty offices downtown can be repurposed to provide startup space and room to grow.
Key leaders in the technology and artificial intelligence sector already want to move, he said, pointing to the university’s Alberta Machine Intelligence Institute and the recently announced new Google DeepMind research lab.
“It’s talent-driven … Those people want to be located centrally,” Iveson said, explaining why these must be geographically concentrated.
“This is what I’ve heard from the researchers.”
Iveson held his launch party at La Cite Francophone in Bonnie Doon, saying its redevelopment and urban feel is something he wants to see replicated in neighbourhoods across the city.
Here, the coming Valley Line LRT is expected to spur the redevelopment of Bonnie Doon Mall. Regency Developments also wants to put 1,200 homes beside the planned Holyrood station.
Iveson said next to the economy, transportation and redevelopment will be a key focus for his campaign.
The increased density along better bus networks and LRT stations is a “quality of life” issue, he said, which is again key to attracting and keeping talent.
“It comes back to the economy.” Iveson’s campaign manager, Ryan Kelly, said the mayor will roll out the rest of his platform over the coming months, but nothing should surprise those who have been following his work.
He’s also said he will strive to encourage all candidates to be clear about where they stand on issues such as building non-market and affordable housing in all Edmonton neighbourhoods, and supporting Edmonton’s efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
“It’s a campaign for Edmonton,” Kelly said.
“We want to be really clear about that vision and pull the city with us.”
Iveson was running unopposed until business analyst Fahad Mughal declared his intention to run this month.
Bob Ligertwood is also running for mayor. He owns the Naked Cyber Cafe and has run several times in the past.
Candidates have until nomination day, Sept. 18, to announce their intentions. The election is Oct. 16.