Federal funding of more than $6.7 million through the Canada Community Revitalization Fund will enable community-led initiatives across Edmonton to welcome residents and visitors back to public spaces and support local businesses.

April 29, 2022 – Edmonton, Alberta – PrairiesCan

Vibrant and modern public spaces are central to Edmonton’s high quality of life and play an important role to build communities and support local businesses. Revitalizing the downtown core and main streets, reinventing outdoor spaces, and increasing accessibility are all key to enabling Edmonton’s public spaces to safely welcome visitors and residents, support social well-being, and stimulate the local economy.

Today, the Honourable Daniel Vandal, Minister for PrairiesCan, joined by the Honourable Randy Boissonnault, Minister of Tourism and Associate Minister of Finance, and Mayor of Edmonton Amarjeet Sohi, announced a federal investment of more than $6.7 million in support of 27 community-led infrastructure projects across Edmonton that will improve key gathering spaces and encourage residents to, once again, come together as friends and neighbours.

Examples of projects receiving support include:

• An initiative to transform two downtown alleyways into community gathering spaces that will host festivals, markets and pop-up patios.
• Revitalizing a transit station by enhancing its accessibility and installing Indigenous art.
• Enhancing walkability and active transportation accessibility around Whyte Avenue with street furniture and parklets.
• Constructing an accessible gazebo and expanding a community garden in the Alberta Avenue community.
• Creating a pedestrian-friendly area on MacDonald Drive that connects Edmonton’s downtown to the city’s river valley.

The combined federal investment of $6,756,629 is expected to help create or maintain 185 jobs, increase accessibility and enjoyment of community spaces for people of all ages and abilities, and support investment attraction and business activity.