http://http://www.interscape.ca/people_gerrard.htmRenewal and revitalization of Edmonton
Cranes and construction abound the last couple of years in our downtown core freeing many parking lots and unused buildings allowing for the exciting revitalization and growth of Edmonton’s downtown area. This transformation is largely due to some important visionaries that live and work in the very area they are responsible for renewing.
Mary Gerrard, the principle of Interscape Interior Design is one of those futuristic dreamers. Having been involved in numerous commercial, healthcare and institutional projects in the city for many years Mary brings her personal style and verve to this business. Her passion for the revitalization of Edmonton’s downtown core combined with her personal passion, experience and very impressive credentials: B.I.D, M.A.P.A.P., L.I.D., Leed Accredited, N.C.I.D.Q. (National Council of Interior Design Qualifications) certificate number 018128.
Living and working in the downtown core has long been a dream for Mary and her General Contractor husband. A few years ago when they were looking for a private home for themselves and their children they could not find the perfect blend of community, green space and lifestyle they wanted in order to raise their young family. So, instead they bought a stand-alone house on the rims of the urban centre.
This became one of the catalysis that drove Mary into becoming involved in the downtown advisory committee established in 1994 by the city of Edmonton to create a vision for the revitalization of the downtown core. Policies and procedures were put into place with the help of other forward thinking urbanites such as Michael Phar and following Gene Dub and his 0e80r 80. Creating incentives such as tax breaks for developers, relaxing some codes allowing vacant warehouse spaces to be renovated for loft style living and creating a better environment to draw shopkeepers and restaurants back to the downtown core where some of the items the committee pressed forward with to city council.
Explaining the difficult task it was introducing the urban living concept to city council many years ago Mary shares with us some of the committee struggles. “A couple of years ago people were buying due to price and the younger professional people buying in the downtown core had a different vision for how they wanted to live. They desired living close to downtown, to the nightlife, restaurants, and shopping areas.”
“We had a mayor a few years ago and it seemed like city council was not working toward or interested in the revitalization of the area. That is why we finally did get the committee backed by the City of Edmonton to work on this long-term goal to include measures and incentives to propel this project forward. It was a stiff- uphill battle with the city council a few years ago to see the benefit of revitalization the downtown core. It took 10-12 years to get the council to see the benefit. They started with only one million dollars for us to work with on this proposal. The city council, at that time did not see the future tax benefits of increasing residential properties by the way of increased population in the core. This increase in population is now paying residential property taxes- to new businesses and increased public transportation use by these people. Michael Phar was a great visionary for the urban core and very active in the revitalization of downtown Edmonton.”
One of the biggest obstacles developers are still facing with city council is the easing of parking requirements. “They (city council) don’t understand urbanization. Many people walk, take public transportation or use cabs. Relaxing the parking requirements for downtown, as many people don’t have cars- they don’t need one- is still one of the hurdles being faced. Easing parking stall requirements has been a tough hurdle explaining to council while we try to them why we don’t need that many cars.
“Another example is low-cost housing, can’t meet the parking requirements in the inner city, and the council does not seem to understand that many people can’t afford to have both a house and a car. Naturally the desire to live downtown close to public transportation is preferred for many in this group- and they don’t need a car- but the council does not seem to understand the dichotomy of this concept. Public transportation is not that available out in the suburbs.”
“Requirements of suburbia are not required in the core- we don’t want all the concepts of suburbia or we would live there. People who live in the core like the noise, the traffic, the excitement and ease of commute.” Mary passionately explains.
Interesting to note is the demographics driving the increase in urban revitalization in Edmonton:
1) Young professionals-‘20 somethings’- the new graduates single or co-habiting wanting the excitement and proximity to events, nightlife and their work while reducing the necessity of having a car.
2) Downsizers- the ‘50 somethings’ who have traded in the large suburban home and want to be close to the downtown core for theatre, the Winspear and prefer the large lofty spaces. Often this group has a recreational property as well.
The newest group taking advantage of the urban lifestyle is
3) Young families- ‘30 somethings’ that have lived in suburbia and tired of the commute.
This last demographic is truly changing the landscape of Edmonton’s urban centre.
“When you go to the downtown market and look up you see kids waving to you from their windows. You see more kids living in urban areas, we now have great schools downtown or easily accessible to the area.”
Many professionals’ with families are looking at downtown living again. “We don’t like the commute. We tired driving to suburbia and then having to drive 10 minutes for a jug of milk. Many families are moving back (to the urban centre) and looking at the larger spaces as well a greenspace- so rooftop gardens are important to them. In conjunction with their properties- pocket parks and that sort of amenities- this is the group that is buying the larger more expensive properties.”
For this group they like the urban centre- they like to be close to all the arts, shopping and restaurants if you live downtown you can walk. Once public transport gets better more and more people will want to use it.
Historically Edmonton has not offered great greenspaces in the city core, or balconies and decks, so now many developers are incorporating these requirements into their properties.
Environmental issues seems not to be the largest concern of this group however it is easy for a family to give up one car if they live in the city centre area. “We had a terrific concept that perhaps there could be an agreement with a rental car agency that they keep 3 or 4 cars available on preferential arrangement for residents of various urban properties. The idea being that when a resident needed a car for the weekend or other short period of time there would be one available. It was an idea suggested to the city in order to help in understanding the need to reduce the amount of parking spaces required, but the council is not ‘urbanized’ enough yet to understand.
Basically creating a more friendly business and residential environment in the city core is creating the increasing interest for returning to the city’s core. Embracing the urban neighbourhood is the gate that creates better connections and sense of community.
