Next stage of Imagine Jasper Avenue project construction to begin next year

The Imagine Jasper Avenue project is inching closer to being fully realized as the City of Edmonton seeks out a contractor to deliver the second phase of the project, which covers 114th Street to 124th Street.

The revitalization project started in 2015 and includes two lanes of motor vehicle traffic in each direction, shorter pedestrian crossing distances at each street along Jasper Avenue, wider sidewalks, landscaping, benches, and bike racks. 

Phase 1 of the project from 109th Street to 114th Street was completed in 2021. The city is currently doing utility relocations for the second phase.

Satya Gadidasu, project manager with the city, told CBC extensive consultation was done to design the revamp. 

"Consultation was done to understand public competing interest of active modes versus transit versus bike lanes, and still maintaining the commuter traffic services to get in and out of downtown." 

The city said the goal is to restore and elevate the avenue as a main street in the city. 

Another project, Jasper Avenue New Vision, which focused on Thornton Court, was completed in 2022.

Neal LaMontagne is a faculty lecturer at the School of Urban and Regional Planning at the University of Alberta.

He said the project is a good step forward but adds he wishes it was more ambitious. 

"It's very standardized, and it lacks colour. It lacks a little bit of oomph that we might need if we're going to realize Jasper's older potential as our ... premier main street," he said in an interview. 

"It's sort of a backbone project. It's the type of things that you need, the physical infrastructure you need, but it's not going to create much of a catalyst effect." 

Edmonton's 2023-2026 capital budget includes $263 million to build more housing, renew neighbourhoods and rehabilitate roads and city facilities. 

The budget adjustment passed this summer includes $8 million more for the Imagine Jasper Avenue rehabilitation.  

"This is a major project with a lot of segments with the stakeholders and business interest," Gadidasu said on why the project is split into two phases.

"The idea of delivering such a massive project all in one budget cycle, is tough for council to make it a priority." 

Jasper Avenue reconstruction is one part of the push to boost downtown revitalization, Gadidasu said.

Urban planning challenges

LaMontagne said the downtown core has to become more centralized. 

"We've had decades of shifting our retail focus away from the centre core, even in the centre core itself," LaMontagne said.

"We've been building out most of our retail and large consolidated projects like Unity Square and Brewery District away from the traditional main streets like Jasper Ave." 

LaMontagne said that approach, combined with shifting trends of where and how people work, means fewer people in the core. 

"There's a lot of good things happening in downtown, but it certainly doesn't have the critical mass that would need to sustain Jasper as a major retail street in the city."

LaMontagne said Edmonton needs to make its public spaces, particularly downtown, more accessible and fun. 

"Almost every other major Canadian city is in patio spaces, is in fun spaces, and even the private sector animation of the street, we've been a little hesitant on that," LaMontagne said. 

"Compare that to what say Montreal is doing on their public space ... what Calgary is even doing on Stephen Avenue to bring in colour and animation and activity is further ahead. What Vancouver is doing on their shopping streets like Main Street or Bramble street.

"Edmonton is a quirky city. We should have that in our major streets." 

Phase 2 of Imagine Jasper is expected to start next spring with the city hoping to finalize contractor procurement in early January.