A central Edmonton street lined with restaurants and pubs could become a free flow of alcohol and entertainment on Saturdays if city council approves a bylaw to allow it.
The city proposes to designate Rice Howard Way an entertainment district from June 1 to Aug. 24 this summer.
If passed, the bylaw would allow the city to close 101A Avenue to vehicles between 100th Street and 101st Street on Saturdays from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.
It would let local restaurants and bars sell alcohol to people who can roam inside and outside within the designated borders during those hours.
City council’s community and public services committee reviewed the proposal at a meeting Monday, where the city’s director of downtown vibrancy, Tom Girvan, said the bylaw would reduce red tape and support local businesses.
“The entertainment district does not promote additional alcohol consumption or increased risks associated with safety and security,” Girvan said. “Instead, it enables active activities that are currently permitted to occur more easily by reducing red tape for event organizers and allowing businesses to benefit from events.”
WATCH | The city seeks input from the public on downtown entertainment district:
The City of Edmonton is looking for public input for a proposal to create a downtown entertainment district on Rice Howard Way. The city says it’s a push to improve vibrancy downtown by creating a pedestrian-only space where food and alcohol could be enjoyed outdoors.
Groups looking to stage an event on Rice Howard require a special event licence from Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis, which can take up to six weeks and allows for only one liquor provider in a beverage garden, Girvan explained.
Last year, the Canadian Hydrogen Convention took out a special event license to host a party on Rice Howard Way, and local businesses weren’t able to participate, he noted.
Jordan Beatty, operations manager for the Sherlock Holmes Hospitality Group, joined the meeting to express support for the project.
Local establishments are still feeling the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, he said.
“We want people to have a reason to come downtown, because right now, people can be a little bit timid about coming downtown,” Beatty said. “This will give us an opportunity to showcase what we can do and how safe downtown truly can be.”
Anne Stevenson, Ward O-day’min councillor, said the designated district would help boost vibrancy and revitalize the downtown economy.
“This is a way to both attract people and support even more of the businesses surrounding,” Stevenson said in an interview Monday.
The city is collaborating with the Edmonton Downtown Business Association on the project.
The EDBA will organize events and be responsible for providing an emergency response plan, insurance, signs and complying with city bylaws.
LISTEN ¦ Business owners weigh in on whether Edmonton needs an entertainment district:
22:39Does Edmonton need an entertainment district?
The city is looking at making downtown more fun. New reports are looking at how to improve our night time economy, and plans are in place to create a formal ‘Entertainment District’ on Rice Howard Way. Host Clare Bonnyman goes to check out the proposed district, and hear from the city and business owners about the difference this new space could make.
Puneeta McBryan, executive director of the EDBA, said they will contract Hiregood, a property maintenance company they often use for special events.
They’ll be responsible for cleaning and picking up garbage and similar to any event where alcohol is served, will make sure there’s a safe environment and intervene if there’s disruptive or illegal conduct, which can include calling peace officers or police, McBryan said in an email to CBC News.
Traffic and noise concerns
The boundaries in the entertainment district will allow for vehicles to move through Jasper Avenue to 102nd Avenue, to access parkades and allow for loading and off-loading at local buildings, such as the McLeod Building on the corner of 100th Street.
Attendants will staff the intersection at Rice Howard and 100A Street, to ensure vehicles are moving safely and slowly, Girvan added.
Stevenson said she’s heard concern from residents living in the area about potential noise.
“I’m a former resident of downtown,” she told the committee. “There is a challenge of it being a central activity node and also your backyard and where you try to get to sleep at night,”
McBryan said aside from a big concert on June 1 for the Downtown Spark Block Party, most Saturday evenings will be lower-key with busker-style entertainment.
Councillors on the committee voted in favour of sending the bylaw to the next council meeting for formal approval, slated for a vote on May 14.