No Title Mack & Graham

In our fifty-ninth episode, we discuss the big NDP victory in the Alberta election, the latest Council decision to support the Galleria project, the risk that the Edmonton Rush might be leaving Edmonton after this season, and the vast swaths of downtown that remain either vacant or unfriendly toward pedestrians.

How did the NDP go from 5 seats to more than 50? Where did Prentice and the PCs go wrong? What does this mean for the NDP going forward? Who will the cabinet ministers be? On the Galleria project, why is Council now supporting it? Do we really need this project? Is it a social enterprise, or should the private sector really be taking this forward if it is actually needed? With such a successful season, why are the Edmonton Rush at risk of leaving the city? There's a lot of great things happening downtown, but why are there so many vacant storefronts still? Will the new stuff be more pedestrian-friendly?

We discuss those questions and more.

Here are some relevant links for this episode:

#abvote 2015 Results Dashboard
City Council endorses phased approach to Edmonton Galleria project, but many questions remain
NLL hopes Rush finds a way to remain in Edmonton
A colorful window into downtown Edmonton’s transformation

Thanks for listening!

In our fifty-eighth episode, we discuss the major changes underway at the Edmonton Oilers, the Alberta leaders debate and other election news, the lower tax hike that Council has approved, and the Aboriginal City event hosted by The Walrus.

All of a sudden Oilers fans have reason to be excited again! With a new GM and Connor McDavid, things are looking up. Will we get a new coach? Do we really have reason to be excited? With the polls predicting an NDP victory, what are our predictions for the election? Who will form government and who will serve as the official opposition? How was Council able to lower the tax increase for 2015? What will they spend the extra money on? What were the takeaways from the Aboriginal City event?

We discuss those questions and more! We close with a short update on placemaking.

Here are some relevant links for this episode:

Oilers hire Chiarelli as president, general manager
Alberta leaders debate: Poll suggests NDP's Rachel Notley won
#abvote Dashboard
Council passes lower tax hike
Recap: The Walrus Talks Aboriginal City in Edmonton
Space for Place: Placemaking in Edmonton

Thanks for listening!

In our fifty-seventh episode we discuss the City's ongoing branding efforts, the new Baccarat Casino downtown, the funicular proposed to improve access to the river valley, and the revamped Varscona Theatre.

Why is city branding important? What has Make Something Edmonton been up to? Why is it taking so long to get some sort of result? Could we have done it more quickly? What can we learn from other successful branding efforts, like ATB Financial?

We finally have some news about what's happening with the Baccarat Casino, so what's the story? What other kinds of announcements should we expect about the arena district? The City says the funicular is going to happen this year - what do we think about that? Will it be enough to get people into the river valley? The Varscona Theatre is being revamped from the ground up and looks to be a beautiful new arts facility.

We discuss those topics, questions and more! We close with a few thoughts on the provincial election.

Here are some relevant links for this episode:

Make Something Edmonton
Branding Edmonton: Signs & Slogans
Edmonton Tourism Official Site
Duchess Bake Shop named on Buzzfeed's international bakery bucket list
Baccarat Casino to be replaced
Downtown funicular getting closer to reality
Goodbye - and an affectionate good riddance - to the old Varscona Theatre

Thanks for listening!

In our fifty-sixth episode, we discuss the Alberta budget, the incredible growth taking place downtown especially around the arena, Riverdale's new cafe Little Brick, the Galleria project's apparent demise, and the best streets in Edmonton.

We start with an interesting discussion about the buildings going up around town. Some of the new buildings going up will bring a splash of color to an otherwise beige array of structures. How do we feel about that? (hint: we love it). There's also some great public art with the Alex Janvier's selection for the winter garden and we share our thoughts on that too.

Then we get into the budget. Why was everyone so disappointed in the budget? What could Prentice have done differently? What does this mean for the election? Has the PC strategy backfired? The Galleria is not mentioned in the budget, so it looks like it won't receive any funding required to go forward. What does that mean for the project?

We both like Little Brick, but what is it that we like about it? What could other local business owners learn from them? Metro has listed Edmonton's best streets. Do we agree? What others should have been considered? We discuss those questions and more.

Here are some relevant links for this episode:

Is MacEwan's splash of lime green too much for Edmonton?
Alex Janvier Named as Signature Artist for Rogers Place Public Art
What does Alberta's Budget 2015 mean for Edmonton?
Little Brick
Downtown Edmonton Galleria project set for its likely curtain call
What's Edmonton's best street?

Thanks for listening!

In our fifty-fifth episode, we discuss Laurie Blakeman's interesting move to be the nominee for the Liberal, Green, and Alberta parties in Edmonton Centre, the CRTC's decision to unbundle TV channels, and an interesting article about the decline of Vancouver.

Is Blakeman's move a one-off or the start of something more in Alberta? Will it be worth it to pick individual TV channels? Will it matter with the way everything is transitioning to online? Why is it so expensive to live in Vancouver? What can we learn about their situation here in Edmonton? We discuss those questions and more.

Here are some relevant links for this episode:

Maverick MLA Laurie Blakeman accepts Liberal, Green and Alberta Party nominations
#abvote Hangout with Laurie Blakeman
CRTC promises pick-and-pay TV channels, slimmer basic bundle
Statement from Jean-Pierre Blais, Chairman and CEO of the CRTC, on maximizing choice and affordability for Canadians
The Decline of Vancouver

Thanks for listening!

In our fifty-fourth episode, we discuss the Red Bull Crashed Ice event, the loose business coalition calling itself Celebrate Edmonton, wetlands in Edmonton, the Community Energy Transition Strategy, and share a few quick thoughts on Whole Foods coming to town.

Was Crashed Ice a success? The party reminded us a little of the Grey Cup back in 2010. Was it a good investment? Will the event return to Edmonton in the future? A group of local businesses calling itself Celebrate Edmonton sponsored the VIP area of the event. What's that group all about? Haven't we seen this before? What's the deal with the changing wetland policy? The City is working on a Community Energy Transition Strategy that is supposed to make Edmonton more sustainable and environmentally friendly. Is such a strategy required? Will it be worth the cost? We discuss those questions and more.

Here are some relevant links for this episode:

Red Bull Crashed Ice
Red Bull Crashed Ice 2015, Edmonton report and video
Celebrate Edmonton out to buff and shine city's image
Impact of the Alberta Wetlands Policy on City Wetlands
Edmonton's Community Energy Transition Strategy

Thanks for listening!