Residents of the Dunluce neighbourhood in Edmonton are calling for their neighbourhood renewal plan to be scaled back, citing concerns about the cost and necessity of the proposed upgrades. The multi-million dollar plan includes improvements such as widened sidewalks, more bike lanes, and traffic calming measures. Some residents feel that the upgrades are unnecessary for their low-density area and that the city should focus on basic maintenance instead of costly upgrades that may not be utilized by residents.
The draft design for the neighbourhood renewal is based on several city policies and standards, including the Complete Streets Design and Construction Standards, Safe Mobility Strategy, and Winter City Strategy. Other policies, such as the Active Transportation Policy and Climate Resilient Edmonton policy, guide decisions around neighbourhood renewal designs. Despite concerns raised by residents, city council has continued to support the implementation of these policies, resulting in costly upgrades that some residents feel are unnecessary and wasteful.
Parking in the Dunluce neighbourhood is also set to be affected by the changes, with some areas losing street parking that is currently utilized by residents, particularly those living in condos and townhouses. Residents have expressed concerns about the impact on parking availability for families living in multi-family dwellings. Despite these concerns, city planners are proceeding with the final design for the area’s upgrades, with completion expected later this year or in early 2025.
City councillor Erin Rutherford has defended the neighbourhood renewal plan, stating that the infrastructure in the Dunluce area needs to be upgraded to meet modern standards for sidewalks, lighting, and traffic safety. Rutherford emphasizes the importance of public engagement in informing these changes, as well as the need to follow city policies and guidelines around neighbourhood renewal projects. City administration has also justified the upgrades as a way to create a more connected neighbourhood with improved opportunities for walking, biking, and rolling in the area.
While city officials argue that wider sidewalks and other upgrades are necessary to create a more comfortable and safe environment for residents to move around their neighbourhood, some residents remain unconvinced of the need for these changes. With concerns about steep tax increases and the cost of unnecessary upgrades, residents like Janina Syrnyk are calling for a more common-sense approach to neighbourhood renewal that prioritizes basic maintenance over costly upgrades. Despite disagreements with city officials, residents are determined to continue advocating for their concerns and ensuring that their voices are heard in the decision-making process.
Overall, residents in the Dunluce neighbourhood are questioning the necessity and cost of proposed upgrades in their neighbourhood renewal plan. While city officials cite the need to follow city policies and guidelines for neighbourhood renewal projects, residents feel that a one-size-fits-all approach does not make sense, especially in light of tax increases and concerns about wasteful spending. Moving forward, residents are committed to advocating for more reasonable and cost-effective solutions that prioritize basic maintenance and address the needs of the community.
