Edmontonians will be able to stroll through Rice Howard Road Enjoy some live entertainment, games and even alcoholic beverages this summer.
The City of Edmonton worked with the Downtown Business Association to create a block-long street-level patio, forming the city’s first-ever entertainment district.
It’s part of a pilot project in partnership with the city and associations to entice people to spend more time in the city centre.
“Every downtown and every major urban centre in North America has been impacted by the pandemic, by working from home or by other changes that have happened to society,” Edmonton Mayor Amarjit Sohi said Saturday.
“We’re not seeing the same energy that we saw before COVID.”
City staff say the all-ages district is expected to enhance the vitality of downtown, increase foot traffic and boost business.
Until the end of August, a portion of Les Howard Road from 100th to 101st streets will be closed to vehicle traffic from 7 a.m. Saturday to 10 a.m. Sunday to allow pedestrians to walk freely through the neighborhood.
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100A Street remains open to vehicular traffic.
Food and alcoholic beverages from participating businesses, such as Rosewood Foods and Sherlock Holmes Pub, may be purchased and consumed within the zone.
They also plan to host live music, game and movie nights outdoors.
This year’s event kicks off with the Downtown Spark block party, and will feature a variety of local programming and entertainment each week, including performances and art installations.
Puneeta McBryan, executive director of the Downtown Business Association, said most summer events in the city have to put up beer tents, fence off areas or limit the number of liquor stands.
“We didn’t have to do any of those things,” she said.
“All the restaurants and bars on the street make their money on people coming here to drink. This is a total game changer. It's a completely different experience.”
The city said the cost of opening the area for summer will come from the Downtown Vitality Fund.
Looking ahead, the entertainment district is expected to help city staff shape what similar areas across the city will look like.
The City of Edmonton and the Edmonton Downtown Business Association say the pilot project is part of an ongoing effort to revitalize the downtown core.
Kabi Moulitharan/Global News
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