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The_Cat said:
edmontonjournal.com

'Out of the basement and into the streets': Edmonton's only gay bar moving to Jasper Avenue

Evolution Wonderlounge has served Edmonton's 2SLGBTQIA+ community for a dozen years, but will now move to Jasper Aveue
edmontonjournal.com edmontonjournal.com
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They've certainly had their share of public abuse and vandalism.

“Pre-pandemic, the world was a very, very different place,” said Browatzke.

“We never had any issues with playoff games and drunk hockey fans being homophobic to the customers outside, and now it’s basically all the time. We never had any problems with the space being vandalized or broken into. And now that happens all the time. The amount of vandalism we’ve had to deal with in the last five years is ridiculous. We’ve replaced the front door like 10 times now.”
 
Thought this was interesting. Salt lake is about 1.3 million people, so pretty comparable to us. Different opportunities with the mountains so close, more Calgary vibes there. But some learnings for us for sure.

 
TAS said:
They've certainly had their share of public abuse and vandalism.

“Pre-pandemic, the world was a very, very different place,” said Browatzke.

“We never had any issues with playoff games and drunk hockey fans being homophobic to the customers outside, and now it’s basically all the time. We never had any problems with the space being vandalized or broken into. And now that happens all the time. The amount of vandalism we’ve had to deal with in the last five years is ridiculous. We’ve replaced the front door like 10 times now.”
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I feel some of this relates to increased anti social behavior and social disorder, both in the area and throughout the downtown core.

Sadly, there is also a lack of enforcement presence by the Edmonton police. Either they have given up or don't care, maybe both. Community policing died in Edmonton several years ago.
 
^ Among many issues, the consolidation of neighbourhood police stations into the quadrant-based police fortresses was a major step backward for community policing. I understand it was done primarily as a cost saving measure, but ironically a number of the previous stations are still owned/leased by EPS, they are just simply not publicly accessible.

Worse yet, it's against everything we should be striving toward in terms of building accessible, non-car dominated communities.
 
northlands said:
^ Among many issues, the consolidation of neighbourhood police stations into the quadrant-based police fortresses was a major step backward for community policing. I understand it was done primarily as a cost saving measure, but ironically a number of the previous stations are still owned/leased by EPS, they are just simply not publicly accessible.

Worse yet, it's against everything we should be striving toward in terms of building accessible, non-car dominated communities.
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It is really a false economy or saving and whoever made these decisions should be fired. The increased problems cost society more.
 
edmonton.taproot.news

Downtown leader wants more funds for Hiregood

As city administration prepares a Downtown Action Plan, Puneeta McBryan, the executive director of the Edmonton Downtown Business Association, says the Downtown Core Patrol service that her organization contracts to Hiregood, a company that employs people with lived experience with being...
edmonton.taproot.news edmonton.taproot.news
 
EPark transitions to mobile-only payment system

This spring and summer, the City will make several adjustments to the EPark program.

Starting April 14, the City will begin removing all physical EPark machines, transitioning to a mobile-only parking payment system. Residents will have several alternative options to pay for parking, including through the HotSpot Parking app, online and over the phone.
 
policyenthusiast said:
EPark transitions to mobile-only payment system

This spring and summer, the City will make several adjustments to the EPark program.

Starting April 14, the City will begin removing all physical EPark machines, transitioning to a mobile-only parking payment system. Residents will have several alternative options to pay for parking, including through the HotSpot Parking app, online and over the phone.
Click to expand...
And if you don't have a credit card? I know a number of recent refugees who have a car (basically a requirement for employment) but are getting by with a flip phone and no credit card. Phone based systems are also notoriously difficult for non-English speakers. This makes the city centre inaccessible to them, where many supports are. Typical suburban thinking from our St. Albert planners.
 
policyenthusiast said:
EPark transitions to mobile-only payment system

This spring and summer, the City will make several adjustments to the EPark program.

Starting April 14, the City will begin removing all physical EPark machines, transitioning to a mobile-only parking payment system. Residents will have several alternative options to pay for parking, including through the HotSpot Parking app, online and over the phone.
Click to expand...
EPark transitions to mobile-only payment system
March 28, 2025

This spring and summer, the City will make several adjustments to the EPark program.

Starting April 14, the City will begin removing all physical EPark machines, transitioning to a mobile-only parking payment system. Residents will have several alternative options to pay for parking, including through the HotSpot Parking app, online and over the phone.

The existing machines require upgrades to allow for chip and pin payment methods. In order to upgrade the technology, all existing EPark machines would need to be replaced. This would result in $2.8 million in capital costs, as well as ongoing additional operating expenses. As a result, to minimize the 2025 tax increase and to focus efforts on core services, Edmonton City Council approved a decision to remove EPark machines and switch to a mobile-only payment system.

“We recognize removing the EPark machines represents a significant change for some customers. The City will support Edmontonians in adopting alternative, convenient options to pay for parking. We’re doing so by installing signs with information on how to pay for EPark, taking a phased approach to machine removal, and providing 24/7 customer support via HotSpot,” said Jenny Albers, General Supervisor, Planning and Permitting.

In addition, starting July 1, the City will remove the two-hour parking limits from on-street EPark zones during evenings and weekends. This change is based on an EPark program review, public feedback and data.

“By reducing the use of two-hour on-street parking limits, we will provide parkers with additional flexibility and support businesses near EPark zones,” said Albers. “We heard that two hours may not be enough time to, for example, grab dinner and catch a show. Eliminating these limits in the evenings and on weekends better enables visitors to explore all Edmonton has to offer.”

Timelines and parking limits
Between March 31 and April 14 decals will be placed on all machines to help inform customers of the changes. In addition, prior to machine removal, new signage will be posted in EPark zones to inform customers about other parking payment options.

To support Edmontonians through this transition, machine removal will start in zones where they are used the least, followed by busier areas.
  • Between April 14 and May 31 machines will be removed in the Business Improvement Areas (BIAs) of North Edge, Alberta Avenue, Kingsway, Stony Plain, 124 Street and Old Strathcona.
  • Between May 15 and July 31 machines will be removed from the Downtown area. The Event Region (zones closest to Rogers Place) will be removed second from last, and the final removals will happen in downtown parkades (City Hall parkade, Stanley A. Milner parkade and Canada Place parkade).
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Starting July 1, the two-hour parking limit will be removed in all on-street EPark zones on weekdays from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. and weekends from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. (Saturdays) and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (Sundays). This will allow customers to park for longer duration, while supporting the businesses in the area.

Payment methods
Once the EPark machines are removed, customers have the following options to pay for parking:
  • QR code - Scan the QR code on signs posted in on-street EPark zones and parkades. The zone number is required and can be found on on-street signs, or by using the EPark Zone map at edmonton.ca/ParkingRates. A HotSpot account is not required.
  • HotSpot Parking app - Download the HotSpot Parking app and create an account. The app can be used remotely and one account can manage parking for multiple license plates. It also allows users to find available EPark zones.
  • Online - Visit htsp.ca/ed to pay for parking online. The zone number is required and can be found on on-street signs, or by using the EPark Zone map on edmonton.ca/ParkingRates. A HotSpot account is not required.
  • Pay by phone - Customers with an existing HotSpot account can call customer support at 1-855-712-5888 to have an agent set up payment on their behalf. Callers must have an account with credit card information on file as agents cannot accept payment over the phone.

24/7 customer support
HotSpot Parking provides 24/7 support and customers having challenges paying for parking can contact the following:
For more information:
edmonton.ca/epark

Media contact:
Derek Logan
Communications Advisor
City Operations
 
policyenthusiast said:
EPark transitions to mobile-only payment system

This spring and summer, the City will make several adjustments to the EPark program.

Starting April 14, the City will begin removing all physical EPark machines, transitioning to a mobile-only parking payment system. Residents will have several alternative options to pay for parking, including through the HotSpot Parking app, online and over the phone.
Click to expand...
Pretty standard elsewhere too. I can't recall the last time I saw a parking kiosk that took cash.
 
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