[TAS]

It sounds like everyone is in agreement that the CRL is a good thing and should be extended by 10 years, including city council and Janz. The disagreement, which is understandable, is about what kind of projects should be funded.

Calgary was happy to take provincial money because the funds were going towards a project they were 100% committed to building with the Flames, similar to our arena (but without the $330 million from the province). Calgary desperately needed a new arena so the provincial money was a nice BIG bonus. Would YYC have built the arena with the Flames without provincial money? Absolutely.

But now, in Edmonton's case, this event centre was never a project on the city's must-do list or even its radar. It wasn't even a budget discussion in the 2023-26 budget deliberations.

However, this provincial money is specifically tied to OEG's event centre, which isn't a great position the city has been put in. I mean if it's a 'no' to the event centre, is the province not going to fund Coliseum demo and other things? Is it event centre (which the city must then come up with money for) or bust? I think council is committed to funding a lot of important downtown projects including the unexpected $30 million to Winspear (for its cost overruns) as well as several things on the downtown plan priority list. But this privately owned event centre was not a priority. As Punetta McBryan stated - this is the hand the city has been dealt.

In the end, I would vote yes to it.

 

[Gronk!]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1937496076514144729

 

[inclusion]

Likely going to be a close vote. Excited to listen to the conversation and see where Council lands.

 

[MacLac]

Better NOT be a close vote! It had better be 100% in favour of and/or the “Yay’s.”

 

[Gronk!]

I'm 100% certain that Janz will vote against it, being the anti-business, unionist, hardcore socialist NDP supporter that he is.

If anyone on City Council votes against it, there is the municipal election in a few months if you want to send them a message.

 

[jason403]

This should 100% not be approved. It borderline on corruption in plain sight.

 

[MacLac]

And give away free "Danni bucks?" We gotta take what we can get from her.......

 

[Barnaby]

Will city council kill their second transformative project for the core in 5 years?

The gondola, now this?

 

[BASE]

Like any deal, project, or initiative there are plenty of valid discussions around priorities, support, and value. I believe the city admin would have shown some support as this being a priority for the city or at least one of them.

Would be sad to see council deny this to own the UCP.

 

[archited]

Will city council kill their second transformative project for the core in 5 years?

Yes -- this council has got to go. We got a taste of the Mayor's popularity during the recent Federal election.

 

[TAS]

Like any deal, project, or initiative there are plenty of valid discussions around priorities, support, and value. I believe the city admin would have shown some support as this being a priority for the city or at least one of them.

Would be sad to see council deny this to own the UCP.

I don't believe any council opposition to funding event centre over other downtown projects is about owning UCP.

Certainly viewpoints come down to some ideology but don't think it's about owning UCP. Janz wants the provincial money - just wants to use for different priorities that would also benefit dt.

 

[thommyjo]

So will the village start before the connect centre tower is finished?? Scratching my head at why that hasn’t been built and yet we’re being asked for more handouts to catalyze other spaces. Finish phase 1 people.

 

[TAS]

So will the village start before the connect centre tower is finished?? Scratching my head at why that hasn’t been built and yet we’re being asked for more handouts to catalyze other spaces. Finish phase 1 people.

And OEG did have city money to build that tower you speak off and opted for maybe something more lucrative for OEG but maybe not in best interest of city. We do not need another office tower in connect centre with vacancy rates we have plus 101st site still needs to be built.

I think many people didn't think it was bad that WCB tower didn't happen and they moved into Manulife.

I wish OEG had stuck with plan for residential tower there a few years back.

 

[Edmcowboy11]

Residential tower would have been nice. Event center will help continue draw more people to the core.

If money could go to fast track of LRT to St.Albert I'd vote for that, otherwise build the event center.

 

[MacLac]

And OEG did have city money to build that tower you speak off and opted for maybe something more lucrative for OEG but maybe not in best interest of city. We do not need another office tower in connect centre with vacancy rates we have plus 101st site still needs to be built.

I think many people didn't think it was bad that WCB tower didn't happen and they moved into Manulife.

I wish OEG had stuck with plan for residential tower there a few years back.

A residential is lilkely back on the table...as per Danni - they have to build 3 towers by 2029 to meet their commitments to housing - the Connect centre is likely 1 of the 3 towers.