Capital Tower at 10028 106 Avenue is known as an area trouble spot. A low income apartment building, the EPS had to be on site sometimes up to four times a day. A murder took place there in January of this year.

However, thanks to the efforts of the building’s owners, management company, and McCauley Revitalization, things are changing at a rapid speed. Capital Tower is now under new management (as of March). Helm Property Management & Realty Ltd. hired 24/7 security and have removed over 50 tenants involved with gangs and drugs.

Now, many of the 175 units sit vacant and await renovation. Revitalization has informed management and owners of the Façade Program, grants, and other projects for which the building is eligible. The building’s owners, who live in Vancouver, even recently came to Edmonton to meet with Revitalization and management.

“We are renovating suites with a plan of 10-15 unites per month,” says Joel Helm of Helm Property Management. Helm hopes that most of the work will be completed within a one year period, and includes repainting the exterior and putting up new signage.

In addition, Helm says, “We are looking at painting the hallways, improving the lighting in the hallways, and upgrading the elevators.”

The EPS reports that since the implementation of 24 hour security, they have not had to be present at all. “This is a good outcome for the efforts being made by EPS, The REVIT (Know Your Neighbour program) and the City of Edmonton to make it a better place in the community,” says Jane Molstad, McCauley Revitalization Coordinator.