Our community league and our facility welcome our new Program Animator/Administrator Maria Snip. She comes to us with a wealth of experience and also a great passion for our community. Maria is sending out a newsletter to all members to keep you updated on all our fabulous programs and events. The membership year ended on August 31, so if you have not renewed your membership make sure you do so you can take part in all our wonderful programs and also be involved in your community. Make sure to check out our list of programs here in Boyle McCauley News or on our web page.

The new Hyatt Hotel on Jasper Avenue and 96 Street has now visibly taken shape. The windows have been installed and we can get a real sense of what its final form will be – quite a unique building and very different from many that we have in our community. Along with the new hotel taking shape is the beautification of 96 Street between Jasper Avenue and 103A Avenue – “The Armature” for the Quarters development. The street has a new paved stone surface instead of asphalt, new streetlights, and artwork installations which will see the street turned into a pedestrian-friendly open space and park.

There is always a struggle when an area goes through redevelopment, there are many things to consider and it depends on “which side of the street” you live on.

These are not the only big changes going on in the community. Here is a quick list of projects.

Valley View: A 16-storey condo beside St. Barbara’s Russian Orthodox Cathedral on the southeast corner of Jasper Avenue and 96 Street (first major project approved for the Quarters Development but currently on hold).
Artists Quarters: Artists will be able to live and work in 64 studios in this building on the northwest corner of 102A Avenue and 96 Street, which will also feature other housing, performance studios, and offices for arts groups (in planning).
Ukrainian Canadian Archives and Museums of Alberta: The historic Lodge Hotel and Brighton Block on Jasper Avenue between 97 Street and 96 Street will be turned into archives and a museum (under construction).
The Corners: A 28-storey residential tower on the northeast corner of 95 Street and Jasper Avenue will have about 285 units (under construction).
Edgewater: Phase I & II at Edgewater consist of two four-storey walk up buildings, featuring a total of 276 rental suites (completed). Phase III is a 26-storey tower and Phase IV will be a 30-storey tower (under construction).
Muttart Lands: Muttart Lands is a nine-acre site located at 109 Avenue and 84 Street. A variety of housing types with retail and commercial space (under proposal).

On the other side of the coin is the rapid loss of buildings and history in Boyle Street. Recently, Boyle Street was about to lose the Mitchell and Reed Auction House (The Artery) and the Graphic Arts Building on Jasper Avenue near 95 Street. They are apparently on the City of Edmonton’s Heritage inventory and the City had purchased them to use as “lay down” space for the new LRT line, so it is a conundrum that buildings on the City’s Heritage list were slated for demolition. Luckily, there were a group of concerned citizens, and with some support from City Councillor Scott McKeen, the buildings have been given a reprieve. What the future holds for these buildings is still not clear but they were at least saved from the wrecking ball.

There is always a struggle when an area goes through redevelopment. There are many things to consider, and it depends on “which side of the street” you live on. As community members, we need to be actively involved in the direction our community will take. If not, the decisions are left up to the developers and the City committees/services that consult, plan, and develop our communities.

The Boyle Street Community League board spent a Saturday in October doing board development training. One of the objectives we wanted to focus on and develop more is our civic engagement. If you are someone who would like to get involved, our board is looking for volunteers to be part of our civics committee.

Are you a community advocate? The League values your input and knowledge. To learn more about the Boyle Street Community League contact us at (780) 422-5857 or email the League at info@boylestreetcl.com or email me at karenbscl@gmail.com. Make sure to add our web page and Facebook page to your favourites for quick and easy reference to all our great programs and upcoming events! We look forward to seeing (and hearing from) you!
www.boylestreetcl.com
fb.com/BoyleStreetCommunityLeague

Karen is the BSCL’s Secretary.