The quality of the pedestrian realm in Downtown and The Quarters Downtown is highly variable. Some streets provide an interesting, safe, and attractive experience for pedestrians while others are uninviting and vehicle-oriented.

Since the 1980s, several streets in Downtown and The Quarters Downtown have undergone streetscape improvements that included widened sidewalks, high quality paving, enhanced lighting, and street furniture. However, the majority of streets in Downtown and The Quarters Downtown were constructed to the standard roadway guidelines of the time, which did not anticipate the level of pedestrian activity foreseen in the Capital City Downtown Plan. As a result, many streets within the Downtown and The Quarters Downtown do not provide a comfortable, barrier-free, attractive walking environment.

The following pages highlight a number of streetscapes within Downtown and The Quarters Downtown that have undergone improvements either recently or in the past, or are currently in planning and construction stages for redevelopment. The information identifies the many different styles and treatments present in the study area.

Interface with adjacent properties

Recognizing the value of an appealing street environment, many developers or property managers have made improvements to the pedestrian realm adjacent to their developments. These are often governed by a Municipal Improvement Agreement, which assigns responsibility for long-term maintenance and upkeep. These improvements are opportunities for harmonizing the street and the adjacent development, and are a cost effective way to improve the pedestrian realm for the City, however, they often do not coordinate with nearby streetscapes.

Unimproved Streetscapes

The majority of streets in Downtown and The Quarters feature a simple, utilitarian concrete sidewalk, typically with minimal street furniture, and roadway geometry that favors swift vehicle movement. Over time, many of these streets will be redeveloped through a number of different processes and catalysts.

Existing Conditions

DOWNTOWN STREETSCAPE TYPOLOGY & MANUAL

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1.0 INTRODUCTION

5.0 DESIGN RECOMMENDATIONS 6.0 STREETSCAPE CHARACTER AREAS

2.0 GOALS & GUIDING PRINCIPLES 3.0 STREET TYPOLOGY

4.0 STREET TYPES

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Year Built: Late 1980’s / 2013

Location: Downtown Edmonton’s Historic Main Street. 100 Street - 102 Street: Completed in 2015 as part of the Jasper Avenue New Vision Project. 97 Street - 100 Street, 102 Street - 109 Street: Completed in the 1980s.

Character Elements: 100 Street - 102 Street: Contemporary look and feel, high quality materials including custom granite furniture. 97 Street - 100 Street, 102 Street - 109 Street: 1980s Modern’ look and feel - red pavers, green painted metal street furniture.

JASPER AVENUE

1.0 INTRODUCTION

5.0 DESIGN RECOMMENDATIONS 6.0 STREETSCAPE CHARACTER AREAS

2.0 GOALS & GUIDING PRINCIPLES 3.0 STREET TYPOLOGY

4.0 STREET TYPES

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