I took a walk through there the other day. This neighborhood is another Old Strathcona in the making with some cool furniture stores, boutiques, record shops, and some restaurants (in fact several businesses have migrated from Whyte to 124). However, it still seems barren, devoid of life and not very pedestrian-friendly for the most part. I talked about High Street early on, but I think it warrants its own thread.
What needs to be addressed:
- restaurants, bars and coffee shops with outdoor patios. I can't think of anything better to encourage pedestrian traffic.
- speaking of bars and coffee shops, where are they? I'm sure nobody would object to a Starbucks or another Second Cup (other than the one at 102 Ave) - like them or not, they do attract people. And while I'm not advocating another Electric Avenue, a couple of nightclubs wouldn't hurt.
- parking, or lack of.
- when the museum is redeveloped, it should integrate its proximity within the area a bit more because they are targeting it to be a major provincial attraction. Right now it seems too hidden away.
- more trees for the strip around 107 Ave.
- live theatre and other entertainment venues.
- residential access isn't a concern, although a satellite post-secondary education institution wouldn't hurt. Nor would artists' lofts.
Bookmarks