September 2020

To:  The Friends of Highlands:

This email is to let you know what we have been working on regarding the Highlands Neighborhood renewal since you completed our survey a couple of months ago.  Based on the outcome of that survey, it’s clear that many of you do not believe the consultation was either effective or representative of your views.

The survey respondents overwhelmingly agreed (95 %) that further consultation was required. An overwhelming majority of survey respondents that answered the question (100%) were opposed to the proposed extending and squaring off of the corners as proposed by the City in their design. Residents believe that this action will forever damage the unique and historical identity of the community.

The survey had 195 views and 116 responses for a 60% participation rate which is an excellent response rate and shows how important this issue is to the residents. There are a few themes in these survey results we want to point out. Specifically:

1. Everyone wants a safe and accessible neighborhood 
2. The iconic rounded corners in the area south of 112 Avenue are the most important part of the Highlands Community’s connection to its identity. 
3. There was a disconnect in the consultation process from what the residents told the City versus what they heard. The community wants to work with the City to address the current City design to reflect what is important to the community. 
4. Heritage and identity of a Community should not be damaged during the process of neighbourhood renewal. 
5. A one size fits all approach to neighborhood renewal does not work in all neighborhoods. 
6. The cost of changes versus the perceived benefits are not warranted at this time of fiscal austerity. 
7. An overwhelming majority of respondents do not want to see the narrowing of Ada Boulevard.  

The summarized survey results were used to support our community advocacy and input into developing an alternative design to ensure Ada Boulevard has a pedestrian priority first and, most importantly, looking for alternatives to squaring the rounded corners (cost savings and identity). The Friends of Highlands has retained professional planning and engineering support from B&A Planning Group and Bunt & Associates to help focus our vision and facilitate a healthy and productive dialogue with City Administration to present an alternative evidence-based approach. We are planning to present our alternative neighbourhood design for the area of 111 Avenue and Ada Boulevard to Councillor Caterina in the next few weeks prior to bringing it forward to City Administration for consideration.

We believe what we are asking is reasonable and supportable, and we only focused on certain aspects of the design that our Consulting team felt would give us the best opportunity to make a case for change. There is no guarantee that the City will consider any proposed changes at this stage but we would be remiss if we did not try. The primary areas of focus are the iconic corners from 64 to 56^th street on 111 Ave and Ada Boulevard, and Ada Boulevard from 67^th street to 50th street.  The added connector sidewalks and raised cross walks were not addressed as part of the scope of this project given the City's priority on accessibility in neighborhood renewals.  It was also recommended by our Consultant to keep the button at 60th street and 111 avenue as it will keep the rounded corners at this intersection.   As always, the devil is in the detail and the City indicated at our last meeting with them that during the detailed design phase prior to construction there would be an opportunity to further discuss the raised cross walks, parking impacts and landscape plan.  The City also indicated that impacted property owners will be met with individually prior to construction.

With this project, we are hoping to clearly communicate one succinct alternative approach for the City to consider that not only meets the City’s operational and safety needs but also assists in reducing the capital costs of this project in light of the current fiscal crisis while also retaining the most important aspects of the community’s identity – its grand rounded corners and broad tree-lined streets. Part of this alternative approach, while largely supporting the City’s existing concept plan, will include a request to not overly narrow Ada Boulevard and keep the iconic rounded corners. These rounded corners are an important part of the heritage and identity of the community.

The consultant is recommending that this alternate proposal be presented as one cohesive approach, so we will be bringing it forward as such. Although this alternative may not meet the individual desires of each homeowner, we have tried to arrive at a compromise which we hope the City will consider. It will be very helpful if we can show broad support for this alternate proposal.  Please remember that all members of your household who are of voting age are eligible to answer this survey.

As time is important, can you please click on the following link to review the alternative approach design proposal and answer the few questions at the end. It is very important for you to complete these questions and press the FINISH button no later than Monday, Sept 28, 2020 since we have to take this to the City as soon as possible. If you have trouble accessing the link please let us know.  We also realize some of the fonts used on the presentation may be difficult to read so please remember you can use your zoom function on your browser if needed. Thank you and please click on the following link below:

https://surveyhero.com/c/834ad783

August 2021:To curve or not to curve...is the straight and narrow better?

 Since beginning this website in the early nineties the standard has always been, the facts, just the facts. This particular issue is not so straight forward but the writer will try to avoid stirring the pot. He admits too a bias but hopes it won’t show.

 The city sanctioned major changes and upgrades in the area known as Highlands or The Highlands. These changes affected everyone, both business people and home occupiers, in that designated area. Some faced more changes than others, some reacted positively to the changes, others not so much.

 For the most part, changes did not result in major changes to the existing pattern of either roadways or sidewalks.

 It was somewhat different for portions Ada Boulevard and 111 Avenue.

 To better understand the issue, it is necessary to define or redefine this matter of the subdivision called Highlands. While, in fact, it stretches from the south side of 118 Avenue to the north side of the North Saskatchewan River, from the west side of 50 Street to the east side of 67 Street, some have ‘drawn their own boundaries’....The original Highlands went from 55th street to the east to the alley between 65th and 64th streets and from Ada Blvd to 118th avenue.  Bellevue addition was to the west and Mount Royal was to the east.  The Historic Streets-cape on 111th avenue and Ada between 64th to 55th was designed as a wide boulevard and curved streets-cape that added interest and beauty to the neighbourhood that was being developed back in 1912.

 The rest of the area subdivided again, into two or three sections, mentally.

 The original Highlands had firm guidelines about the type of house that could be built. It was assumed that the occupants would be, to use an old term, upper class. The cream of the crop as it were. And so Highlands, of varying imaginary subdivisions lived on. With some residents, living in the imagined Highlands, unaware changes were in the offing...a gradual change, imperceptible until....

 As was inevitable demographics changed, old people died or moved, younger people moved in, more children appeared on the scene. Younger people built on the few vacant lots available, did massive renovations to their homes, probably in styles foreign to the area. And worst of all, perhaps did not look on the Highland through the same eyes as the older generation did.

 The Highlands group under the banner of the of the Highlands Alliance presented much information, professionally prepared, to support their views that changes were not necessary.…members of the group were not just from south of 112 avenue but from the wider community.

 It seemed appropriate to include the ‘official’ side of the area at this point.

 August 18,2021.Response from Richard Hai, Project Engineer.

 Good Evening John and Thank you for your patience in my reply. I have added answers to your questions below. Thank you.

• When did the Highlands Project begin

  • Highlands is a 3 year renewal program which began in 2019

• When will it be finished.

  • Highlands final year of construction will be end of construction season of this year 2021

• When did the area of Ada Boulevard and 111 Avenue and more specifically the area affected by the changing of the curb alignment come into play.

  • Within the 9 public engagement sessions in 2018. You will find a copy of the display boards and the "What We Heard Report" identifying the curb alignments which were presented during the public engagement by the planners in September 2018 in the November 2018 Project Update section of the City of Edmonton Website (edmonton.ca/buildinghighlands).

  • Link to the display boards: September 2018 Display Boards (starting on Page 20)

  • Link to the What We Heard Report: What We Heard Report 

• Can you give me an overview of the discussions, decisions and timelines regarding the new curb alignment

  • From the "What We Heard" Report from September 2018 and subsequent public engagement sessions leading up to the "What We Decided" Report issued June 2019 identifying the concerns, considerations, and design approach for each intersection.

  • Link to the What We Decided Report: What We Decided Report

• Was there one particular issue that resulted in the changes to the curb alignment.

  • There are a combination of factors resulting in the changes to curb alignments, if specifically you are referring to the change to the intersection curb radii. Besides traffic calming measures, other considerations include reducing crossing distances for pedestrians and increasing visibility in combination with other design features such as curb extensions and raised crosswalks.

• If the issue was safety, how many accidents have occurred on 111 Avenue and ADA Boulevard that raised this concern.

  • Although actual accidents could be few, complaints of near misses, speeding, traffic cutting through on 111ave when 112ave traffic is congested, along with updated current design and construction standards to improve overall safety and accommodate persons with reduced mobility all play a part in the design that has occurred.

  • For additional public engagement information and updated project information, please visit edmonton.ca/buildinghighlands

 This information seems quite helpful and it does perhaps, highlight the old versus the new...

It gives information as to why the changes took place in spite of heartfelt opposition from the Highlands ‘establishment’. It is perhaps logical that all major changes took place because a. The opportunity presented itself and b. Highlands needed to be upgraded to meet modern designs. It suggests that Highlands will get busier, and that safety is a major concern.

Unfortunately, those of a different generation did not see the need for the changes...that the changes failed to recognize the historical aspect of the neighbourhood... as of August 2021

feelings still run high in the ‘not for change’ group.

Unfortunately, that’s progress, or it it?