ATTACHMENT 2

COMMUNITY ACTION PLANNING GROUP RECOMMENDATIONS

THE QUARTERS DOWNTOWN— Edmonton, Alberta —

by Deborah Lawson, Word Circus, Inc.

As a critical component of the City of Edmonton Redevelopment Plan, the Community Action Planning Group has been authorized and sanctioned by the Mayor and City Council as a fundamental component of the revitalization plan. It was struck to engage in a process of seeking clarification, soliciting community input and commentary and providing direction regarding the revitalization of The Quarters.

Consultation with current residents of The Quarters is a critical component in achieving a comprehensive revitalization vision. The presented recommendations are a result of community consultation and the deliberations of the committee.

According to the 2005 municipal census, approximately 2,400 residents live in the area. Although specific numbers are not available for The Quarters from the 2008 census, population in the Boyle Street area as a whole has remained stable between 2005 and 2008. The people who will be directly impacted by revitalization of The Quarters include: a residential population that considers The Quarters to be their community those who consider the district their home but don’t currently reside there (including those

who access services there) future residents who will contribute to the community’s diversity

Community Action Planning Group committee members include representatives from a broad spectrum of human services agencies, affordable housing providers, developers and funding partners. The committee’s role and philosophy, its mandate, and its values, beliefs and guiding principles are attached as Appendix B.

Resident Engagement

Resident consultation comprised three components: story telling, small group engagement and “walkabout” interviews.

Developed by consultant Ingrid Crowther, the story telling process empowers people to express themselves in a manner comfortable to them; information is gathered not in response to specific questions but rather by following a story line (for example, an individual’s daily routine).

As an approach, story telling had value in The Quarters explorations because: the documenting of current residents’ views was a respectful and inclusive process

2

it allowed facilitators to capture the thinking, experience and perspectives of those for whom The Quarters is “home”

as significant stakeholders, residents offered unique points of view, relevant comments and specific suggestions

The 68 people who participated in the story telling process represented a wide range of ages, socio-economic levels and length of time living in The Quarters. Residents felt secure in giving their responses, which generated honest and specific feedback. From the comments they made during the story telling process, facilitators were able to ascertain the kind of community the residents desire, their concerns and their recommendations.

The full report, Summary on Story Gathering, Downtown East Community Consultations, is attached as Appendix C.

In addition to story telling, informal interviews were conducted. Two groups of new Canadians were interviewed. Conversations were held with immigrants of Asian and African origin. Committee members also did numerous “walkabout” interviews in which they engaged with people on the street, in shops and on their porches. This latter activity, in particular, drew forth comments from many long-term residents—including some who were the third generation living in The Quarters—who had a good grasp of the area’s history, and who had experienced a sense of loss as past “development” had changed the community in ways that were not seen as positive (for example, in the disappearance of independent, local shops and services). Overall, in spite of some concerns about crime, lack of safety and public disorder, they retained a strong sense of pride in The Quarters.

The committee also encountered several people who had moved away from the area, but who noted that they return regularly, and still think if it as “home.”

Residents’ hopes

A strong sense of community exists within The Quarters. Residents asserted that redevelopment must lead to opportunities for people to engage with one another, enhancing community vibrancy and connectedness. They expressed a concern that some people might be adversely affected by revitalization. Their community of choice includes:

retention of the “flavour” of the community, including cultivation of the “living memory” of its former vitality

activities that promote diversity and inclusivity design that lends itself to human interaction an environment that will attract shoppers, visitors or families with young children to the

community places to meet for community activities such as playing games, chess or cards, or just for

conversation affordable restaurants and coffee shops access to educational opportunities such as courses in budget management, child rearing,

upgrading or crafts

3

accessibility of services such as affordable transportation, community and second-hand stores, some larger (grocery or hardware) stores and churches

a clean, safe environment with adequate policing and well-lit walkways recreational opportunities, including accessible sports facilities, playgrounds, parks and

bike paths development of Chinatown to attract visitors increased support services, such as counseling, for the needy

Residents’ recommendations

A number of specific recommendations arose from the interviews. The key residents’ recommendations were that any revitalization should include or develop:

1. A community that is representative of the diverse cultures and ages of residents.2. A neighbourhood that includes both residential and commercial properties.3. Affordable, accessible transportation.4. Community centres to accommodate recreational sports, meeting venues and increased

opportunities for education.5. Affordable housing, including low rentals.6. Additional support services.7. Parks and playgrounds as meeting places for recreation and socialization.8. Improved safety through increased lighting of streets and walkways, and through

increased police patrols.

COMMUNITY ACTION PLANNING GROUP RECOMMENDATIONS

CAPG members have identified that in order to honour the population it represents, the redevelopment of The Quarters must create “neighbourhood” as represented by a vibrant mix of socio-economic, income, generational and cultural groups. It must intentionally encourage cultural diversity and inclusive planning, incorporate a variety of innovative housing models and encourage a mix of rental accommodation and owned homes. Recreation spaces, green spaces and affordable environmental improvements must be thoughtfully distributed throughout the community. Revitalization must include an efficient, affordable transportation network and must implement drastically reduced parking requirements for affordable housing. It must guarantee quality, low-cost housing based on current and anticipated expansion, ensure accessibility of affordable daily living services and include provision for health care facilities and other community services as the area develops.

Specific recommendations of the Community Action Planning Group follow.

RECOMMENDATIONS: Housing

1. A significant percentage of public investment in The Quarters should be used to acquire properties that will accommodate a diverse range of non-market housing.

4

2. Throughout The Quarters’ revitalization process, innovative housing models should be encouraged that involve the Third Sector (for example, non-profits, co-operatives, small investors and individual home builders).

3. Planning in The Quarters should strategically invest in social infrastructure (such as affordable housing) in lock step with municipal investments being made in infrastructure (such as parks, utilities and urban amenities).

4. A City-sponsored transition program should be developed to mitigate any displacement of current residents that results from redevelopment. A financing strategy should be developed to ensure availability of resources and housing inventory. Transition plans should be in place before existing housing is closed or removed.

5. Twenty per cent of all new housing should be affordable housing. One-third of this 20 per cent should be allocated for deep subsidized housing.

RECOMMENDATIONS: Hard Infrastructure

1. The Quarters Plan should recognize and celebrate Edmonton as a winter city. Streets, pocket parks, urban amenities, community developments, community gardens and recreation spaces should be designed for all-season, active use.

2. The Quarters Plan should incorporate planning principles that promote and encourage pedestrian mobility, transit use, cycling and generally less reliance on cars. Urban design features and amenities should place a priority on these principles.

3. Excessive green space is currently planned for the northerly two blocks of the Armature. While 96 Street could be narrowed, the 50 units of social housing should not be removed, and the balance of the lands should be redeveloped with mixed income housing.

4. Streets and lanes should not be closed to vehicle traffic.

RECOMMENDATIONS: Social Infrastructure

1. Encourage smaller, street-oriented commercial and business storefront developments.

2. Encourage the development of services and organizations that support health and wellness.

3. Ensure the involvement of the Third Sector as a key player in the investment of social infrastructure.

4. The City should purchase land and property for future community development use.

5

5. A variety of neighbourhood recreation areas should be planned and developed.

RECOMMENDATIONS: Environmental Standards

A wide range of incentives should be made available to encourage the application of design and building standards that support sustainable development.

APPENDICES

Appendix A: June 2006 letter from Michael Farris (E4C) to Mayor Mandel and EdmontonCity Council

Appendix B: Backgrounder: The Quarters and the Community Action Planning Group

Appendix C: Summary on Story Gathering, Downtown East Community Consultations(Ingrid Crowther, consultant) and Draft Plan Developed for Downtown East

Community Consultations, dated Feb. 28, 2007

Appendix D: Draft Map - Non Market Housing in The Quarters

Appendix E: Draft – Map Market Housing - Number of Units

Appendix A2006 letter from Michael Farris (E4C) to Mayor Mandel and Edmonton City CouncilAppendix A2008PDG012_AppendixA.pdf

APPENDIX BTHE QUARTERS DOWNTOWN

— Edmonton, Alberta —

Backgrounder:The Quarters and the Community Action Planning Group

by Deborah LawsonWord Circus, Inc.

A Brief Introduction to The Quarters

The Quarters is one of the original residential areas of Edmonton. Located on the eastern edge of downtown Edmonton, it consists of five unique districts—the Civic, Heritage, McCauley and Five Corners districts and the Armature. As a whole, The Quarters focuses on residential mixed-use development (containing businesses, offices and parks), while promoting an emphasis on pedestrian activity.

In the decade and a half before the City of Edmonton began its current downtown revitalization initiative, several attempts were made to rejuvenate The Quarters. In the early 90s it was the Old Town Market, a plan to create a public market between 96 and 97 Streets on the north side of Jasper Avenue. The Boyle Street McCauley Area Redevelopment Plan, built on a 1981 plan, was adopted in 1994. After that, there was the Jasper East Village Project, which officially concluded in December 2002.

Community Action Planning Group: Role and Philosophy

The role of the CAPG, as an integral part of the redevelopment process of The Quarters, is to deliver recommendations for City Council’s consideration.

The committee’s philosophy is that in order to appropriately represent The Quarters in the redevelopment process, it must:

offer recommendations for a community action plan based on the values, beliefs and guiding principles that accurately represent the moral and ethical priorities of residents

identify processes by which future development can be achieved in integration with those principles

CAPG Mandate

The mandate of the CAPG is three-fold:1. To consider the impact of area redevelopment on current residents from a broad spectrum

(via a cooperative approach between multiple organizations, including the City), thus ensuring that current residents experience any form of transition as a planned, positive initiative.

2

2. To encourage a redevelopment model that integrates commercial and intensive land usage with a variety of housing options (including a range of affordable housing), resulting in “neighbourhoods” where residents can interact with one another, shop and enjoy local amenities.

3. To plan for the incorporation of ready access to attractive public areas and enhanced access to the river valley—focusing on walkways, public transit and other considerations that create “human” spaces.

CAPG Values, Beliefs and Guiding Principles

The following foundational principles were referenced in developing possible solutions to the challenges inherent in the revitalization of The Quarters. They have influenced all CAPG activities, considerations and recommendations.

We value dignity, justice and respect for all people. We believe safe, affordable, appropriate housing is a fundamental right. We believe people have the right to choose where they live. We believe integrity and honesty in an open, transparent process result in insightful and

balanced perspectives. We believe community planning and development is measured by the treatment of the

least powerful and wealthy, therefore it should engage all those likely to be affected. We believe development in The Quarters should have a minimal environmental footprint. We believe residents should be meaningfully involved in the planning that affects their

lives. We believe policies, procedures and programs must take into account and support the

interests of all shareholders.

APPENDIX C

Summary on Story Gathering, Downtown East Community Consultations(Ingrid Crowther, consultant)

September 12, 2007 Draft Plan Developed for Downtown East Community Consultations

What we heard!

You want:

To stay in this community A safe peaceful community Beautiful places to visit like parks gardens and trees Places to just sit and talk Places to take kids to play in like playgrounds A place for all people like kids, seniors, singles, and families To have things to do like play cards or chess or go to the library Play sports such as swimming, riding bikes, walking, soccer, hockey Churches and chapel services To have good bus service to get to cheap places like Wal-Mart To afford to live here Places like Salvation Army, Mustard Seed and Food Banks to stay Help people with problems like drugs and mental problems Go shopping in the community Meeting places were more people can get together Get together to talk about how to help those who need help like shoveling snow for the

senior Buildings to be looked after Patrolled by police for safety Get rid of prostitutes and drug dealers Nice homes not a lot of high rises

Introduction

This project was initiated to give voice to the individuals living in this community about the future of their community. The methodology that was used was gathering information through story telling. Storytelling is a technique that involves empowerment of individuals to express themselves in a manner most comfortable. It differs from an interview in that the information gathered is not in response to specific questions, but rather follows a story line. A typical story might be an expression of a daily life of an individual. This information was then analyzed to glean relevant information about the community.

2

Background of Process

The individuals who gathered the information were well known to the people in the neighbourhood. An initial training session was offered to become familiar with story telling methodology. Additional information was also gathered through an interview approach. Number Responses – 68

Characteristics of Respondents

Not all individuals gave information in this category. However, the information gathered was representative of the various groups of individuals living in the area. Of those that did

- 23 individuals were employed- 4 individuals admitted to having a substance abuse problem - 3 individuals were on social assistance- 2 individuals were retired- I individual referred to himself as handicapped

Number of Years Living in the Community

From the responses this varied form 12 to 30 years, with an average of about 20 years.

Findings

1. Concerns

The three major concerns for the individuals in the community seem to relate to safety both to personal and property safety, lack of affordable housing, and to the cleanliness of the environment. There are a number of responses that indicate that individuals do not feel safe to walk or shop in their neighbourhoods. Violation against property included broken windows, graffiti on walls, garbage on the street, and human excrement. Individuals were afraid to be harassed for money, afraid of the drunks and drug addicts in the street, and voiced concern about the hookers and drug dealers they observed. Additionally, a number of individuals expressed concern about the homeless sleeping on or near their properties.Many individuals indicated that there was a need for affordable housing in this community along with rent control. Individuals on fixed income such as retirees or social assistant recipients indicated that their income could not support the increased rents within the neighbourhood.

2. What kind of community is desired?

The individuals living in this community seem to have a sense of the community. “It’s one big family of people. We support each other.” “There’s a good strong neighbourhood, it just has bad places.” There seem to be a large number of individuals that need support services because of various dependencies including, low income, fixed income, and mental health and substance abuse problems. The support services that exist in the area are well used and needed to the

3

future of the community. “How can you expect to develop an area, where the majority of people that are around it are dependent people? Where are you going to put them?”

There was evident in the respondents voices some degree of disbelief that their voices would be listened to. Many individuals seemed to think that the new plans would simple eliminate existing spaces and replace them with high rises and housing that would not be affordable. A common theme of concern was that the area is going to change to high priced homes and services. The question most often asked was what would happen to the current residents, where would they relocate to? “It doesn’t make sense, they are tearing up old places to make new places and they should make them into rooms and suites because they been kicked out from here to there and it’s not right. I see little children in tents. If that was me with my kids special services would be there for neglect.”

Individuals want a normal community that they can enjoy and socialize in. “Peaceful, you walk down the street and say hello how are you? Not some guy bash me in the head for 4 or 5 dollars in my pocket. Safety would be the main thing and better lighting in the winter. The streets are getting terrible.” “I am concerned the people thy don’t be strong on the street and maybe the government, and community make something happen for them, so they don’t go out and make trouble at night. They have good conditions for like a entertainment right or something like that. Let them have something to do and enjoy, right, so they don’t drunk and drink all day.”

The community of choice for most of the respondents includes: A clean and safe environment that is patrolled by the police An environment that would attract others to the community such as shoppers, visitors, or

families with young children. Increased support services for the needy such as counseling service Access to educational opportunities such as courses on budget management, child

rearing, crafts, and up-grading Accessibility to services – affordable transportation, community stores, some large stores

such as grocery stores and hardware store, second-hand stores, and churches. Recreational opportunities – accessible sport facilities, parks, playgrounds, biking paths,

well-lit walk ways Meeting places – places to meet to play games such as chess or cards or talk Affordable restaurants and coffee shops Develop China town to attract visitors

3. Recommendations

a) To include affordable housing including low rentals b) To develop additional support services such as counseling servicesc) To develop a community representative of the diversity of cultures and ages

within the community at this timed) To develop parks and playgrounds as meeting places for recreation and

socializatione) To improve safety by increased lighting of streets and walkways and

increased patrol

4

f) To create a neighbourhood that includes home residences and commerceg) To build community centres to provide recreational sports, meeting places,

and opportunities for increased education.h) To provide affordable, accessible transportation

Appendix: Summary of Story Gathering

Activities in Community Type of Activity Comments Number

of Responses

Shovel snowMow lawnFeed dogsUse existing pathwaysDoctor’s appointmentsAgencies visited

- SPCA - Salvation Army- Mustard Seed- Food bank- Churches- Little stores- Boys and Girls Club- Co-op- McCauley Health

centre- Boyle-McCauley clinic

- Kindred- Bissell Centre- Herb Jamison- Hope Mission

- Crossroads Community Church

- Clinic- Red Arrow- Library

Ride bikesPlay in parkUse Swimming poolEat out

Should stay

Needle exchange

‘No showers till 8 o’clock. Then you have to get back into your dirty clothes”

“Don’t like it”“have showers and get cleaned up”

“little go and hide”

2

333

2

1

3

33

2

Safe placeWatching girlsBeggingFree mealDo laundry behind Bissell CentrePlay pool and billiardsWatch TVCrafts classes, knitting classesGo to churchWalk

Nothing else to doHave to eat

“In the morning when people are about”

22

2

Wishes- dog park- ice cream places- more little stores- Grocery stores- Hardware stores Like

Rona or Canadian Tire

- shopping centre- beautiful places to visit

with flowers- green places with water- parks or community

centres to play games - small library- places for kids

- places to sit and talk- have coffee- patrolled by police for

safety – non obtrusive

- education opportunities

- churches- affordable

transportation system

- more biking trails- cap rents

“Don’t have to take bus.”Like Save-On-Foods“If you want paint, equipment or lumber got to go elsewhere. People do own home renovations.”

Trees, forests, garden

Places to meet, play chess, cards

Swings, playground, wading pool

“You never see officers on the beat walking around”Good parenting courses, life skills, managing money, cooking, crafts, upgradingChapel service

Can’t afford to travel to cheaper stores like Wal-Mart

More people can afford to live here

3

36

8

6

526

6

2

6

25

- affordable housing

- create structures to build routines around community action

- sports facilities – football, soccer, base ball, swimming

- Community look like Gas Town in Vancouver

- Counseling service- Centrally located single

centre- Cultural features

- Mix of commercial and residential

- Family friendly- Help for the mentally

handicapped- Help for addiction- More support services- Cafes- Get rid of drug dealers- Nice homes

- Senior golden age homes

- Meeting rooms- Clean up environment- Childcare- Get rid of shacks - Improved lighting on

streets- Stricter policies for

safety- Safety- No drunks or hookers- Helping neighbours- Work- Wheelchair accessible

“Just because it’s a boom, should not be forced to leave”more places to move into“My rent is $750. Social Services gives you $450”“People who can’t cope need support systems”clean walks, neighbourhood watch, funded by cityGive children something to do, would go if accessible“not high rise –multi- family

Sweat lodges – alternative healing

Recovery house

Trimmed lawns, flower beds

Look after buildings

12

5

2

2

3

33

2

122

8

3

- Get rid of

- Make more room for homeless people

- Convenience stores open till nine in the evening

- Dollar store

- Move homeless people

York, Royal, Star 2

3

Concerns1. Safety

- Bad places in neighbourhood – prostitutes and drug dealers

- This is a “War Zone”

- lack of safety to walk to school – bullying and beating up kids

- shelters- not as controlled as they should be

- stealing

- If more high rises – crime would go up

- Broke into my car- Yelling screaming

shaking fists on street

2. People with handicapping conditions

“Don’t go out. Most likely get robbed.”

“..back door… shooting up, hypos lying all over the place”

Start of “little gangs” to be safe to walk to school

Easier to get robbed than sleeping on the street

Demands for money or demands to make you leave “2 guys tried to steal my sub sandwich”“They are tear it all down. It’ll be back in five minutes.”

“Threaten you You’ve gotta give it to them even when you don’t have any.”

Help to keep them on their medication, get them into stable homes, off the street

6

3

2

3. Dirty community

4. Other- isolation of community

members- lack of activities for

teens- They are taking away

the personality of Metro Edmonton

- Privacy around property

- Drunks- Children in tents- Homeless people

- Put in paving to prevent dust

Broken glass, graffiti, “pee and poop”, vomit, cockroaches, bed-bugs, bad garbage

“I don’t know what they could do with the homeless problem.”

7

2

Other Comments

Downtown area supportive - “It’s one big family of people. We support each other.”If you tear down the area you have more people with no place to go, with no support services. “Doesn’t matter what I say anyways because they’re gonna do whatever they want anyways.”“I don’t want none of those @%#& high rises around here.”“Roughest place in town, you’d figure there would be a church, and it’s a bar. Why/”“How can you expect to develop an area, where the majority of people that are around it are dependent people? Where are you going to put them?”“I’m just not interested, I used to go to the Fringe Festival and I went to Art Expo. I’m just not interested. There’s just too much needed at this point as far as I am concerned.“Yeah but they wanna get rid of me. They wanna get rid of the people who live here, or people who won’t come here. People living in Sherwood Park, people living in Millwoods in %500,000 homes are not gonna come down here to a frigging park. They’re not gonna come here. They’re gonna chase us out of here to build something that’ll never be used.”“The first thing they should do is just of the department of the City of Edmonton or someone take care of this community they should come and walk through all the small alley an then can just find our themselves.”“Because the street, the alley, they don’t have a good foundation. You have to start form the foundation. If you don’t fix this challenge, no matter how much work you do this doesn’t help.”

Comments from China Town

I separated these comments as the information gathered was more through directed interviews as opposed to Story Telling.

General Comment

All five evolved into more of criticisms of the neighbourhood. All five came form merchants in China Town.Summary

Concerns Comments #Too much homelessnessPeople scared to come to China town to shopToo dirty

Loss of businessViolence

People sleeping in alleysVisibly “bad people”Rising costs of rentStealingCommunicate with police if one can’t speak English

“government to clean them”“so scared to come to Chinatown”

broken glass, graffiti, pee and poop

“worsened since Hope Mission built”broken windows and doors, gluing doors shuthard to see – easy to drive over

Last year $1000, now $2000Food, baskets, money at knife point

6

5

57

11121

WishesMore mailboxesClean streetsProvide safety to attract visitor/touristsBuild places like Hope Mission in other places – not in ChinatownCharities in the community

Development of ChinatownProvide activities for entertainingImproved transportation

Improved food pricesCost of repair to propertiesSend security from Boyle-McCauleyBoyle-McCauley clean up area

“attracts more homeless people” “move them”

“they have something for them, I think that better”“attract more visitors”“give something to do and enjoy”

“more good road conditions, LRT, high speed rail form Calgary”

142

2

1

1

1

Draft Plan Developed for Downtown East Community Consultation

February 28, 2007

Developed by Ingrid Crowther

Assumptions

1. Strategy to be used to gather information — Story Telling2. Facilitators are the individuals who will gather the information form the participants3. Two processes will be used — individual story telling (100 individuals) and group story

telling (100 individuals)4. All story-telling will be taped and transcribed

Activities Timing Responsibility CostPreparation Phase Identify various groups to collect

data from Identify facilitators Develop story line

One month Sub- committee

Training of Facilitators Two three hoursessions Or condensed one day

Ingrid SpaceDuplicating costs Will facilitators need to be paid?Ingrid offer services per gratis

Implementation Individual story telling Group story telling

Two months FacilitatorsIngrid to offer guidance as needed

Fee for facilitators

Transcription Transcribed as complete

Ongoing Two transcribers Maximum of $1500.00 per person based on 200 transcripts.

Analysis Ongoing information as transcribed Prepare report Review report Adjust as needed

One month Ingrid I would like to negotiate a $2000.00 fee for this service.

APPENDIX DDraft Map - Non Market Housing in The Quarters – To be inserted

2008PDG012_AppendixD.pdf

APPENDIX E Draft – Map Market Housing - Number of Units – To be inserted

2008PDG012_AppendixE.pdf