This Month with Mayor Ken Johnston: April 2023

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1. What are your thoughts on the news that Fabricland, a large retailer near downtown Red Deer, is leaving? Given the business’s reasons for leaving, does the City have any concerns about having such a large empty space in close proximity to the shelter? Is the city working with the landowner on what to do with the space in the meantime? Does the city have any hopes for the space? –rdnewsNOW

It is always disappointing news to hear of a business closing, and in particular, when it is within the downtown core. Downtown is the vibrant heart of Red Deer, and we have seen a lot of positives in the area, including the fact that in 2022, 50 new businesses opened in the downtown area.

I believe in downtown renewal as does Council. I encourage all citizens to visit the downtown as part of your shopping and social activities. We can all shape the future and the narrative of our downtown.

We have been working closely with downtown business owners and the DBA on increasing mitigation strategies responding to issues being faced in the Railyards neighbourhood. Last year, Council approved $513,600 over two years to directly address concerns that business and property owners in the area have identified over the last few years. I want to let the businesses and property owners in the Railyards neighbourhood know that we’ve heard you, and we understand. The mitigation strategies are in response to the issues being faced by surrounding neighbours right now. What we need to remember is that we are planning for a fully integrated permanent shelter that transforms how we support the individuals who access it. The long-term vision will provide hope and dignity for those in need while also integrating into the community, and it’s going to take all of us coming to the table to be able to do that.

As for what we hope to see in that space, I do know that our administration has been working with the local Fabricland team to share information and available tools, like the Investment Opportunity Engine, should they consider relocation opportunities. As well, our team has worked closely with the landowner to explore opportunities the vacancy will introduce to the area.

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2. The City has stated its annexation of land west of the QEII will eventually be developed into a regional ‘power centre.’ Major Projects Planner David Girardin said this term can mean development of a larger outdoor shopping mall with big box stores and other smaller retailers. How would this be different than what can already be found within the City? Why retail outlets when there is the growing popularity of online shopping? What do you see this ‘power centre’ being utilized for? –rdnewsNOW

The future development of the annexation lands would have some similarities to the smaller power centers you would see around Red Deer already, however, the location along the highway provides an opportunity, unlike any other location in Red Deer, by capitalizing on and attracting the high volume of highway users, which is Alberta’s most important commercial corridor.

This location combined with the much larger scale than any other commercial development in Red Deer will attract commercial businesses and retailers that would not otherwise locate within the city of Red Deer. This type of location could also attract commercial corporations that own multiple subsidiaries as it facilitates their ability to co-locate their commercial interests.

It is hard for me to speculate on the future of bricks and mortar stores with the popularity of online shopping, but what I can say is that we heard from the major commercial developer in the area that they do believe there is demand for brick-and-mortar commercial development of these lands.

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3. With the provincial election coming up May 29, from a municipal perspective, what would the City of Red Deer like to see the most from the next provincial government, regardless of who is elected? Increased communication and consultation on major projects, for example? Increased funding for areas of significant concern? What would you say to the party leaders? –rdnewsNOW

One of my goals as Mayor of this great city was to increase our communication and collaboration with the provincial government. Regardless of the party that is elected, it is our job as a municipal government leaders to work with our provincial colleagues to fight for what is best for our community.

There are a few main issues that have been a focus of Council and I over the last year and a half and will continue to be. I will start with the Red Deer Regional Hospital Centre (RDRHC). Council and I will continue to work with whatever party is elected to ensure continued proactive communication regarding hospital expansion and will keep residents as informed as possible. We will continue to push for the Government of Alberta and Alberta Health Services to develop a detailed transition plan, which guides the RDRHC through the next ten years while the capital expansion is underway, and to provide stop gap measures to the operational challenges our hospital currently faces.

Another is affordable housing. We will continue efforts to advocate that the Government of Alberta work closely with municipalities and the Government of Canada to facilitate the creation of much needed affordable housing units in Red Deer.

Of course another that is top of mind for our community is integrated permanent shelter. We need the Government of Alberta to take more of leadership role in presenting a vision for the layout and design and operations of a 24-hour integrated shelter for Red Deer, and to engage our community in a proactive way regarding this important piece of social infrastructure.

Regardless of where your political allegiances lie, I encourage all Red Deerians to get out and vote at the end of the month, and ensure your voice is heard. Red Deer and central Alberta are home to over 400,000 Albertans and the provincial legislature tends to forget about that from time to time. Our region is a powerful and dynamic force within our great province and deserves to always be treated as such.

READ MORE: AB VOTES

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EDITOR’S NOTE: The views expressed above are those of the Mayor and do not necessarily represent those of rdnewsNOW or Pattison Media. Column suggestions and letters to the editor can be sent to news@rdnewsNOW.com.

by Ken Johnston, Mayor of Red Deer

This Month with Mayor Ken Johnston: April 2023

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