Old Strathcona's Challenge

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To most people, managing kids' behaviour means controlling the number of bars or bar occupancy levels in the area, and strict enforcement of laws relating to alcohol sale and use. In the last ten years, the number of bar spaces in a five-block area on Whyte Ave has increased dramatically from 1,200 bar stools, a number Duggan suggests is "appropriate for a retail shopping and recreation area focused on the arts" Now at 12,000, the number is "appropriate for nothing, anywhere," he says.

Agreement is unanimous that action needs to be taken to curb the number of bars and their occupancy levels. Berghofer wants the police "to come down hard. We want city council to tighten licenses and pull licenses of those that over-serve." Phair points to the city’s freeze on bar permits until January 2002 and its increased policing and cleaning of streets and sidewalks. Meanwhile the business association is working with bar owners and the police on a number of initiatives to improve bar owners' and staff relations with the community.

Duggan doubts such steps will curb inappropriate behaviour. "Quite frankly, if the city persists in only allowing zoning tools to regulate an area, it's guaranteed we'll see an increase in disorder, public drunkenness, and violence." In that case it's conceivable that Strathcona could end up the drag area it once was, "but with nicer infrastructure." Duggan also faults the media for hurting the area. "You can't ignore the fact that negative media has been a significant factor in creating the perception of the area as a place to go to be inappropriate," he sighs.

Even if the policing and maintenance issues are resolved, new developments continue to threaten Strathcona. Among community supporters there's consensus that relying on the present system of granting development permits is not enough to protect the diversity—the mix of shops, restaurants, people and events—that is so attractive.

While the foundation and business association agree that ways have to be found to keep peace on the avenue, they also recognize that finding some way to save the merchant mix is ultimately as important.

"Whyte Ave's success depends on a mix of young entrepreneurial merchants who can afford space where they can experiment with some product they're passionate about," Duggan believes. Ensuring these people represent the majority of businesses in the area is essential, he suggests, because they will want to work for the best interests of the community. Unfortunately, the current rents of $23 to $25 a square foot will keep them out.

Long-time property owner and retailer Wilf Brooks and his family have come to see the wisdom of keeping the mix. Once opposed to the OSF's efforts, Brooks is now an active supporter, so much so that when the Brooks family decided to sell some of their Strathcona retail property, they refused to sell to anyone who intended to lease it for anything other than a retail business.

Communities must plan their future, says Brooks "to keep them vibrant." He participated in the development of Strathcona's area revitalization plan (ARP), and is repeating the exercise in another Edmonton community today. Brooks states emphatically that if you don't create a plan, then property values suffer.

Strathcona's current ARP protects heritage elements of the community, focusing on preserving the historical elements, building style, and way of life in the area. It includes design guidelines, building height, setback restrictions, parking requirements, governance of traffic, and transportation routes. Michael Phair explains that "the area redevelopment plan is there to guide members of city council. In general most members are hesitant to do things contrary to the plan."

Berghofer has experienced otherwise. "You have to be tenacious in fighting council to uphold plans," she says, referring to the ARPs. "Some councilors do not support ARPs. All over the city they are being written off." Duggan is skeptical that the plan is enough to protect the area as a whole. He is concerned that retailers' interests have begun to take precedence over community well-being. "The merchants' group has only part of the vision and doesn't represent historical interests, residents, or arts groups in any meaningful way."

No one disputes that change in a community is inevitable, even desirable. But how much is enough, and what is the cost? Perhaps it's time to find a way to provide long-term protection of Strathcona's distinctive characteristics. Robert Geldart, a heritage planner with the City of Edmonton, supports this view. Currently he is looking at opportunities to enshrine the historic nature of the community in perpetuity.

"It's my personal wish to have Old Strathcona designated under the provincial Historical Resources Act as a Municipal Historic Area." Under the Act, a city bylaw would be created specific to the community. "Criteria would be in place to protect a lot of the area from going beyond its character. It wouldn't discourage new development, but would look closely at all development, not wanting it to replicate the past but be sensitive to the area."

Geldart's plan may offer hope to those who feel Old Strathcona lost some appeal in its latest incarnation, but achieving permanent status to protect the community is a lengthy and complex procedure.

Meanwhile the city has appointed a full-time Whyte Avenue coordinator to work with stakeholder groups and city departments on responses to issues affecting the area. Today Old Strathcona is still healthy, fascinating, and invigorating. But the question remains unanswered: how will the people who care about it ensure it stays that way?*

Juliet Kershaw is a writer and editor, living in Old Strathcona.

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