A “positive” plan that aims to change the conversation around the downtown Red Deer was approved by city council on Monday.
But several councillors expressed concern that this future planning document doesn’t adequately address the fundamental need for social change that’s keeping some people away from the city’s core. They also wanted more emphasis on attracting people to live in the downtown.
The Downtown Red Deer Activation Playbook sets out goals for “bringing to life” a vision of the city centre as a more active and visited space in future. Tricia Hercina, the city’s acting community services general manager, said the document also provides a clear direction on how to make that happen with five-year and 20-year goals.
About 1,600 Red Deerians provided feedback and started some difficult conversations, said Hercina.”It wasn’t always easy,” she noted, to talk about impacts of the opioid addiction on the city’s core, or the need for economic recovery.
But the same descriptor words came up time and again about what’s needed for the downtown: Active, prosperous, inclusive, vibrant, unique, accessible, safe, social and resilient.
Hercina said the Playbook provides a road map for a new downtown identity that starts with it being re-branded as a neighbourhood.
Although Coun. Vesna Higham and several other councillors felt an emphasis on fixing some of the downtown problems was missing from the plan, Hercina said other work is already underway to address more immediate issues in the downtown, such as safety and social issues. This includes planning a permanent integrated shelter, the social diversion team, the Community Housing and Homelessness Integrated Plan, and the downtown policing unit.
Coun. Bruce Buruma believes the plan needed to go deeper. “How are we going to attract investment or confidence in the downtown?” Coun. Victor Doerksen said he hopes it won’t just sit on a shelf — as does Coun. Michael Dawe.
“Personally, I believe the best plan for the downtown is with residences,” said Dawe. While it’s fine to think of the downtown as a neighbourhood, he noted neighbours need a common purpose — more than just someone happening to rent an apartment at the city’s core. “You need something like a condo association…”
While the Playbook doesn’t directly cover the gamut of concerns, council approved it, in hopes it would start a more positive conversation about the downtown – one that resonates with Red Deerians, as well as visitors and investors.
Hercina said, “We built this plan alongside the community, and believe it reflects a ‘made in Red Deer’ approach and considers all the factors that make our community unique.” She noted many initiatives, such as the Meet the Street festival, the new entertainment district, and the downtown washroom pilot, are already underway.
Mayor Ken Johnston said reviving the downtown isn’t a one-organization job: It takes everyone venturing out to enjoy to Wednesday market, the Ross Street Patio and the many shops and restaurants.
Noting thousands of people come downtown for the Red Deer Lights the Night Festival before Christmas, the mayor challenged everyone to double the number of times they visit the city’s centre. “It’s time to counter the narrative that it’s not a good place… Where else can you find the visual impact of the downtown?” he added, indicating the colourful murals, the lit-up trees, the flower baskets and music.
To read the full plan, please visit reddeer.ca/downtown.
lmichelin@reddeeradvocate.com
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