WEEKLY UPDATE - MAR 18

Welcome to the weekly wrap up! I hope everyone had a chance to enjoy the beautiful spring weather this weekend.

Public Hearing included rezoning for the next phase of Blatchford, and an important discussion about extending surface parking lots north of Rogers Place. We decided to wait until we have a clear strategy in place for all lots downtown, which we'll be talking about tomorrow.

At City Council, we heard about the budget pressures we're facing, with a $60m deficit realised in 2023. We'll have tough decisions to make at our spring budget adjustment. I'm encouraged by reallocation options presented by staff and hope that can ease pressures on core services.

We also received the quarterly downtown and transit safety update. We're seeing positive trends in the transit numbers, with a decrease in the severity of crime and a bump in ridership - growing 27% in 2023 and continuing to grow in the first months of 2024. There is still work to be done. Two thirds of people feel safe while taking transit and staff are digging into what's needed for the other third to feel safe. From enforcement, to physical upgrades to more activation in the system, there are a range of initiatives underway.

I was excited to hear what's happening downtown, including the return of the 104 Street Farmers Market and an entertainment zone along Rice Howard Way. We had more festivals last summer than pre-pandemic and it looks like it will be another busy summer in the heart of our city!

That’s all for now. See you next week!