Edmonton’s downtown area is due for a makeover, and one community leader, Sol Rolingher, has agreed to put together the $50 million that it will cost to develop a new canal.
Rolingher has plenty of experience in project management, as has sat as a board member on the governing body of almost every public institution in the city.
His vision for the future is a scenic canal that will follow along 96th avenue and eventually empty into the river. Along its banks, he pictures a promenade with shops, restaurants and other commercial areas on the lower floors of newly constructed buildings with new affordable condo living spaces on the top.
It is hoped that the revitalized area will draw people back to the city’s downtown, and create new employment opportunities for the community. It is also expected that there will be economic benefits for other businesses such as property management firms, wholesale food stores, and printing companies.
The plans for the canal involves 3ft of water, which will make it deep enough for paddle boats to use it in the summer, and when it freezes in the winter, it will be a place for skating, outdoor hockey, and even curling. People can stroll alongside, browse the shops, have a meal, and really come together.
The area currently houses several vacant lots and other run down areas that are in desperate need of a makeover. If Rolingher’s dream becomes a reality, the area will once again become one of the city’s favorite spots.
