Neighbourhood Renewal: What It Means for Gariepy and Our Ward

This weekend, I was door-knocking in Quensell Heights when someone shared to me the concerns of her friends who live in Gariepy, about the ongoing Neighbourhood Renewal project along Lessard Road and in nearby areas. In addition, the volunteer helping me also lives in the area and we had a chat about what I heard about the resident on our way home, and he had concerns also. This feedback is not unique as many neighbourhoods across Ward sipiwiyiniwak are part of multi-year renewal plans, and these kinds of projects affect how we move, live, and connect every day.

Gariepy is one of several neighbourhoods currently undergoing infrastructure renewal through the City of Edmonton’s Building Great Neighbourhoods program. These efforts focus on upgrading aging roads, sidewalks, streetlights, and parks, but they also involve decisions about how we want our communities to grow and serve us long into the future.

What is Neighbourhood Renewal?

Neighbourhood Renewal is a long-term program that rehabilitates the physical infrastructure in Edmonton communities. The work includes replacing sidewalks, curbs, gutters, and streetlights, as well as repaving roads and improving accessibility where possible. It also opens the door to improvements in parks, public spaces, and how people connect and get around.

These projects are guided by three major inputs:

• Public input

• Technical requirements

• City programs and policies

To learn more, visit the City of Edmonton’s Neighbourhood Renewal page or the Gariepy-specific updates on the Lessard Community League website.

A Local Example: Gariepy

In Gariepy, residents have shared both appreciation and frustration about the renewal process. Some are glad to see cracked sidewalks and aging lights finally being replaced. Others have raised concerns about construction disruptions, a lack of clarity in communication, and feeling that their feedback was not fully reflected in the final design decisions.

It is absolutely fair to expect that when the city asks for public input, it does something meaningful with what it hears. That trust is critical. Especially for projects that will affect the daily lives of residents for decades, transparency and responsiveness matter

How Cost-Sharing Works

As part of the Neighbourhood Renewal Program, homeowners may be asked to help pay for certain upgrades through a local improvement process. These improvements are considered optional and are added only if approved by a majority of property owners on the block or street.

There are two main cost-sharing items:

1. Sidewalk Reconstruction

   • If over 50% of homeowners on a street agree, sidewalks can be fully replaced rather than patched or repaired. The cost is then shared between the City and property owners.

2. Decorative Street Lighting

   • If chosen by the neighbourhood, decorative streetlights can be installed, also through cost-sharing.

   
   

This approach is meant to give residents some choice over the final look and scope of their renewed streetscape. However, it also means residents need to be well-informed and well-organized to weigh their options fairly.

My Commitment as a Candidate

Not everyone can attend a city open house or keep track of a multi-stage infrastructure plan on top of work, family, and life. That should not be a barrier to having your voice heard.

If elected to city council, I commit to making neighbourhood engagement more accessible, more proactive, and more inclusive—especially during long-term projects like these. That includes:

• Advocating for clearer communication about timelines, impacts, and costs

• Supporting community leagues and local leaders in sharing information

• Asking city staff to revisit engagement practices to ensure input is meaningfully reflected in final designs

• Helping residents understand both the short-term disruptions and the long-term benefits that come from renewing our neighbourhoods

• Providing clear explanations on why feedback cannot be implemented, whether it is because of cost, engineering, accessibility or long-term considerations.

Infrastructure has to be built with the future in mind. As we age, change how we get around, or raise families in the same homes for decades, we deserve streets and sidewalks that adapt with us. Whether it’s a senior using a walker, a parent pushing a stroller, or a commuter catching a bus, neighbourhood renewal should support a city that works for everyone.

Let’s continue working together to make the most of our neighbourhoods, in Gariepy and beyond.