Old Strathcona pedestrian-only space a success, says market, attendees

The city says a pilot project to close 83 Avenue to vehicles over the summer was a success. CTV News Edmonton's Marek Tkach has the story.

It was the final weekend for a project that saw 83 Avenue shut down for themed Old Strathcona Farmers Markets events throughout the summer, and it’s giving the city new ideas for what revitalization of the area could mean.

“We’ve seen an increase in people coming to the farmers’ market, new faces we’ve never seen before, all different kinds of people,” said the market’s communications co-ordinator, Micaela Szpigiel.

For four weekends this summer, 83 Avenue in front of the Old Strathcona Farmers Market was closed to vehicles for a complete pedestrian takeover as part of the Old Strathcona Public Realm Strategy.

The project is a collaboration between the city and the market that could ultimately result in the permanent closure of 83 Avenue to vehicles between Calgary Trail and Gateway Boulevard.

While Szpigiel said they’re not there yet, she noted it’s been a successful test run, adding that event weekends have seen turnout numbers increase by as much as 10 per cent.

“We see the community coming and engaging and actually spending the whole day in the area, not just coming in and grabbing groceries and leaving,” she said.

Each of the four events was themed: the first game-themed, the next transportation-themed, the third animal-themed and the final one international-themed.

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She said a permanent closure through the summer would be a “fantastic opportunity” to get the community involved more permanently.

Business owners in the area seem to be in good spirits about the idea, too.

“There has been a lot more walk-through business, especially coming in from the front door,” said Collette Smith, who works at The Candyman in the area.

She added that permanently closing 83 Avenue to vehicles is something to consider long-term.

“The way it’s going so far, this has been excellent for the market, so I could see that as being something we could continue to look toward in the future,” she said.

Stephanie Ouild, who runs Oh My Goodies on 83 Avenue, said the event itself has been great, although she was worried about the closures at first.

“Change is hard, but seeing the amount of people who come through and the vibrancy that these events bring to the market, I think it’s a really great opportunity for expansion in the neighbourhood,” she said.

Still, she said she hopes the city considers how Edmontonians from further away could access the market without parking.

“Not everybody can take the bus or take transit from all areas of the city to get here and then haul groceries home with them,” she added.

Marketgoer Emily Beilman said she and her children have enjoyed the activities the closure has brought to the street, but she still goes back and forth on closing the street permanently.

“I’m a driver, so I like the ability to get through and turn around with the one-way streets, but I think on weekends, it’s probably a great idea,” said Beilman.

The city’s principal planner, Marco Melfi, said they are focusing on temporary, occasional and seasonal closures of 83 Avenue but didn’t put a timeline on the potential to permanently pedestrianize the street.

“That right now seems to fit with what people are interested in and what we can help with,” said Melfi.

The closure of 83 Avenue is part of the city’s Old Strathcona Public Realm Strategy, which envisions a new future for parks, plazas, parking lots, sidewalks, alleys and streets in the area.

“The overall plan is to help make Old Strathcona more vibrant,” said Melfi. “It’s already a great destination, already a great neighbourhood … this strategy is just a way to make it even better.”

The strategy was finalized last year and builds on public feedback collected between 2022 and 2024. It’s currently in the implementation phase, where Old Strathcona will slowly see more events or “activations” like on 83 Avenue, as well as longer-term changes to improve parks, sidewalks and streets.

With files from CTV News Edmonton’s Marek Tkach