Welcome! and thank you for dropping by our website.

Since becoming Executive Director of our business association in January of 2008, there have been many noticeable changes on the Avenue. Phase 4 of the City of Edmonton’s Streetscape construction between 78th Street and 82nd Street was completed during 2011. Seven new storefronts were completed by commercial property owners under the City of Edmonton’s Façade Improvement Program, which our association has vigorously promoted over the last five years. A new Development Incentive Program was also launched by the City in 2011.

Last year saw Shoppers Drug Mart enter into a conditional sale agreement with the owner of the vacant Cromdale Hotel property, and we are hopeful that the transaction will go through successfully. We will also continue in our efforts to communicate with Esso as to their plans for the brownfield property they own at 97th Street and 118th Ave.

2012 will see the start of Phase 5 Streetscape construction by the City (97th St. to 106th St.) with 103rd St. to 106th St. to be completed this year.

AABA will always continue in its best efforts to attract new businesses to the Avenue, however our strongest emphasis now needs to be concentrated on attracting more shoppers to support our business revitalization zone which runs from NAIT to Northlands along 118th Ave. Further in this regard, 2011 saw our business association adopt a new ‘go forward’ action plan to promote our businesses and the Avenue, concentrating on ‘Communication’, ‘Advertising/Promotion’ and ‘Public Relations’. This started with a comprehensive revamp of our website, Ad campaigns on 630 CHED Radio and ETS buses, increased Ad presence in the local Rat Creek Press, and outdoor signs. In addition, a one page message from our Board Chair about our association to the surrounding community was done in the Rat Creek Press.

We intend to move forward with our action plan and we are currently looking at a number of marketing initiatives for consideration by our marketing committee for 2012. In addition to our valuable larger and long time anchor businesses in our business revitalization zone, the Avenue with its multicultural mosaic of smaller family owned businesses operating restaurants, coffee houses and bakeries serving international cuisines as well as stores selling products from around the world, is a great place to shop.

I encourage everyone to support our merchants.

The numerous family festivals and events that are put on each year by the arts community, avenue initiative, community leagues and farmers market, that attract several thousand people to the Ave each year have also helped some of our businesses as visitors have supported their stores and restaurants. For 2012 AABA will be providing a financial donation to both Eastwood Fest and the Kaleido Arts Festival.

2010 saw the preparation and completion of a first time “Economic Impact Assessment Report” on our BRZ, a copy of which can be downloaded from our website.

Several other things are currently being worked on, and in which I am involved personally, representing our business association:

• A City of Edmonton Business Revitalization Zones Strategic Plan
• A City of Edmonton Parking Management Study
• ‘The Way we Prosper’ a Business Advisory Committee struck by the City of Edmonton to create a comprehensive economic development strategy for Edmonton.

We will keep all of our business members updated in future newsletters.

There is a whole new attitude happening on Alberta Avenue in many ways, including our business association representing 190+ businesses to serve the public. Come and see the many changes on the Avenue.

You may also contact me personally via e-mail at director@alberta-avenue.com.

Thank You.

Joachim Holtz, P.Mgr

Executive Director, Alberta Avenue Business Association (AABA)

www.alberta-avenue.com