Letter to the City of Edmonton, 76 Avenue Renewal Project Team
Dear Project Team,
On behalf of the Ritchie Community League (RCL), I am writing to express our support for the 76 Avenue Renewal project. After reviewing the design concepts presented in the 2025 Exploring Options and Tradeoffs stage for 89 Street to 99 Street, the Ritchie Community League board supports the implementation of infrastructure for all ages and abilities that also enhances the community's forest canopy and promotes local businesses.
Our support for is based on the following key priorities:
1. All Ages and Abilities Infrastructure: 76 Avenue is a vital corridor for children attending local schools, seniors residing in the area, and neighbors visiting local businesses. An emphasis on protected travel and with wider, boulevard-separated sidewalks significantly increases safety for residents while still providing parking opportunities on one side of the street year-round.
2. Enhancing the Forest Canopy: Boulevards, trees, and low-impact development (LID) are critical to ensure 76 Avenue is safe and enjoyable for residents. These elements have the potential to provide better outcomes for snow clearing in the winter. It is vital that boulevards, trees, and LID be provided wherever possible throughout the corridor.
3. Promoting Local Businesses: Ritchie is home to a thriving community of small businesses. We understand that walkable, bikeable streets are good for the local economy. By prioritizing the place-making aspects of the street, such as seating, better lighting, and a more pleasant space, the improvements will encourage residents and visitors to linger, shop, and support the entrepreneurs along 76 Avenue. We also encourage the project team to collaborate with the league and local businesses on design elements at Ritchie 4-Corners (96 Street).
As we observe another season of winter, our support is conditional to a responsive and adequate snow removal plan for 76 Ave between 99 and 85 street and we request this plan to be included as part of the project, for final approval.
We thank the Project Team for their work and engagement with the community throughout 2025.
We look forward to being a partner on the next steps of the project as it moves forward, including collaborative engagement on the 96 Street intersection to create a uniquely Ritchie design solution.
Sincerely,
Carly Steiger, President