Red Deer Minute: Shelter Criteria, Tree Trimming, and Greyhound Station Demolition

Red Deer Minute - Your weekly one-minute summary of Red Deer politics

This Week In Red Deer:

• There is a City Council meeting this morning at 10:30 am. Up for discussion is the temporary cancellation of the Hwy 11A / Northland Drive project that was scheduled to begin this year. The "cancellation" is due to unforeseen circumstances such as escalating construction and material supply costs, and lack of developer interest. Approximately $9.8 million has already been spent on the project, though Administration notes this money has not been spent in vain as the expensed items will be needed once the project begins again.
  
  
• The City’s tree trimming program begins today. Parks and Public Works crews will be working downtown between 48th and 52nd Streets, as well as between 47th and 51st Avenues. Red Deerians are reminded to exercise caution when in this area. Work is expected to be complete by August 5th.
  
  
• The Coffee with a Cop program returns on Wednesday. Community policing officers will meet one-on-one with residents one Wednesday each month from now until September to discuss concerns, answer questions, and get to know each other. Mayor Ken Johnston will also be available to meet with citizens. The first event will be held July 6th, from 2:00 pm to 3:30 pm, at the McDonald’s located at 4840-52 Avenue.

Last Week In Red Deer:

• City Council defined five criteria that will be considered when selecting a permanent shelter site. Council is looking for a site that either already has, or can accommodate, a building that meets the Province’s minimum requirement of 10,000 square feet. Impacts on businesses, residences, parks, trails, and schools are also being considered, among other things. The next step is the creation of a site evaluation matrix that works with the defined criteria. This will take place at today’s Council meeting.
  
  
• Red Deer's former Greyhound bus station has been slated for demolition. The station has been empty for four years, following the stoppage of Greyhound’s operations. The site, at Gaetz Avenue and 43rd Street was previously up for sale but was removed from the market after ground contamination was discovered. The property owners now need to decontaminate the soil and potentially the groundwater.
  
  
• Red Deerians enjoyed the Canada Day celebrations at Bower Ponds. The Red Deer Cultural Heritage Society hosted the event, alongside the Red Deer Local Immigration Partnership. The event offered multicultural performances, cultural food booths, and a fireworks show. There was also a Human Library activity available, where attendees could learn about the lives and experiences of others.

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