Citizen Asks Mayor For Answers On Recent Develpments
19/03/2009 04:36
SINC SAYS:
I received a letter yesterday from reader Robert Hartley with some questions for Mayor Crouse. The Mayor chose to respond in point form embedded within the letter. Here, for the benefit of our readers, are those questions posed by Mr. Harley and the responses by Mayor Crouse:
Hi Don,
“The Mayor’s Task Force on St. Albert’s Downtown Revitalization recommends 16 key changes to inject life into the city’s core” - St. Albert Gazette Wednesday, March 18, 2009.
After reading the article and then the full report posted on your web site “St. Albert’s Place”, many questions come to mind, so through you to the Mayor:
1. How were the Task Force participants selected?
Mayor Crouse responds:
There were likely about 10 ads in the Gazette and everyone who asked to attend one was scheduled. In total about 105 were in attendance at the 11 groups. The individuals all were on their own to come forward and attend - mostly Saturdays, a couple week nights and one or 2 daytime ones.
2. Who selected them?
Mayor Crouse responds:
People registered on their own.
3. What percentage of residents do you imagine would support closing St. Anne Street?
Mayor Crouse responds:
Without a total traffic plan and parking vision, it would be unwise to close any downtown street. I can’t speculate on % but it would likely be low until a lot of other changes were made.
4. What percentage of residents do you imagine would support development of a multi story parkade?
Mayor Crouse responds:
One of the larger complaints is downtown parking for all the festivals, markets, Arden performances, library etc., so some day we will have to add parking of some magnitude. Hard to speculate on %.
5. What percentage of residents do you imagine would support moving civic employee’s out of St. Albert Place?
Mayor Crouse responds:
We already have staff renting in Campbell Park, on Perron Street (FCSS), and on the second floor (HR) above Cajun House. So, people support moving people when it makes sense. Most don't know where all our offices are in the city. City Hall has few offices relative to all the offices around the city. RCMP, Fire Hall, Servus, Public Works, Fountain Park Pool, Akinsdale, Campbell Park, Business Center, City Hall, Perron Street are all offices today. My guess is that City Hall may only have 20% of the City staff within it and the other 80% are dispersed through many other offices already.
6. What Percentage of residents do you imagine would support a St. Albert Place take-over by Arts & Crafts?
Mayor Crouse responds:
Likely not a large number but it already is a significant % today. When City Hall was opened 25 years ago, the ribbon cutting video showed it as "The Arts, Crafts, and Cultural" Center of St. Albert. Literary arts (Library), Performing Arts (Arden), the Children's Festival, the Studios, etc, are all part of that and likely will remain for years.
7. What percentage of residents do you imagine would support building a new City Hall?
Mayor Crouse responds:
Few, unless there was a significant need or interest or drive for a City Hall with a Museum or other such community space.
8. What percentage of residents do you imagine would be prepared to pay higher taxes to support your Task Force recommendations?
Mayor Crouse responds:
No one likes higher taxes so my guess is it would be a small percentage.
9. If council approves the recommendations put forth by the Task Force, will the residents of St. Albert be granted the opportunity to voice their approval via plebiscite?
Mayor Crouse responds:
The focus groups was one input. We need public input through the bylaw changes that may occur in 2010 or beyond. We need to hear from traffic people, library board, museum people, Arts and Heritage foundation, experts on parking, experts on flood plain, river study experts etc. Lots and lots of experts and residents to hear from over the next year.
Looking forward to your usual prompt reply.
Regards,
Robert Hartley
St. Albert
SINC SAYS:
St. Albert’s Place would like to thank Mayor Crouse for his prompt response to Mr. Harley’s questions via this web site.
