A Community Profile
Alberta Avenue: A look back in time
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Historic 118th Avenue
Credit: http://avenuehistory.org/
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As far back as 1894, the city of Edmonton, Alberta’s bustling capital, was beginning to gain some ground
with a population of just 1,000. Throughout the years, it has since grown into the large and flourishing city
that we known today. Scattered throughout Edmonton, there remains a few historical buildings, sites, and
communities that have endured the many years of changes and growth. Once such of these communities is
the Alberta Avenue area. Alberta Avenue is located in central Edmonton, north of the downtown area along
118 Avenue. However, turn the clock back to the early 90’s and Alberta Avenue was once situated on the
outskirts of Edmonton, in what was then known as the North Edmonton Village.
As Edmonton entered into a booming period of rapid growth, the Alberta Avenue area quickly became a
popular location for various factories to be built and, thanks of the low costs of land, it invited immigrants
and local workers to settle in the area. As its growth continued, Alberta Avenue soon built local churches,
schools, a library, and a community league that in turn built playgrounds, pools, tennis courts and a hall to
serve the growing community. For many years, Alberta Avenue was a promising, growing area, and a popular
destination for many young families to settle. As Edmonton continued to grow and turn into the big city we
know today, the appeal of life in other neighborhoods in Edmonton lead to many of the inhabitants of the
Alberta Avenue area relocating to different parts of the city.
118 Avenue. However, turn the clock back to the early 90’s and Alberta Avenue was once situated on the
outskirts of Edmonton, in what was then known as the North Edmonton Village.
As Edmonton entered into a booming period of rapid growth, the Alberta Avenue area quickly became a
popular location for various factories to be built and, thanks of the low costs of land, it invited immigrants
and local workers to settle in the area. As its growth continued, Alberta Avenue soon built local churches,
schools, a library, and a community league that in turn built playgrounds, pools, tennis courts and a hall to
serve the growing community. For many years, Alberta Avenue was a promising, growing area, and a popular
destination for many young families to settle. As Edmonton continued to grow and turn into the big city we
know today, the appeal of life in other neighborhoods in Edmonton lead to many of the inhabitants of the
Alberta Avenue area relocating to different parts of the city.
By the late 1970’s, Alberta Avenue was facing an economic downturn.
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Historic 118th Avenue, a walk down the street
Credit: http://avenuehistory.org/
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| Historic 118th Avenue, old curling club Credit: http://avenuehistory.org/ |
In the face of a booming Edmonton, the once popular Alberta Avenue became filled with vacant houses and
business’ and swirling rumours of drugs and prostitution within the area. For over a decade, Alberta Ave stayed
in disarray and as such kept many Edmontonians from moving back into the area. However, there were still
those unwilling to give up on the area and, despite the stigma placed onto the Alberta Avenue area, there has
been a consistent effort in recent years by the City of Edmonton and residents to revitalize the area. For example,
“the City and the Landlord and Tenant Advisory Board (LTAB) are working with the Edmonton Police Service
on a Crime Free Multi-Housing Program to educate landlords around the principles of Crime Prevention Through
Environmental Design”, according to a neighborhood housing profile released by the City of Edmonton. As well,
a Safe Housing program started in the area with a multi-disciplinary committee devoted to the regulation of rental
properties. Alberta Avenue was among the first on the list for the Business Revitalization program and participates
in the Neighborhood Renewal project to further improve the atmosphere of the community.
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| Modern day 118th Avenue, signpost Credit: Breann Gurney |
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| Modern day 118th Avenue, local neighborhood Credit: Michaela Ream |
The charm of the Ave relies on its diversity and multiculturalism, as it features a wide range of businesses,
restaurants, and cultural centres. The 2011 census report concluded that there are various cultures residing in the
North Edmonton community, such as Aboriginal peoples, East and Southeast Asians, Asians, Europeans, and
Central and South Americans. In recent years, there has been a surge of young families and business people
moving into the area.
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Modern day 118th Avenue, Deep Freeze art
Credit: Breann Gurney
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Organizations in the area that provide social opportunities and inclusive programs include: the Alberta Ave Community
League which promotes an active and connected community, and the North Central Interagency Network which
provides support for newcomers, in addition to many other neighborhood events held at venues such as the Nina
Haggerty Centre for the Arts that hosts Community Night every Tuesday, and the Delton Intercultural Family Nights
hosted on the third Thursday of each month by Delton Elementary School.
These efforts are noted and inspiring residents like neighborhood volunteer Virginia Potkins to act. Potkins leads a
collective kitchen offered to members of the community league in their newly renovated kitchen, where families can
learn new recipes and cook alongside their families and friends. She began the registered event on Nov. 19 to help connect the community. “Community building is something that we are missing in our communities and the disconnect
is creating a lot of lonely people.” said Potkins. As the community has worked together once more to bring back the
former popularity of the Alberta Ave area, they have united under a banner of “We Believe in 118.”
collective kitchen offered to members of the community league in their newly renovated kitchen, where families can
learn new recipes and cook alongside their families and friends. She began the registered event on Nov. 19 to help connect the community. “Community building is something that we are missing in our communities and the disconnect
is creating a lot of lonely people.” said Potkins. As the community has worked together once more to bring back the
former popularity of the Alberta Ave area, they have united under a banner of “We Believe in 118.”
It is a call that is slowly but surely seeing the revitalization of Alberta Ave.
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