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Edmonton's Bold Revitalization Plan: Combating Vacancies & Derelict Properties
Edmonton's Bold Revitalization Plan: Combating Vacancies & Derelict Properties
Edmonton's Bold Revitalization Plan: Combating Vacancies & Derelict Properties
Reviving Edmonton: Tackling abandoned buildings & boosting local economy! 🔥
Edmonton Buzz Team :)
Mar 30, 2026
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Trivia Question❓What animal just named Edmonton’s "Critter of the Year." Answer at the bottom of the newsletter |
Happy Monday! 🥂
Edmonton is revitalizing derelict properties. It's a long wait, but we are now here...
Lets get to it!
The Edmonton Buzz Team 🐝 |
Our featured story | ||
In the news this week |
Edmonton is stepping up efforts against derelict properties in its older neighborhoods.
Since 2023, the city has imposed a higher property tax, about triple the regular rate, on homes in severe disrepair, urging owners to restore or redevelop them.
By mid-2024, over 15% of such properties had already seen restoration work.
In a bid to boost compliance, a new prorated tax forgiveness program lets owners earn refunds once they clean up or demolish derelict homes.
The strategy expanded citywide in 2026, allocating more resources to tackle rundown properties beyond the core neighborhoods.
Results show progress: 30% of derelict homes were demolished and 24% sold within a year.
The city is now looking at similar tax penalties for vacant commercial buildings, especially after a fire at an abandoned site reignited safety concerns.
Driven by robust retail and favorable economic trends, Edmonton’s crackdown on derelict properties is helping to revitalize communities and boost growth. Read More... |
Today's issue is powered by the good people at our favorite travel company | ||
Take that trip at a discount in 2026! |
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What's happening? | ||
Things to do this week |
1. Outdoor and Nature |
University of Alberta Observatory: Night Sky Viewing Enjoy a guided tour of the cosmos using the university's professional telescopes. If the weather is clear, you can spot planets, star clusters, and nebulae.
Winter Walk on the River Valley Trails Explore North America’s largest urban parkland. The Birch Tree and River Loop trails offer stunning views of the North Saskatchewan River as the city transitions into spring.
John Janzen Nature Centre: Tegler Discovery Zone While the main building undergoes repairs, the outdoor trails and partnership exhibits remain a gateway to learning about local wildlife habitat.
Muttart Conservatory: Tropical Feature Pyramid Step into a "Jurassic World" themed tropical landscape featuring banana plants and vibrant bromeliads—a perfect indoor nature escape.
Kiwi Nurseries: Easter Egg Hunt A nature-themed egg hunt set within the beautiful grounds of a local nursery, perfect for getting fresh air with the family.
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2. Shows & Entertainment 📺 |
Free Open Mic Comedy at The Grindstone Watch local talent or try your own hand at stand-up in this high-energy, unscripted weekly event.
Thursday Night Improv A night of unscripted scenes and hilarity based entirely on audience suggestions, featuring some of Edmonton's best improvisers.
The Wizard of Oz at The Citadel Theatre A grand musical production of the timeless classic, perfect for a high-quality evening of local theatre.
PAW Patrol Live! "A Mighty Adventure" A live interactive extravaganza for the younger crowd, featuring Chase and the rest of the pups on a mission.
The Price is Right Live The iconic game show comes to life on stage, offering fans a chance to play for prizes in a live setting.
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3. Arts, Crafts & Culture 🎭 |
Art Gallery of Alberta: Free Admission Night The last Thursday of the month features free access to all galleries, allowing you to explore world-class exhibits at no cost.
Preserving Your Prized Possessions Workshop Learn from professional archivists and conservators at the Royal Alberta Museum on how to protect your family history and letters.
Spring Play Days: Storytime & Crafts Daily free storytime and craft activities hosted at various Indigo and Chapters locations across the city.
Indigo Kids Storytime: Origami Stars Workshop A focused creative session for kids and parents to learn the art of paper folding together.
5 Artists 1 Love: 20th Anniversary Exhibition A stunning celebration of Black history and contemporary art in Edmonton through the eyes of five distinct artists.
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Spring Break Fun at Mill Woods Town Centre A whole week of free interactive activities, including Lego building and supervised craft sessions for children.
Staples Kids: FIMO Clay Tuxedo Cat Make & Take A hands-on workshop where kids can create their own clay cat and take it home.
Mastermind Toys Spring Break Events Daily "make-and-take" toy events including Lego Bush Planes and Play-Doh mini critters.
TELUS World of Science: Friday Night Trivia A family-friendly trivia night hosted at the Purple Pear Restaurant inside the science centre.
Royal Alberta Museum: Spring Break Adventure Explore "Alberta’s coolest creatures" from buzzing bees to sleepy bears with interactive exhibits designed for kids.
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Downtown Defrost: Electronic Music Festival Kick off the "defrost" of winter with a massive dance party in a heated tent featuring world-class DJs and art installations.
Edmonton Pub Trivia Night Test your knowledge in a competitive but social setting with friends. Great for a low-cost night out.
Open Mic Night at Bent Stick Brewery Grab a local pint and enjoy a variety of musical acts in an intimate, industrial brewery setting.
Trivia and Wing Night! Combine cheap wings with a lively trivia contest.
The Aviary’s 10 Year Anniversary Bash Celebrate a decade of one of Edmonton's beloved indie music venues with live local bands.
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Spring Break Skate at Rogers Place A rare opportunity for the public to skate on the same ice as the Edmonton Oilers. Tickets include a chance to explore parts of the arena.
Edmonton Oilers vs. Chicago Blackhawks Watch the Oilers continue their playoff push in a high-stakes home game against the Blackhawks.
Indoor Stand-Up Paddleboarding Try your hand at balancing on water in a controlled, indoor environment during the spring break sessions.
Spring Break Inflatable Swim A fun, active swimming session featuring massive inflatables in the pool—great for kids to burn off energy.
Fitset Ninja Spring Break Camp (Showcase) While the camp is paid, visitors can often watch the end-of-day ninja course runs for free as participants tackle obstacles.
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English Speaking Practice Club A friendly, supportive community meetup for those looking to practice their English conversational skills.
Fantasy Social 2Connect Event A social mixer designed to help Edmontonians meet new people and build local connections through structured social games.
Free Bachata Dancing Class & Social Learn the basics of Bachata and then stay for a social dance session with local enthusiasts.
NEVERTHESAME CLUBMATCHA 01 A niche social gathering for matcha enthusiasts to taste and learn about different grades of tea.
Salisbury Farmers Market A weekly community meetup point where you can browse local goods and meet neighbors.
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Our Food & Drink, and Happy Hours sections are now featured exclusively in our sister publication Edmunchie.com : Click here
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It's getting cold... | ||
This Week's Weather |
Weather Forecast: March 30 – April 3, 2026
The period will see a slow transition from winter flurries to slightly milder spring conditions. Expect a mix of overcast skies and intermittent sunshine, with temperatures consistently dipping below freezing overnight. It is a great week to balance outdoor walks with indoor events while the city "defrosts."
📅 Monday, March 30, 2026 ❄️ Chance of flurries/Partly Sunny High: -4°C | Low: -12°C
📅 Tuesday, March 31, 2026 🌤️ Partly Cloudy High: 1°C | Low: -9°C
📅 Wednesday, April 1, 2026 ☁️ Mainly Cloudy High: -1°C | Low: -5°C
📅 Thursday, April 2, 2026 ☁️ Cloudy High: 0°C | Low: -5°C
📅 Friday, April 3, 2026 🌤️ Sunny Breaks High: 2°C | Low: -4°C
Source: The Weather Network - Edmonton |
In coming... | ||
Related stories from Edmonton Scoop |
💡 Answer to Trivia Question: The Bison |
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