What We Heard: Phase 1 Public Engagement July 6, 2018
What We Heard: Phase 1 Public Engagement Youngstown Redevelopment Table of Contents About the Project... 1 Public Engagement Phase 1... 1 Tenant Information Session... 1 Community Information Session... 2 What We Heard... 2 Tenant Information Session June 5, 2018... 2 Community Information Session June 26, 2018... 3 Next Steps... 6 Lessons Learned... 6 Tenant Information Session... 6 Community Information Session... 6 Appendix A: Raw Data Feedback... 7 1. Tenant Information Session June 5, 2018... 7 2. Community Information Session June 26, 2018... 9 Appendix B: Tenant Information Session Materials... 14 Material used at the Tenant Information Session:... 14 Appendix C: Community Information Session Materials... 15 ii itstartswithhome.com/youngstown-2
About the Project Capital Region Housing (CRH), the largest provider of affordable housing in the Edmonton area, is redeveloping the Youngstown Community Housing Site in the Britannia-Youngstown neighbourhood in northwest Edmonton. Currently owned by the City of Edmonton and managed by CRH, the site consists of 134 apartments and townhomes, which were built in 1973. Having served the community of Britannia-Youngstown for over 40 years, the buildings are at the end of their life cycle. The project is being led by Capital Region Housing, in partnership with the City of Edmonton and in consultation with Stantec. Public Engagement Phase 1 In Phase 1, two engagement activities took place in 2018, including a Tenant Information Session on June 5, 2018 and a Community Information Session June 26, 2018. The purpose of Phase 1 engagement was to meet tenants, community members and stakeholders; introduce the redevelopment process; and, discuss future engagement opportunities. Tenant Information Session On August 23, 2017 a Barbeque and presentation with current tenants introduced the project just prior to the project being put on hold. On June 5, 2018, a Tenant Information Session was held in the courtyard of the Youngstown Community Housing Site (16604 102A Avenue) from 4:00-6:00 PM to re-introduce the project to the tenants. Postcards were mailed to the tenants and posters placed in the buildings at Youngstown providing information regarding the Tenant Information Session. There were approximately 40 adults and 25 children in attendance, in addition to 11 staff from CRH, the City, and Stantec. Many of the people in attendance participated in the 2017 Tenant Information Session. The purpose of the event was to: Re-introduce the project to tenants. Build trust and relationships with those directly affected by the project. Gain feedback that may inform the project, including questions, concerns, and ideas. Event summary: A tent and folding chairs were set up throughout the courtyard to create a casual event setting. The CEO of CRH, Greg Dewling, spoke at 4:30, followed by a short Q&A period with tenants. Tenants also had the opportunity to voice feedback to CRH, City, and Stantec staff throughout the event (see Appendix A). itstartswithhome.com/youngstown-2 1
Four story boards and a site map were displayed to give context and visual information to tenants (see Appendix B). Hot dogs, vegetarian hot dogs, water, and pop were served to those in attendance. Advertisement consisted of a postcard that was mail dropped to all tenants two weeks prior to the event, as well as posters placed in public gathering areas on site (see Appendix B). Community Information Session On June 26, 2018, a Community Information Session was held at the Britannia Youngstown Community League (15927 105 Avenue) from 6:00-8:00 pm. Postcards were mailed to households in the neighbourhood. There were approximately 20 people in attendance, in addition to approximately 15 staff from CRH, the City, and Stantec. The purpose of the event was to: Introduce the project to community residents, businesses, and other stakeholders. Build trust and relationships with those directly affected by the project. Gain feedback that may inform the project, including questions, concerns, and ideas. Event summary: Attendees had the opportunity to voice feedback to CRH, City, and Stantec staff throughout the event who took notes (see Appendix A). Chairs were set up facing a presentation screen which played CRH videos throughout the event. The CEO of CRH, Greg Dewling, spoke at 6:30 and gave a short presentation (see Appendix C). Story boards were displayed throughout the room to give context and visual information to attendees, and a graffiti wall and two air photos of the neighbourhood were set up with post-it notes, markers, and sticker dots, to allow feedback (see Appendix C). The event was advertised through postcard notices that were sent to 3800 addresses in the Britannia Youngstown neighbourhood, including residential buildings, businesses, and the current Youngstown Community Housing Site (see Appendix C). Posters were placed in prominent community locations and CRH advertised the event on the project website and social media. What We Heard Tenant Information Session June 5, 2018 Notes were taken at the session through conversations with participants as well as during the question and answer session following Greg s presentation. Questions: The most common questions and concerns that tenants expressed were related to project timelines, the process of moving out, and how to find a new home. There were also concerns about site maintenance while the new redevelopment is in the planning phase. Other questions involved the redeveloped site, and focused on building accessibility, amenities, and parking. 2 itstartswithhome.com/youngstown-2
Positive feedback about the current site: Tenants frequently expressed that the location of the site is ideal because of its proximity to shopping and schools. They also identified that the surrounding neighbourhood is quiet, has nice trees, and has a good community feel. Many expressed excitement about future redevelopment and a desire to return to the site once complete. Negative feedback about the current site: Maintenance and amenities were identified as inadequate. Maintenance problems included broken windows and doors, dirty hallways, and plumbing issues. Amenity issues included a laundry area without a card re-loader and a lack of play equipment in the central courtyard. Tenants discussed problems with the buildings themselves, including cracked walls and falling bricks. Some tenants expressed feeling unsafe, both from seeing violence onsite and from a lack of lighting between the site and Stony Plain Road. Ideas for improvement: Tenants expressed that the site has great potential based on its size and location. Improvements include vehicle access to the nearby grocery store, a basketball court and/or playground on site, and design similar to other new CRH properties. Overall, the event was well-received, and tenants expressed interest in contributing to the design of the redeveloped site during future community consultation events. The relocation process will be difficult, and many expressed that they will miss the ideal location of their current home. However, some welcome the opportunity to move elsewhere and many are excited to return to a newly redeveloped home. Community Information Session June 26, 2018 Feedback from the event included notes from conversations with attendees, post-it notes on site maps, the graffiti board, and 14 completed feedback forms. The following themes were identified following amalgamation of all event feedback. Community Impacts: There were many questions about the effects of redevelopment on the surrounding neighbourhood residents and infrastructure, including impacts to local schools, traffic patterns, street parking, crosscutting traffic from Mayfield Common, and sewer system capacity. Area Redevelopment Plan and City policies: Some questions were voiced by local residents regarding whether the Jasper Place Area Redevelopment Plan will be followed. They expressed a desire for the development to align with the Plan, and if it will not, to clearly explain why and connect with the community before applications for Plan amendments are submitted. One attendee also identified problems with miscommunication among City departments during multiple major projects in the area. itstartswithhome.com/youngstown-2 3
Ideas for redevelopment: Various ideas were provided with respect to the nature of the new development: Seniors-specific housing, 3+ bedroom units, play opportunities for children and green space, townhouses on lower levels, balconies, an elevator, disabled parking spots, underground parking, multiple bathrooms per unit, sustainability measures such as solar panels, and indoor community space. Support was also voiced for the mixed market model. Transit accessibility and impacts: Due to the LRT plan and bus network redesign, there were various questions about transit accessibility to the site. It was identified that an increase in density will create more demand for transit, but that the proposed LRT stop is too far away to be easily accessed. Many attendees identified that they use the bus stops on Stony Plain Road but feel unsafe walking to the stops. Suggestions were made to have increased bus service near the site or through Mayfield Common. Connectivity and safety: Major pedestrian connections with the site include a path to Mayfield Common, the path north of the cemetery, and walking to Stony Plain Road. Concerns over safety were expressed with respect to lighting and problem people / drug dealing around the cemetery. Residents identified that safe connections to Mayfield Common, bus stops, schools, and parks are crucial and can be improved. Questions: Various questions were asked which should be addressed in future phases of engagement. These include the type of buildings on site, building configuration, parking plans, how the tenant relocation process will occur, and impacts on local schools. Exit Surveys: The engagement event had 20 people in attendance and was well-received. Data from the exit survey forms is as follows: 4 itstartswithhome.com/youngstown-2
Where do you live? 1 1 Will you come to the next open house? Maybe 7% 2 10 Yes 93% Britannia-Youngstown Outside of Edmonton Elsewhere in Edmonton No response Engagement Event Feedback Did the large boards help you understand the project better? Were the staff attending helpful? Were the staff attending approachable? Were the date and time convenient? Did you find the event informative? 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 5 (Yes) 4 3 (Fairly) 2 1 (No) itstartswithhome.com/youngstown-2 5
10 How do you want to tell us your ideas about the project design? * 8 6 4 2 0 In-person events Paper form Online survey Next Steps *multiple responses were allowed for this question Phase 2 of public engagement will begin in Fall 2018 and involve generating and discussing ideas about the design of the redevelopment. A community event for this purpose will be widely advertised at that time through postcards mailed to residents of Britannia-Youngstown, notifications on CRH social media and the project website, and posted billboard signs. For updates on the Youngstown Community Housing Project and more information, visit the project webpage: Lessons Learned Tenant Information Session www.itstartswithhome.com/youngstown-2 Boards were blowing over in the wind make sure to bring tape for outdoor events. There was a significant amount of food remaining, which had to be packed up and frozen. In the future, takeaway containers for attendees to take home extra food would be beneficial. Ensure communications are available in print form for those without internet access. Community Information Session To order a road-side sign, three days notice is required prior to installation. Add information about what the meeting is about (the project, CRH) on the postcard to provide context and incentives for people to attend. We should also add a website link. Extra tablecloths were needed. The event location did not have a bottle recycling bin. The postcard notice should have contact information on it to provide more information to potential attendees and help us gauge event interest. Venue needs to be wheelchair accessible. Request representation from EPSB and ECSD. Having Greg there was good and showed respect. 6 itstartswithhome.com/youngstown-2
Don t use red dots or red stickies. Add explanation on dots as to what they represent. Provide sufficient space for people to move around the popular maps (air photos). Follow up the public meeting with a blog to post on community league website provide project description, background, info on CRH, website Appendix A: Raw Data Feedback 1. Tenant Information Session June 5, 2018 Complete notes (raw data) from discussions with tenants are below, as categorized into identified themes. Site Positives: Good neighbourhood Walk to shopping Want to stay here like the close shopping Good area Love the neighbourhood, kid goes to school here Quiet, trees, good community, location (kids can visit), want to move back Kids who live elsewhere here come to play with their friends, so it is a community space Excited for the future Site Negatives: The buildings/units are not adequate closets and windows are not good Door needs fixing since December (fireman came in and knocked on door broke in and never fixed) There should be better background checks and screenings by the law and other tenants should be aware of it o Some people living below had street people in and out, they drugged up a girl and dragged her into the apartment building, and the tenant got beat up I don t have computer or cell phone so can t look at internet There are street people digging in garbage every day and we get blamed for it not our problem Hallways are never swept or vacuumed Laundry room is not clean Need to tear down and start over you can see the wind blowing through the balcony door and other windows You can see cracks in building when you walk up the stairs You can see brick coming down Very dusty have to wash floors every day, more in summer Warping windows all the time You know the building is old itstartswithhome.com/youngstown-2 7
We are putting good money into old buildings No way to load laundry cards around no 7/11 or other location to do so. Need a machine in the laundry room to load the cards. Cost is same as main street, $5/load Security walk to Stony Plain Road has no sidewalk or lighting Plumbing needs fixing Closest CRH place to move to is near West Edmonton Mall Things to add/change about the site: Basketball court Vehicle access to Save-On-Foods Playground Want a park within the site for kids Like the Clareview site The new developments by CRH seem really good Questions during discussions: How long will it take? What if I don t like where I m placed? Timing for move, can I come back? How long do I have to move away? Where are we going, how are we going to afford the move, and what will this process be like? Will we get a home as nice as the one we have? What will happen with schools when we move? Other comments: During redevelopment, some will miss the accessibility to the commercial areas that are walking distance from their homes, while others are eager to relocate to other parts of City. Intrigued that their feedback during the community consultations would help inform the design of what the future development will look like. Many want to move out prior to being given notice and have begun transfer applications. Town Hall Questions: Will tenants that move out go to another CRH property or help you move into a market style? Will we be able to stay on the same side of the city? What about people with canes/wheelchairs? Will there be accessible units? What will be done over the 2 years until we move out? My apartment is in shambles do I have to wait until I move out for maintenance? What has been done since last year? Are there going to be balconies in the new building? What will happen with parking to avoid the cars freezing? 8 itstartswithhome.com/youngstown-2
If we know you re building in 2 years, can we move now? How long will construction take? What if you have a family and the child wants to move out on their own will CRH help with that? Can we move back? How can we give feedback? 2. Community Information Session June 26, 2018 Complete notes (raw data) from discussions with tenants, post-its on maps, and feedback forms are below, as categorized into identified themes. Area Redevelopment Plan and City policies: Desire to follow ARP lots of work put in and it is often ignored If you re going more than 4 stories explain why before you do the planning hot button issue otherwise you lose community members We are supposed to be protected by ARP This project could be rejected if you violate the ARP ARP How does this affect the ARP or is it exempt? Disconnects between planning projects like neighbourhood renewal and sewer upgrades departments need to communicate Community impacts: Parking is a concern parking in neighbourhood Impacts on schools? o Make sure we build new schools with the project in mind Sewer system needs to be upgraded Open up between malls concern traffic for runway Traffic to the area Stress on sewers Don t want thoroughfare to Mayfield Road o Ditto Speak to the school districts to ensure they will have capacity to accommodate densification Speak to the City about upgrading sewer system to accommodate densification Concern with traffic access with increased density. Could there be access from Mayfield common? Access from Mayfield Common to complex may be ok but not cross cutting into community itstartswithhome.com/youngstown-2 9
Ideas for redevelopment: Greg noted that someone told him they want seniors-specific housing on part of site Mixed market is a good idea We love redevelopment, great place to bring children and seniors. We need more space for seniors. Social Housing should be a comfortable place for people to visit or walk through I d rather see the buildings built out of brick 3 bedrooms plus Seniors Can there be a senior-specific building? Park is not used by residents of Youngstown development too much kids use the green space; keep this space. Lack of current play opportunities Ability to keep eyes on kids while playing is great Keep townhouses/families with younger kids on lower floors access to yard, eyes on yard opportunities important. Like the image of Londonderry shown with townhouses on lower levels and apartments above, with green space between. Play area/courtyard should have fence or barrier to prevent kids from running into roadway. Lots of kids use their bikes in summer. Community garden would be good, but needs to be fenced Balconies would be good gardening opportunities. Need elevator, if apartment building mobility issues Fix the park in Gordon-Drynan. Lots of potential. Development needs to include ground level homes, elevator. Go mixed market for the development. Well-designed density is welcome! Community League is well used. No need for more community space Redo Community League Park - connection to Stony Plain pedestrian is important Park/green space Like green space in project and park to the north Maintain walking access to shopping Consider micro-generation (especially solar) as a sustainability measure and cost recuperation tool Like quiet streets Need more than one bathroom in the unit (1.5-2) Aim for no surface parking on site Parks are plentiful in this neighbourhood Playground is ok in park Not enough visitor stalls because residents use these spots (within complex) There are no disabled parking stalls in complex Useful to have indoor community space. Currently not large enough. Park space to fit ages of kids (ex. Basketball, exercise equipment) 10 itstartswithhome.com/youngstown-2
Transit accessibility and impacts: Concern about LRT being years away and bus service reductions Concern over traffic from LRT construction If double density, challenges to bus demand and parking Transit is key This increase in density supports increased transit City bus through Mayfield Common just like Oliver Square School redesign and link to transit/lrt station LRT on Stony Plain Road Transit Rather than create new walkways to connect to major roads/bus stops, can t ETS provide a bus into our neighbourhood? Bus stop dot on #5551 Use bus stops on Stony Plain feel safe at bus stop Why not better buses to Youngstown to avoid walk through graveyard Bus stop in/through Mayfield Common just like in Oliver Square talk to the City about this Cross-reference construction start dates (2020) with City s transit plan i.e. Bus routes may change; LRT Bus stops matter to this area with no LRT access (10 blocks away) Connectivity and safety: Kids walking path north of cemetery to get to school Fence between site and park to north is a challenge On Feeling Safe in the Community committee 8 years ago disbanded with ARP o We asked about increased buses or pathway with lights ($2 million) Walk in front of stores instead of travelling in dark behind cemetery Walkway should be by school to bus stop instead of cemetery Area is prone for drug activity why give them a free pass through cemetery Walking connectivity should be retained Concerns about city-proposed (?) walkway connection behind existing Mayfair Common CRU on cemetery side; prefer to utilize sidewalk connection across front of CRU to access Stony Plain Road. Security issue. General concern about lighting. Problem people by graveyard and Mayfield walkway There are security issues at NW corner of park some drug dealing etc. Park is used by surrounding community take kids there etc. Direct walking connection to Mayfair important community/surrounding neighbourhood also uses these connections Residents like the proximity to stores and bus stops; great part of living here. Walk through school / cemetery site itstartswithhome.com/youngstown-2 11
Traffic / cars go behind stores in Mayfield to avoid stop sign I like being close to Save On Foods and Dollarama Homelessness in park Path to Save On through site Eyes on park Connectivity to grocery shortcuts from neighbourhood to Mayfield Common Pedestrian lights needed by post office on Mayfield shrubs, can t see Use break in fence to go to Save On Foods Use Save On Foods, Dollarama 5 mins walking everything is close I take my kids to the outdoor swimming pool Questions: Youngstown Redevelopment How many people came to public meetings and the public hearing for the Lendrum project? Where is the site? Will surrounding houses be torn down? What will happen with the parking? Will the design be townhouses or apartments? Will the school design change? Will there be a high rise? Is an option to have one high rise with the rest left as green space? What will the buildings be townhouses? Apartment buildings? Questions about tenancy/moving process some concern about what the process would be, need clarity Are the buildings going to be in the same configuration as they are now? What sort of comments did residents have (considering the difference in people that live in community long term residents and younger people with families)? I m curious, will you build high-rises? Engagement feedback: The Glenwood Community League is not hearing much from residents they are far enough away from the project and don t seem to have concern Liked the postcard to inform Don t go rezoning before going to neighbourhood Good to see pictures from other projects Good job, information is provided. Wanted Q & A to be as scheduled Recycle bin for bottles would be nice. It's very important to consult with transit, sewer rehab team, EPS, Mayfield Common Shopping Centre, Westlawn Cemetery, and Edmonton Schools to ensure you understand the impact of this project and hear feedback. Facebook pages (Community League) is a good way to communicate Other comments: 12 itstartswithhome.com/youngstown-2
Current tenant o Youngstown complex looked like new in 1992 (when she moved in) o Excited that they have priority to return to the site Pathway through cemetery would encourage prostitution Youngstown Redevelopment itstartswithhome.com/youngstown-2 13
Appendix B: Tenant Information Session Materials Material used at the Tenant Information Session: Story boards Postcard notices and posters Youngstown Redevelopment 14 itstartswithhome.com/youngstown-2
Appendix C: Community Information Session Materials The following materials were used at the Community Information Session: CRH presentation given by Greg Dewling, CEO Story boards Graffiti wall Context air photos Postcard notices and posters itstartswithhome.com/youngstown-2 15