Edmonton (January 11, 2011) – A newly formed Downtown Vibrancy Task Force, which was created in late 2010 as an extension of Edmonton Economic Development Corporation’s ONEdmonton Leaders Forum, will accelerate the development of a strong and vibrant urban core. The ONEdmonton Leaders Forum is an initiative which brings together Greater Edmonton’s top leaders from a wide spectrum of perspectives and disciplines for common vision and direction through informed discussion, debate and action.

“We’re pleased with the progress to-date of ONEdmonton. By gathering the region’s most dynamic leaders and working with a collective voice, we’re taking another step forward in Edmonton being recognized as one of the world’s top five mid-sized cities,” says Ron Gilbertson, President and CEO of Edmonton Economic Development Corporation.

A vibrant urban core was identified by ONEdmonton as a top priority, which led to the formation of the Downtown Vibrancy Task Force. "We're pleased with the calibre of task force volunteers who recognize the tremendous potential of the downtown core to Edmonton's future,” says Randy Ferguson of Procura Real Estate Services, who is chairing the task force. The task force’s responsibilities include complementing the City of Edmonton's Capital City Downtown Plan and putting into place strategies and action plans to assist with facilitating and developing a strong, vibrant urban core in Edmonton.

The task force participated in today's fourth ONEdmonton Leaders Forum, the first session of 2011. ONEdmonton kicked off in April of 2010 focused on airport service, downtown livability, river valley development and Edmonton’s EXPO 2017 bid. The second forum helped shape ONEdmonton’s agenda with the leadership group identifying its priorities for Edmonton to become a leading mid-sized city. A vibrant urban core was identified as a top priority and was the focus of the last meeting, which led to the formation of the Downtown Vibrancy Task Force.

Media contact:
Renée Worrell
Communications Manager
780.932.4865
rworrell@edmonton.com

Edmonton Economic Development Corporation (EEDC) provides leadership in economic development, markets Edmonton as a must-see destination, manages the Shaw Conference Centre and Edmonton Research Park, and acts as a stakeholder in TEC Edmonton, a joint venture with the University of Alberta.  For more information, visit www.edmonton.com Learn more about Edmonton through the stories of people who've experienced it at www.edmontonstories.ca

Backgrounder

ONEdmonton Downtown Vibrancy Task Force members:

Bob Black – Katz Group, Executive Vice President, Sports & Entertainment
Dr. Paul Byrne - Grant MacEwan University, President & CEO 
Carolyn Campbell - University of Alberta, Assistant Dean, Executive Education
Randy Ferguson - Procura Real Estate Services, COO
Michael Janz - Edmonton Federation of Community Leagues, Marketing Director
Terry Kilburn - Avison Young, Partner
Bernie Kollman - IBM Canada, Vice President, Public Sector Alberta
David Majeski - RBC, Vice President, Real Estate & Construction
Mack Male - Paramagnus Developments, Owner
Doug McConnell - Dialog, Principal
Scott McKeen - McKeen Communications
Honourable Anne McLellan - Bennett Jones, Corporate Counsel
Carol Neuman - Next Gen
Simon O'Byrne - Stantec Consulting, Managing Sr. Principal, Practice Leader - Urban Planning
Ian O’Donnell - Downtown Edmonton Community League, Development Chair
Keith Shillington - Stantec Consulting, Vice President
Paul Verhesen - Clark Builders, President
Sheila Weatherill - EPCOR Board of Directors, Vice Chair
Richard Wong - Sutton Place Hotel, General Manager
Ralph Young - Melcor Developments, President & CEO