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The Centre City Optimization Project is an initiative to quickly identify and respond to issues affecting the cleanliness, upkeep, safety and vibrancy of the city’s downtown and adjacent areas.
The Centre City Optimization Project began core enhancement work in 2023 in and around a defined area of Edmonton’s downtown.
A dedicated team of up to 60 City staff members is strategically deployed daily to conduct enhancement work throughout the area. This work is integrated with three sub-units. Together they swiftly identify and respond to issues on City property which impact perceptions of safety and cleanliness.
Operates seven days a week, 10 hours a day, to address “hotspot” maintenance and reactive cleanliness concerns, including:
The Landscape Team is committed to improving sightlines and safety in identified problem areas, as well as restoration work to enhance green infrastructure, including:
This collaborative approach ensures alignment with the Downtown Vibrancy Strategy and City Plan goals. The Centre City Team collaborates closely with other City branches to ensure alignment with capital renewal and reconstruction projects, vibrancy goals and community activations and events. Regular engagement with internal and external partners, including Business Improvement Areas, Integrated Infrastructure Services and Civic Events ensures the team responds promptly to emergent needs.
The Centre City Team promotes clean and safe public spaces on City-owned property in Edmonton’s downtown. The team’s focus areas include City-owned buildings and sidewalks, signs, parks, infrastructure and downtown public spaces. Maintaining a welcoming environment in these areas requires a multi-faceted approach with expertise in mitigation, cleaning and maintenance work that includes:
The City Centre Team is not responsible for any repairs or cleanup on private property. All private businesses are responsible for maintaining their own buildings and sidewalks. This includes snow and ice removal, graffiti removal and litter and debris cleanup. Keeping your property clean and welcoming is a great way to encourage customers to your business. For more information on the responsibilities of businesses in the area, refer to the Centre City Information Sheet.
To report any issues of cleanliness or safety to the Centre City Team, please contact 311.
In an effort to streamline resolutions to nuisance, waste, litter complaints and bylaw violations in the Centre City area, there have been recent changes to 311 requests, with a primary focus on waste in alleys around Business Improvement Areas (BIAs). Please refer to Guidance to Business Improvement Areas (BIAs) on Reporting Waste Concerns in Centre City that outlines the recent changes to 311 reporting. The changes help the Centre City team provide support through inspections, addressing cleanliness issues and referring items for municipal enforcement officers when required.
The City is committed to creating safe, clean and vibrant public spaces for all Edmontonians. The targeted efforts, proactive and reactive approaches and collaboration of the Centre City Optimization Project have resulted in upward trends in perceptions of cleanliness and overall safety downtown, while public satisfaction of garbage collection, litter pickup and road maintenance have also improved. Most publicly reported issues have been resolved promptly as a direct result of the project.