McCauley, Edmonton

In the City of Edmonton's 2014 municipal census, McCauley had a population of 5,167 living in 3,515 dwellings,[6] a +23.5% change from its 2012 population of 4,183.[10] With a land area of 1.5 km² (0.58 sq mi), it had a population density of 3,444.7 people/km² in 2014.[5][6]

Since revitalization started (2008) to November 11, 2013,[14] 26 houses have been built, 40 new businesses have joined the area and there have been over 30 facade improvement projects. Many young families continually move into the area.[15]

In Progress

• City Council approved a revitalization strategy for McCauley in December 2010 that included an investment of $10.5 million toward revitalizing the neighbourhood.[16] The project is scheduled to break ground in March 2014 and continue into 2015.[17]
• Beginning in 2012, McCauley is being serviced[18] under the Drainage Neighbourhood Renewal Program. This program focuses on renewal and replacement of sanitary and storm sewers.
• On February 25, 2013 City Council passed a motion and will start evaluating option 2[19] for 111 Avenue redevelopment with a target area between 82 Street and 101 Street, the entire northern boundary of McCauley community.

Option 2: Improve Physical Infrastructure along Norwood Boulevard. Coordinate a streetscape plan that incorporates landscape infrastructure conducive to enhancing connectivity to surrounding initiatives and projects. This could include intersection modifications and associated landscape improvements on 96 Street and 95 Street linking to neighbourhood revitalization projects, business revitalization zones and others. Adapt existing eligibility requirements for the Façade Improvement Program and the Development Incentive Program to enable property owners along Norwood Boulevard to access funding. Currently, Façade Improvement Program funding is limited to projects within existing Business Revitalization Zone boundaries. A capital program and cost estimate for streetscape improvements would need to be developed. Physical infrastructure improvements are generally seen as a mechanism for encouraging business development in a given area.[20]

• Capital Tower, located at 10028-106 Avenue has a history of violence and crime. As of March 2013, Helm Property Management and Realty now controls the building. Currently $2 million has been invested in a complete facelift of the building, its façade and the physical suites. Security has been addressed by mass evictions, 24-hour security and a 9 pm curfew. Edmonton Police Services reports calls to the building have decreased from approximately 4 per day to 1 per week. Helm is working to make Capital Tower a choice rental option for the Downtown student population once its transformation is complete.[21]
• On May 1, 2013, 96 Street between 106 Avenue and 111 Avenue was renamed "Church Street" and given heritage status and protection. The City is investing $500,000 within the next two years to enhance the character of the area.[22]
• On February 4, 2014, The City has reopened interest in continuing with exploring the idea of a TOD at Stadium LRT Station. It had previously tabled the idea in late 2012.[23]

Completed

• Opened on March 13, 2012, the retrofitted and expanded Commonwealth Community Recreation Centre opened its doors. Costing $112.34 million,[24] with 220,000 sq-ft of recreation space. The facility features a full aquatic centre, field house, fitness centre, indoor track and various multi-purpose/meeting rooms.
• On October 31, 2012, a three-year social housing moratorium[25] was granted by City Council on inner city neighbourhoods, including McCauley. The moratorium is meant to assist more market housing development and redistribution of social services elsewhere.
• The Edmonton Remand Centre located at 9660-104 Avenue has been closed[26] and relocated to a new facility at 127 Street and 186 Avenue, thus relocating the largest social service in the area. The facility has been turned over to Alberta Infrastructure to determine its future.[27]
• Boys and Girls Clubs of Edmonton located at 9425-109A Avenue received $550,000 towards a facelift of the building.[28]
• Commonwealth Stadium completed a $23.8 million facelift in August 2013. The facelift included new seats, repaved parking lots, new score board and new lockers.[29]
• In 2013, Stadium LRT Station underwent renovations including platform replacement. The station remained open with a temporary platform and was able to continue to service customers.[30]

McCauley has access to all major forms of public transportation.

Edmonton Transit Service

Light Rail Transit

Edmonton Transit System

Public transit options in McCauley

Edmonton Transit Service's Light Rail Transit (LRT) system on the Capital Line runs through McCauley, with Stadium LRT Station and Transit Centre situated in the north east area of the neighbourhood, near Commonwealth Stadium & Rec Centre/Clarke Field. Stadium station underwent renovations which were completed in 2013.

Although not directly in McCauley proper, the community is within service distance of the Metro Line: the MacEwan station to the southwest and Kingsway/Royal Alex station to the northwest. The Metro Line opened in 2015.

Several bus routes operated by ETS pass by or end in McCauley; see List of Edmonton Transit Service bus routes.

• Due to impending opening of the Metro Line, some studies have shown that real estate within 800 meters of a station will increase 10-20% in value.[31]
• In 2014, McCauley recorded the 2nd highest increase in assessed values in Edmonton at 8.1%. Neighboring Boyle Street was 1st in the city with an increase of 8.8%. This large increase in property values have raised concerns regarding gentrification and some residents being priced out of their homes as the neighbourhood continues to change rapidly.[32]
• Listed as #5 as Edmonton's top 5 up and coming neighbourhoods.[33]
• From 2005 to 2012, the average price in McCauley increased from $134,927.32 to $234,985.00 - a 74.14% increase. McCauley rated 11th in Edmonton in terms of price growth, outperforming most of the city.[34]
• Breaking ground on March 3, 2014, Rogers Place is said to be a driver in the revitalization of the inner city neighbourhoods. University of Alberta economist Brad Humphreys estimated that it will add hundreds of millions of dollars to adjacent property values within a 1.6 km radius,[35] which includes McCauley. Also, Gabriel M. Ahlfeldt and Wolfgang Maennig of The London School of Economics and Political Science have made strong connections to increased real estate values within an even greater 3.0 km radius.[36]

• From 2007 to 2013, Edmonton Police Service reported a "significant" drop in property and violent crimes in Downtown and surrounding neighbourhoods. A 59% drop in property damage, 33% drop in violent crimes, and a 25% drop in other service calls was seen from the Downtown Division as a whole. Proactive policing, continued revitalization efforts and a growing core population are seen as reasons for the shift.[37]

The stats on the Edmonton crime map show significant increases in the past 4 years.

• Despite these drops in crime in the EPS Downtown Division, McCauley still has incidents of violent crime and property crime that significantly exceed the city's average.[38]

Chinatown's Hull Block built c. 1914

McCauley is currently host to 7 official City of Edmonton sites designated as Municipal Historic Resources. These resources are legally protected by bylaws from demolition and inappropriate alterations − these resources are also eligible to receive municipal assistance. McCauley is only exceed by Downtown in terms of number of sites on the registry.[45]

There are two schools in the neighbourhood, McCauley Public School (Edmonton Public Schools) and Sacred Heart Catholic School (Edmonton Catholic School District). Both are no longer fully functional schools and closed due to low student enrollment. However, both continue on with limited programs to support the community.

Adjoining neighbourhoods are Downtown to the southwest, Boyle Street to the south and southeast, Cromdale to the east, Parkdale to the northeast, Alberta Avenue to the north, Spruce Avenue to the northwest, and Central McDougall to the west.

• Edmonton Federation of Community Leagues

• McCauley Community League
• Boyle McCauley News
• Chinatown & Little Italy Business Association