Opinion: CRL benefits downtown Edmonton and the Education District.
As downtown post-secondary institutions, MacEwan University and NorQuest College have experienced the profound and positive impacts of the Community Revitalization Levy (CRL) on Edmonton’s core. The CRL is more than a financial tool – it is a catalyst for creating a dynamic, inclusive and sustainable downtown that benefits students, faculty, staff, residents, businesses and visitors alike.
The CRL enables the City of Edmonton to invest in critical infrastructure and public spaces by leveraging future property tax revenues from new developments, rather than increasing the tax burden on current property owners. This approach has already helped fund improved streetscapes, utility upgrades, additional green space and enhanced walkability, all of which make downtown more attractive and accessible.
These investments have fuelled the growth of key community organizations and amenities, including arts, culture and entertainment venues. Major institutions like the Winspear Centre and the Oilers Entertainment Group have anchored downtown’s renewal, while the CRL has created conditions for a diverse range of organizations to thrive. This resurgence draws people into the core, boosts local enterprise and builds community pride.
For MacEwan and NorQuest, the revitalization brings the Education District to life and supports broader social and economic goals. Together, we bring approximately 30,000 people downtown each day, with student populations projected to grow further by 2030. A welcoming, safe and lively city centre enhances learning, supports well-being, helps attract new talent and fosters continued development. The daily presence of our students energizes the core, strengthens local businesses and reinforces Edmonton’s identity as a dynamic, education-focused urban hub.
We see this happening elsewhere. Recently, the City of Calgary allocated $9 million to the University of Calgary to relocate their School of Architecture, Planning and Landscape to a new downtown location, recognizing the significant impact of students, faculty and staff in energizing their downtown. As our student populations continue to grow, the need for accessible housing, public spaces and amenities will only increase – needs that the CRL is uniquely positioned to help address.
Looking ahead, extending the CRL will enable Edmonton to continue investing in projects that benefit everyone: new public spaces, support for entertainment and music, improved transit access and the remediation of underused land. These improvements support not only education and business, but also the arts, culture and community organizations that make downtown Edmonton a place where people want to live, learn and connect.
We encourage city leaders to recognize the value the CRL brings to all facets of downtown life and to support its continued use as a tool for building a stronger, more vibrant Edmonton.
Originally published in the Edmonton Journal on June 23, 2025. Submitted by Dr. Annette Trimbee, president and vice-chancellor of MacEwan University, and Carolyn Campbell, president and CEO of NorQuest College.