Outgoing Edmonton Mayor Don Iveson reflects on 14 years at city hall
CBC
Outgoing Mayor Don Iveson leaves Edmonton's city hall after 14 years on council proud of the city he's helped shape.
Iveson was first elected to Edmonton council in 2007 at the age of 28 and became mayor in 2013 at the age of 34.
In an end-of-term interview Tuesday, Iveson said he's proud of the city plan — the overarching blueprint that guides the city in building denser neighbourhoods and better transit — despite some push back over the years about infill projects and LRT.
"That narrow lot house or that garage suite has human beings and a family in it — that's now helping keep the school open and volunteering for the community league — that's part of the rejuvenation of the neighbourhood," he said.
Several elements are woven into the city plan, which council adopted in December, including better transportation corridors around existing neighbourhoods, like bike lanes downtown and in Old Strathcona.
More people started to use bike lanes since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic as an active way to get to work, go shopping and to other activities, he said.
Iveson said he also benefits from safer paths.