Edmonton has a new iconic project that will add to the story of the city. It just doesn’t know it yet. Last month The Edmonton Project was launched. What the result will be, nobody knows.
The project is a community-led initiative that aims to create a permanent place of attraction that is representative of the city’s story and pride.
Any resident, young or old, has been invited to submit their idea for what the project should be. As far as what it could be or where in the city it can go is up to the submitter.
Jeffrey Hansen-Carlson, business development director with contractor EllisDon, who is one of the co-founders of this initiative, said he had the idea for the project back in February.
He then worked to create an elaborate media plan and develop the project brand.
He said this was crucial as the brand gives it an identity people can connect with.
The project’s website, theedmontonproject.ca, features branded water bottles, pins and T-shirts.
"The value of the project is the people getting engaged in the process," said Hansen-Carlson. "At the end of the day there will be a single idea that wins. It will be something permanent in the built environment that contributes to our story. But I think it is the process that people will remember."
He said so far the team is getting around 10 submissions a day but he expects that to ramp up after project events and as the Oct. 20 deadline comes closer.
The project is backed by five companies, EllisDon, ATB, BDO, Kasian and Zag Creative. Hansen-Carlson said it has also received support from the city and Mayor Don Iveson.
"When we first sat down with the city, they asked how they could facilitate this and make it happen," he said. "It was so outside the box and we did not encounter a moment of bureaucracy. They want to see it succeed."
The first rendition of the project had more guidelines and rules for submissions and the project team was requesting the city identify land in the city where the project could go. The city refused, asking instead that the project be completely free of restrictions.
According to the project website, the goal is to "create something new and exciting that extends beyond traditional monuments and statues."
Submissions will be reviewed and shortlisted by a panel. Then, in mid-January, the top 10 submissions will be pitched live through a Design Den event before the top idea is selected by a top-secret five-person panel.
Hansen-Carlson said while the project began as business development idea, he and EllisDon are much more invested in the idea and process of it than the actual construction of it and would step aside if the city wanted to tender it out.
"We are just really proud we can contribute to Edmonton’s story," he said.
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