Outdoor space with benches overlooking the river valley

The Centre City Optimization program is a collaborative approach to provide core service enhancements to promote cleanliness, safety and vibrancy to downtown and adjacent areas.

Since its launch as a pilot project in 2023, the program has evolved into an ongoing program with a continued focus on addressing core service concerns in a timely manner with 3 teams: Clean Team, Green Team and Inspection Services. These teams work to identify and address issues and deficiencies in public spaces, including:

  • Special waste disposal (needles, biohazards)
  • Beautification and maintenance of parks
  • Landscaping, horticulture beds and turf
  • Enhanced graffiti removal
  • Proactive inspecting and reporting maintenance issues

Team Roles and Responsibilities

Our teams resolve issues identified through internal inspections and 311 notifications from the public. Through ongoing engagement with Business Improvement areas (BIAs) and partners, teams respond promptly to issues in the Centre City area.

Inspection Services

  • Proactive Inspections
  • Early Detection
  • Routing Work
  • Enhanced Citizen Satisfaction

Clean Team

  • Litter Clean Up
  • Needle Pick Up
  • Biohazardous Waste

Green Team

  • Shrub Beds Maintenance
  • Turf Mowing/Trimming
  • Landscape Restoration

Centre City Program Area

City Centre Optimization map

The Centre City Optimization program focuses on a defined area of The City Plan, including:

  • Three Business Improvement Areas: Downtown, Chinatown and North Edge
  • The following neighbourhoods: Wîhkwêntôwin, Queen Mary Park, Central McDougall, McCauley, Boyle Street and Downtown.

Download the City Centre Optimization Program Map

Key Accomplishments in 2024

In 2024, the Centre City Optimization program:

  • Responded to 14,270 notifications in the Centre City area
  • 24,590 needles and 23,648 bags of litter collected
  • 13,651 large items and 528 shopping carts collected
  • 5,387 issues of graffiti addressed
  • Coordinated with other teams to resolve 95.08% of public-reported 311 issues
  • Increased the perceptions of cleanliness and safety improved by 9 points and 4 points, respectively, comparing 2024 to 2023
  • Improved the satisfaction of garbage collection and litter pick-up
  • Provided site servicing of parks every 1-1.5 days during the summer
  • Enhanced snow and ice control at 25 parks

Related Programs

graffiti feature
Graffiti Removal

The City of Edmonton promotes safer, cleaner communities by reducing and preventing graffiti vandalism.

person riding bike in winter
Snow and Ice Control (Paths in Parks)

City trails and walkways are cleared when the snow has accumulation of more than 2.5 cm.

Contact Us

311 Contact Centre

Phone  311 | Outside Edmonton and Video Relay Service (VRS): 780-442-5311 | TTY 711

Contact 311 Online