Commercial Sector  

St. Albert commercial opportunities are starting to crystallize in the annexed lands along St. Albert Trail in the north. Landrex Development is starting to service the lands on the east side of the Trail in Erin Ridge North. Demand is strong due to limited serviced commercial sites along St. Albert Trail at the present time.Other commercial infill continues to occur, primarily located along St. Albert Trail.

Most Notable Developments

• 5 Galarneau Place - Interior alterations and an addition with mezzanine space to Ron Hodgson Chevrolet Buick GMC.
• 214 St. Albert Trail - A & E Architectural & Engineering three storey office building (nearing completion).
• 23 Akins Drive - New 14 bay car wash/convenience store under development.
• 2 Hebert Road - Interior alterations for Allstate Insurance.
• 10 Galarneau & 702 St. Albert Trail - Renovations to the north and south side McDonald's restaurants.
• 375 St. Albert Trail - Planned Target store addition with and building expansion at St. Albert Centre.

(Other developments occurred in existing projects are not included)

(January - June)    

Building activity for the first half of 2012 is up when compared to 2011. For 2012, 120 single family home starts have been reported, which is up from 90 last year to date, for a 33% increase. Also the Highstreet Northridge Village Apartments with 118 units puts the year to date totals 100 units ahead of 2011. Since the five-year single family low in 2008, single family home starts have been relatively consistent in the 90-120 unit range, noting 2012 is the highest over the last 5 years. St. Albert has a limited inventory of condominiums and apartments with a continued demand for a variety of multifamily product.

Home starts are primarily clustered in two neighbourhoods - Erin Ridge with 58 and Northridge with 38, while Lacombe Park was third with 20 starts.

Many homebuilders remain active in the St. Albert market. The top homebuilders by volume year to date are: Daytona Homes (22), Sarasota (17), C2 Homes (12), Ironstone Home Builders (10), and Reid Built, San Rufo, Parkwood and Veneto all with 6 starts. The balance is accounted for by a wide variety of builders.

The new High Street Northridge apartments are adding 118 new multi-family units to the marketplace with other projects under consideration.

Resale Market

Multiple Listings Sales for Single Family units were up year to date with 429 for 2012 versus 378 for 2011. The average home price sale value has increased slightly (3%) in 2012 to $433,273 from $422,822 in 2011. Condominium volumes were down slightly while the average price is up by 1% over the same period in 2011 (2012 average price of $253,510 to $251,677 in 2011). Total sales of single and multiple family units sales were up, with 544 recorded so far in 2012, versus 514 for 2011.

The Northern Alberta Institute of Technology is conducting a survey with the purpose to identify changes in the Sturgeon River watershed over the past 50 years, and to prioritize the issues that are seen as most important. The information obtained will also help to direct future NAIT research activities in the watershed. We are encouraging businesses that may have a direct, or indirect, link to sustainability of the water resources to participate.

The survey takes about 15 minutes to complete and is available at http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/sturgeonriverwatershed 

Anyone 18 or over who lives in the Sturgeon river watershed is invited to participate in the survey. Please consider providing your input to help in this NAIT initiative, funded by the Alberta Rural Development Network.

Beautifying your business provides economic benefits and could win you a prize. 'Best Business Front Yard' is one of the categories in the 'Cultivating Front Yards' contest that was introduced by the city in 2012. The intent of the program is to honour and thank residents and businesses that beautify their business.

The nomination deadline is August 15, 2012. Nominate a neighbouring business or your own. Judging will take place right after the nominations close with winners being announced at a 'Garden Party' on September 18, 2012.

For information and nomination forms: www.cultivatebusiness.ca 

Focusing on...
Season's Gift Shop     

Each month, we feature a St. Albert business in our Focus on Business Newsletter to help support our business community and get the word out about all of the great businesses we have here!   

 

Claudia caught up with Heather Wolsey from Seasons Gift Shop to chat about doing business in St. Albert...

 

Heather Wolsey (owner), Marlene Preece, Linda MacDonald (left to right)

Why did you start your business in St. Albert? 

St. Albert, Edmonton and surrounding area,

mainly women aged 20-70 years and people who enjoy a great shopping experience.  

What makes your business different or stand out from others?

What's your favourite thing about St. Albert?

The people of course! They keep us grounded with a small town atmosphere among big city amenities.