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Public benefit questioned as Edmonton eyes 10-year extension of Downtown CRL

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Edmonton city hall is considering extending the Downtown Community Revitalization Levy ( CRL ) by 10 years .

A draft deal between the Alberta government, City of Edmonton , and the Oilers Entertainment Group would see millions of public dollars spent on two OEG projects.

Business groups voiced support for the plan at city hall Wednesday .

But some councillors questioned whether the city and province should be putting taxpayer money toward the OEG’s Downtown event park and the Village at Ice District .

The Edmonton Downtown Business Association wants to see the CRL extended with the new list of catalyst projects.

The Downtown CRL was initiated in 2015 with the arena deal and addition of OEG’s Ice District .

The benefit of Rogers Place , she said, has been “undeniable” for Downtown.

OEG spokesman Tim Shipton said the plan will revitalize Downtown and add much-needed housing.