Beverly

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Entry posted by beebs · June 14, 2011

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Hey, folks! Today we're going to take a look at the neighborhood of Beverly, and continue our westward trek through Red River.

This is the heart of Beverly.. as you may have noticed, it is not quite the most luxurious part of town. The residential streets have undergone extensive rebuilding and attempted revitalization in recent years as a part of city councils' program to rejuvinate areas across the city. Included in this program are the elegant light posts you can see on the streets. A quick look at the commercial enterprises that call Beverly Avenue home, however, tells the true story.

At one point in the history of the region, Beverly was an independant town. This was the heart of the town, with Beverly Avenue being the "main street". There are still a number of "mom and pop" shops that locate themselves in this area, and it can be a unique shopping experience. Many in Red River hope that this area will become something of a second Short Avenue, a destination for people from all corners of the city, but there is still a long way to go before that can happen.

Aside from the street revitalization, the city has also recently reconstructed the Beverly library branch. New, modern, spacious, and hosting all sorts of day programs for children, it has been a popular (re)addition to the community.

Just a general overview of the heart of Beverly. You can see some green space in the center-left of the image.. developers have planned for a modern new apartment complex for that location. Pre-sales are starting next week, but it is expected to be slow. Although a good step to taking back the community from undesirable residents, it is only the first step - and the first step is always the hardest.

Not all things are bad in Beverly, however. On the southern end of the neighborhood is the Princess Anne Hospital. Featuring state of the art equipment for multiple testing and diagnostic fields, and some excellent doctors of their respective fields it is one of the premiere hospitals in Canada.

142st is the road seen here (it is also seen in the earlier shots, intersecting with Beverly Avenue). Due to congestion, the city has plans to remove the center median and add a third lane to each side of the road. Community consultation is ongoing on this project.

And really, if it weren't for the seedy Beverly Avenue, the neighborhood would arguably be one of the more desireable ones to live in. With elementary, junior high and high schools all in close proximity, as well as ample shopping surrounding the neighborhood and convenient access to the Whitemud Drive, and to downtown, it is perfectly located. The mature, tree-lined streets add character to the area, and there is more than enough park space to make any family happy.

And, at the far-west end of Beverly is the Beverly Mall, one of the first malls in Western Canada. Unfortunately, this mall has seen better days.. despite recent renovations, major tenants are all seeking greener pastures. Rumor has it that the mall is aggressively seeking a new anchor tenant in Target, as they expand north of the 49th parallel.. but if Target, or another equally substantial tenant cannot be secured, it may be the end of the oldest mall in Red River.

And, that's all folks! Hope you enjoyed the look at Beverly!