Alberta

While Edmonton's building permit totals may be down slightly from 2010, there's still demand for building space, particularly in the industrial sector, where Colliers International recently reported lower vacancy rates for the overall Edmonton area m

Unlike most airport properties, Skyport lots are sold, not leased, and lots can be used for a wide variety of purposes including hangar-residence combinations. Lots start at around $109,000.

Fears two years ago that downtown Calgary would be awash with vacant office space in 2012 seem a distant memory these days.

"Steady Eddie" may be on his way out the door as Alberta's premier, but not without offering hope to those looking for provincial cash for a new downtown Edmonton arena.

There's more saber rattling going on in northeast Alberta oilpatch municipalities these days, and it's producing threats to curb development.

It seems fast-food franchises and souvenir shops are safe in Banff - for now.

Spring Creek developer Frank Kernick said interest in Canmore from vacation-home buyers is on the upswing again, thanks to an improved oilpatch in Alberta. "The market is chugging along. It's like Calgary. It's not rocking, but it's chugging along.

Alberta's fastest-growing southern city outside of Calgary should have far more land to build on come 2012.

The likelihood of a major event centre going up on Medicine Hat's north side seems even more remote following a key vote by the southeast Alberta community's city council in late June.

Alberta's capital city will spend $56 million to revitalize part of its downtown known as the Quarters. The cash will come from a community revitalization levy on new assessment that results from the 20-year project.