An industrial zone might seem like an odd place for the Davies Transit Centre, but the location was specifically chosen to help boost the area’s growth.
The Transit Centre includes Davies Station, one of the stops on the Valley Line Southeast LRT, as well as 15 bus bays, where passengers can catch Edmonton Transit Service (ETS) routes to places such as Capilano, Millbourne and Southgate Mall.
Plans to incentivize more businesses to open and draw people to the Davies Industrial area near 75 Street and Wagner Road have already been in the works. Not only will you be able to hop off and shop, but there is also a convenience store within Davies Station itself, located on the first floor between the east entrance and the elevator.
Pranav Thapar’s parents were the lucky bidders who now rent the space, filling it with goodies for riders and the surrounding community.
Coffee and opportunity
Thapar boasts that his mom makes pretty good coffee, which should draw in people from surrounding businesses as the nearest Tim Hortons is 850 metres away (or a 15-minute walk). The store has a sign in front with changing lunch specials like butter chicken and rice. They also offer a variety of snacks including popcorn and fresh fruit.
“I feel lucky for the opportunity this country has given me, and now this country has given my parents the same opportunity,” Thapar explains. His parents immigrated here in 2018 from India and have been working odd jobs, many of which have been hard on their physical health as they age.
He says the daily gruel and grind gave his family inspiration to keep going. “When the opportunity came [to open a store], we were very eager to jump on it and submit our proposal to the City.”
Convenient location
Thapar says his parents are now in a comfortable position where they can see themselves working as long as they would like. “They absolutely love working out of the transit centre. They love talking to all the people there, and the train drivers, bus drivers and staff are all very friendly. All I can say is they’re having the time of their lives.”
Once the Thapar family found out the store was theirs, they hit the streets to get to know their community. They quickly realized it was more than just brick and cement industrial buildings.
“We went around the area … to all the offices, shops and outlets, and made them aware we exist,” says Thapar. “This is a very convenient location for the people using the Transit Centre and for the immediate neighbourhood.”
For the Thapars, the future in the area is only getting brighter. “It’s going to be a place where my parents can feel the pride of owning their own business.”
“A five-minute walk”
For nearby W.P. Wagner High School, the Davies Transit Centre is a welcome addition.
The high school, one of Edmonton’s most innovative, offers programs such as Advanced Placement and STEM (science, technology, engineering and math). The team at W.P. Wagner describes the Valley Line LRT as a new entryway for current and prospective students.
“Our two biggest feeder schools are in Mill Woods, but we pull from all over the place, mostly on the southside,” says Tim Boan, the principal of W.P. Wagner.
“The LRT is definitely going to provide an opportunity for students that do not have their own transportation to hop on the LRT and come right here. It’s a five-minute walk from the station to our door.”
Around 1,500 students currently attend the technology-driven school. Wagner also offers individual programs for high schoolers around the city if the student’s current school doesn’t offer them. Once the LRT is in operation, students will be able to use it to quickly transfer between classes at Wagner and their regular school.
Assistant Principal Dave Tran says Wagner is a school of progress, which matches the story of its founder, William Phillip Wagner.
“Today, we’re shifting towards preparing our students for the 21st century through STEM, and that is really the story of Wagner,” says Tran. “Having this LRT brings our community here and makes it more economical and reasonable for students all over Edmonton to follow their passions and interests.”
W. P. Wagner is partnering with its industrial neighbours through their STEM program to bring more innovation and education for students in Edmonton. This includes creating possible internships with companies and expanding students’ interests in new areas.
Past and future contributions
The future-focused Davies Station is nestled into the industrial neighbourhood it’s named after. The area’s namesake, Arthur Davies, arrived in Edmonton from Wales in 1895. During his time here, he served two terms as Mayor of Strathcona and was known for his grocery emporium. During his last term in 1910, he was instrumental in the amalgamation of the City of Strathcona into what we know as Edmonton today. Davies has been recognized as the “Father of Greater Edmonton,” for his contributions.
With more businesses drawn to the area and a bustling school population partnering with employers, the Davies Station is creating a positive impact on this budding community. Its name comes from the strands of the city’s history and will bring Edmontonians closer together, one stop at a time.
Editor’s note: the pic at the top of the posts shows a sunny morning at Davies Station.
Read more about Davies Station and its design.