A group planning a massage parlour on Fort Road has abandoned the development application. A group planning a massage parlour on Fort Road has abandoned the development application. (CBC)

A proposal to develop a massage parlour in an area of Fort Road where the city of Edmonton has invested millions in revitalization has been dropped.

"The proponent has withdrawn the development permit," said Coun. Tony Caterina."[It] looks like they're not proceeding with the massage parlour — in quotation marks — on Fort Road."

Business owners in the area circulated a petition to try to block the enterprise, believing it might offer sexual services and was inappropriate in an area where the city has spent $75 million on roads, sidewalks, park development and other improvements.

"I hope that swayed them, and changed their mind," Caterina said of the local opposition. "That this wasn't an area where they were prepared to fight the neighbours."

Christine Perrin, who lives in the neighbourhood, cheered news that the massage parlour won't be going ahead.

"I think that's great, seriously," she said. "It just gives a bad name. They're cleaning it up really nice here, so [massage parlours] should not be here at all."