Community Development - Blatchford

[CMD UW]

Even better.

https://www.google.ca/maps/@48.77588...lAuJ_Rhpqw!2e0

https://www.google.ca/maps/place/Par...0b82c3688c9460

[ScottieA]

That second one looks like a narrow street version of NA suburbia.

[CMD UW]

Originally Posted by ScottieA

That second one looks like a narrow street version of NA suburbia.

With narrow gravel sidewalks

[Hallsy's Toupee]

No lake?

[mick]

I was at Summerside lake this past weekend to visit friends. It is a fantastic amenity for the community. I see no reason why the city can't keep the original rec lake here and recoup its money in the same way that the developers in Summerside did: increase in land value. Two more storm-water management lakes are ho-hum in a city chock full with them and sell this development short of what it could be. My fear is that we end up with a gussied up garrison when the purpose of this was to reach for something better/different - not necessarily world-leading, but certainly better than your typical sub-divsion though with increased density.

[Coldrsx]

^concur... a public lake like that in Blatchford would make it instantly desirable for all and a community/city destination.

[Makenosmallplans]

Originally Posted by Coldrsx

^concur... a public lake like that in Blatchford would make it instantly desirable for all and a community/city destination.

x3

[rapid_business]

Well, it looks like the ship has sailed (pun intended) on that one.

[Black Star]

Where's Mandel when u need him. Between the watered down Blatchford and the total miss with Oilver square x2.. this city counsel has to take a step back and take a good look around.

[ciudad_del_norte]

To be fair, if by Oliver square you are referring to the "brewery district," that project was very much approved (if not pushed through) by the last council and Mandel.

[Black Star]

I believe the new council approved Oliver x2.

[Coldrsx]

Negative.

[Hallsy's Toupee]

Originally Posted by ciudad_del_norte

To be fair, if by Oliver square you are referring to the "brewery district," that project was very much approved (if not pushed through) by the last council and Mandel.

This is correct. This was part of my basis on my mayoralty vote for Iveson (voted against so-called "brewery district") vs Leibovici (voted in favor)

[Black Star]

I stand corrected.

[Coldrsx]

Council green-lights Blatchford redevelopment


BY GORDON KENT, EDMONTON JOURNAL JULY 16, 2014

Redevelopment of the former City Centre Airport will move ahead after councillors accepted a plan Wednesday to spend $632 million building a green community on the site.

The money will pay for Blatchford’s roads, sewers, parks, lakes, a stormwater irrigation system and other infrastructure needed over the next 25 years.

About $552 million will come from revenue made developing the 217-hectare site for up to 30,000 residents, schools, shops and other businesses, with the rest borrowed.

NAIT hopes to buy 16 hectares for expansion.

By the time the project is finished, city officials expect to make a $229-million profit.

That’s similar to earlier projections which, although they appeared much smaller, didn’t take decades of inflation and other factors into account.

“It’s not the goal to make money on this development,” Coun. Michael Oshry said.

http://www.edmontonjournal.com/busin...224/story.html

[Shodan]

Mayor says athletes' village could fuel Blatchford plan
Iveson meets royals during visit to Commonwealth Games

Gordon Kent
Edmonton Journal

Thursday, July 31, 2014

The athletes' village that will be part of Edmonton's 2022 Commonwealth Games bid could help kick-start the massive Blatchford redevelopment, Mayor Don Iveson says.

The city hopes to start building homes in 2016 at the former City Centre Airport, intended to be a green community with an eventual population of 30,000.

But the $632-million project could also provide temporary rooms for the 7,000 competitors expected if Edmonton hosts the Games in eight years, Iveson said...

gkent@edmontonjournal.com
© Edmonton Journal 2014

Copyright © 2014 CanWest Interactive, a division of CanWest MediaWorks Publications, Inc.. All rights reserved.
CanWest Interactive, a division of CanWest MediaWorks Publications, Inc.. All rights reserved.

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[Hallsy's Toupee]

Anyone attend an open house yet? I'll try to go tomorrow, so I can tell them I want a lake not a storm pond.

http://www.edmonton.ca/blatchfordedm....ac=Blatchford

Location: Chateau Nova Hotel & Suites,
159 Airport Rd, Edmonton, AB

Thursday, September 4, 2014 (4:30-8:30pm),
presentations at 5pm and 7pm

Saturday, September 6, 2014 (1-5pm),
presentations at 1:30pm and 3:30pm

Tuesday, September 9, 2014 (4:30-8:30pm),
presentations at 5pm and 7pm

[middeljohn]

Good to hear. Heard from a source last month that the infrastructure for this project, ie sewage and underground, is planned to start around second quarter next year.

[EdmTrekker]

Originally Posted by Hallsy's Toupee

Anyone attend an open house yet? I'll try to go tomorrow, so I can tell them I want a lake not a storm pond.

http://www.edmonton.ca/blatchfordedm....ac=Blatchford

Location: Chateau Nova Hotel & Suites,
159 Airport Rd, Edmonton, AB

Thursday, September 4, 2014 (4:30-8:30pm),
presentations at 5pm and 7pm

Saturday, September 6, 2014 (1-5pm),
presentations at 1:30pm and 3:30pm

Tuesday, September 9, 2014 (4:30-8:30pm),
presentations at 5pm and 7pm

Exactly - and a square around it so events can be held there.

[Hallsy's Toupee]

Went to the second half of the open house today, including the second presentation.

1. A lake with a beach could still go ahead in the big park in the north part of Blatchford if funding allows for it. Apparently I'm not alone with this concern because I was told this is the most popular item being asked about. Engineering dude from project team expressed concerns about cost, maintenance (e.g. keeping algae out), parking and such. I mentioned 3 reasons for going ahead with it: 1) greater marketability of the area 2) a beach there would be preferable than the silly "sand park" halfway up the hill from the river valley, and 3) gives lake lovers an in-city option besides going out to Sylvan Lake or wherever. If funding is a concern, I suggested they could do a CRL for the area. Engineering dude suggested writing to council, which I will do.

2. Also suggested that they consider linking 118 Ave together, and extending 109 St to the Yellowhead. They don't have to be freeways, but better linkages to other parts of the city would be beneficial. This proposed community still needs thoroughfares for vehicles, transit buses and some commercial traffic (goods and services still need to get into it).

3. Things I wasn't aware of, which I liked:
a) Old airport buildings are not being demolished and thrown into the dumpster; they are being dismantled. Some buildings will be rebuilt elsewhere (akin to Alberta Hotel), for the others the materials will be reused in some fashion.
b) Large hill in the park will be created from earth excavation of the site, will be a viewpoint of Blatchford and the downtown skyline.
c) Stormwater ponds will have wide promenades and walkways along them

4. The door is not shut on highrises in Blatchford - those can still be rezoned for the east part along the LRT area if the demand warrants it. Right now they are looking at a 40 year build-out of highrises in downtown, Oliver and Quarters and they don't want Blatchford to compete with those.

5. Looks like I just missed meeting our glorious leader there, he spoke at the first presentation today; would have loved expressing my thoughts directly to Iveson himself.