Community Development - Blatchford

[Harrison]

Originally Posted by Coldrsx

Absolutely terrible news. I really want to know how this thing started and hope it was not nefarious in nature.

The % of fires in historic/character properties is outrageous.

Awful stuff.

Shovels were to have been in the ground this summer.

For real? The ownership group never developed anything before, let alone at that scale. I appreciate ambitiousness and plans, but I was not too hopeful they could actually execute this project. Now, we will never know...

[Coldrsx]

Spoke with one of the partners this morning.

They have certainly had their challenges, hurdles and been challenged by their vision and scope, but it was heading towards a start I am told.

[Rocket252]

In this case Use it or lose it certainly applies.

hate to see heritage buildings like this get destroyed - we have so few anyways in this city

[Coldrsx]

[GenWhy?]

I thought the majority of the green area was still "under development"?

[Coldrsx]

January 2025

What’s coming down the runway this year
Two people playing hockey on Blatchford's neighbourhood rink
We hope you had a joyful and restful holiday season – and are as excited as we are for the momentum to continue in Blatchford this year. Here’s a look at what’s ahead…

Community/Land Development (Responsibility - City/Blatchford Office):
A facelift for the control tower: Plans are underway to transform the base of the former airport control tower into a usable community space.
Readying more land for homebuilders: Construction (e.g. infrastructure) on the next stage kicks off again in spring. This land will support homebuilders constructing 195 townhomes.
Developing Blatchford Market: Work is moving forward on land that will eventually be home to a vibrant market district (including retail) near the NAIT/Blatchford Market LRT station.
More greenspace: Construction of a new linear park is set to kick off this year. The new park space will bring even more green space and amenities to the community.

Homes (Responsibility - Homebuilders):
A new home type is coming: Get set for townhome bungalows by StreetSide. Adding different product types gives homebuyers more options for homes and price points. Did you know? Adding bungalow townhomes to the community won’t impact Blatchford’s land use density goals. That’s because the number of housing units on this land parcel stays the same as what was originally planned for.
More homes!: Homebuilders are currently planning for hundreds more homes on land that has been purchased from the City/Blatchford Office, is pending sale or has active builder interest.
Six storey apartments are on the way: Land has been sold to homebuilders for several six storey apartment buildings in the community. Stay tuned for updates as the homebuilders confirm their construction timelines.

One year of LRT in Blatchford!
Exterior of NAIT/Blatchford LRT station in winter
January marks the one-year anniversary of the NAIT/Blatchford Market LRT station opening – and the momentum around it hasn’t stopped. A pedestrian connection has since been opened from the current Blatchford development to the station. What’s more – an art installation is on the way this year and land development work is moving forward on the areas surrounding the LRT.

Did you know? When the station opened last year it did so a year ahead of schedule. Here are some more facts about Blatchford’s first operating LRT station.

What’s in a name: The station is located in Blatchford’s future town centre, which will be known as Blatchford Market.
What will that big section of developed land near NAIT and the station be used for?: The City sold thirty-three acres to NAIT to support their campus expansion. While NAIT will be responsible for the construction (and timelines) of their buildings, the City has been busily readying the land for them. On site you’ll now see completed roads, sidewalks and landscaping. See where this is on our community map.
Prioritizing people over cars: On-road transportation is responsible for nearly one-third of city-wide emissions in Edmonton. The LRT opening is another step towards transforming Blatchford into an integrated transit-oriented development.
Transit capacity: The station’s longer platform accommodates four- and five-car trains (vs the standard three-car train station) to help meet future ridership demand.
Solar power: Panels help provide some of this station’s power.
Green mindset: 400 trees and 1,600 shrubs were planted as part of the project.

[Coldrsx]

From the Feb 3 Council Report.

[Coldrsx]

And now, a run-down of 2025 in Blatchford​

Our work (City of Edmonton’s Blatchford Redevelopment Office)​

Approximately 57% of the 536-acre site’s developable land is now constructed, under construction or in the planning and development stage. That’s up from about 42% this time last year and included work on a new 19-acre stage that will add nearly 200 townhomes.

Nearly 100% of the land that’s ready for builders in the first stages is either sold, has a sale agreement in place or has active builder interest.
Designs were completed to transform the base of the former airport control tower into a community space, with construction anticipated to start next year.
Progress on Blatchford’s renewable energy utility includes: reaching its sixth year of operation, connecting more floor space than anticipated, advancing design work on two new renewable energy centres (sewer heat recovery and geoexchange), and preparing for new, larger building connections like the recently opened Blatchford Fire Station No. 8 and upcoming multi-storey apartment buildings.
Blatchford homebuilder updates​

Blatchford’s first apartment-style building is under construction, bringing with it the community’s first main-floor retail space. Sale agreements have been signed or are underway for six additional 4-6 storey buildings – several of which will also have main-floor retail space. This includes the community’s first affordable housing development.

Blatchford’s first purpose-built rental project – Pilot, a 90-unit rental townhome development – is now leasing units.

There are now nearly 400 homes (units) either completed or under construction. That’s an increase of about 150 homes since this time last year.

Homebuilders have another approximately 780 units planned on land that’s been sold, is pending sale or has active builder interest.

[Coldrsx]

[GenWhy?]

Wow! That's a good bit of progress since I last drive through. Is that the mixed-use 6-storey they're just starting up south of the traffic circle next to the townhomes?

[GenWhy?]

Do we know where the Pakoshayimoohk Village is being built? Is that by Airport and Fane or by the new Fire Hall #8?