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Riverlands
Strong turnout for open house
reprinted from Red Deer
Advocate (Laura Tester) March 30, 2011
The potential for turning
92 acres of prime land near the Red Deer River into a thriving
mixed-use downtown area over the next two decades is huge, a public
open house heard on Tuesday.
More than 100 people packed a building in Cronquist Business Park to
listen to presentations on the latest plans for the Riverlands area
in the southwest sector of the downtown area.
They heard more details on what this area could look like under the
draft Riverlands Area Redevelopment Plan as well as road changes
within the Taylor Drive Concept Plan. This area -- home of the
former civic yards, (Carnival) Cinemas, Cronquist Business Park and
Old Brew Plaza -- is primarily light industrial and commercial right
now.
Consultant John Hull, along with urban planner Ken Johnson, have
been working on the area redevelopment plan. It comes out of the
Greater Downtown Action Plan approved two years ago to show how this
area could attract a lot more residents, businesses and visitors to
the downtown.
The vision for this area is one with shops on the ground floor,
people living above and lots of activity on the streets. Public
gathering places as well as destination spots like a hotel
convention centre are part of the plans.
"People care about the Red Deer downtown and they see a huge
opportunity," said Hull, regarding the huge turnout.
The opportunity is immense, particularly when a third of the land is
city-owned. The former civic yards and Electric, Light and Power
sites could develop into an "outstanding" downtown
civic/commercial/mixed-use gathering place. The existing buildings
of the former civic yards could provide opportunities for a
year-round market. Other city lands in the area could see the
creation of "iconic" building landmarks -- ones that become tourist
attractions themselves.
"We have all the sewers, water and everything here now so even
though this may seem like a grandiose plan, it's not," said Hull.
"The city doesn't have to build all new services. It's a very
efficient way to build."
Hull added the area redevelopment plan comes from a history of
planning dating back to 1999, so it's been consistent and well
thought out.
Developing riverwalks, as well as creating pedestrian crossings
across Taylor Drive, will be key.
Marcel Huculak, engineer with Edmonton's ISL Engineering, presented
a concept plan that showed connecting Alexander Way across Taylor
Drive. Taylor Drive would also be reconfigured for a smoother
connection.
Doug Streight, a businessman from the area, said he's glad that the
river will become a focal point for the city.
"Right now, most people don't want to come to the downtown area
because it's not very pleasing," he said. "I'm glad that they're
enlarging the downtown because right now it's limited use."
He is concerned though with what may happen with rezoning in the
future because that could affect his business.
Carnival Cinemas owner Bill Ramji said their present location along
Taylor Drive is ideal because it's on the cusp of this exciting
redevelopment area. He's pleased with the roundabout (an improved
traffic circle) slated for the theatre's southwest corner.
Some parking space would be taken from the theatre as part of the
Taylor Drive.
"We will work with the City (of Red Deer) on that and I don't see
why we can't," Ramji said.
Paul Pettypiece, who is part of a group vying for attractions
focused on Red Deer's railway history, said he was hopeful after
hearing the latest plans.
City manager Craig Curtis said some attendees told him they liked
the development opportunities, but that some of the infrastructure
issues need to be resolved quickly. This includes either burying or
relocating the high-powered transmission lines that affect a number
of key sites, he said.
This power line project is part of a five-year plan, along with
building roads on the former civic yards property.
Once public feedback is received on the Redevelopment Plan and
Taylor Drive Concept Plan, they will then be forwarded to the
Greater Downtown Action Plan committee. Council will then consider
the two documents this spring. Preliminary engineering for the
Taylor Drive could then begin this summer and the land use bylaw,
including the zone map, would be amended for Riverlands.
Both plans are available online at
www.reddeer.ca.
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