Edmonton Construction 11 (November 2011)

[Airboy]

Remember everyone.

Latitude 53 Patio Party this Saturday night.

[Coldrsx]

^with bells on my friend.

[Hallsy's Toupee]

Elise Stolte ‏@estolte
New #yegdt arts campus conceptual plans have a 1,600-seat theater, smaller performance spaces surrounding plaza. pic.twitter.com/CPeTy6BnHl

[hilman]

Wow, our downtown will have one of the finest arts and entertainment districts around when this, RAM and the arena are complete. More pictures please

[s211]

Originally Posted by Bolano

Looks like Council is getting an update Monday on the downtown performing arts centre.

"The current plan includes the initially proposed Performing Arts Centre, the participation of the University of Alberta to develop a downtown academic campus, and a new commercial office building, along with other potential commercial and retail space in the Downtown. Initially named the Edmonton Performing Arts Centre, the project has been renamed the Edmonton Downtown Academic and Cultural Centre. This project has the potential to be a catalyst for the continued revitalization of downtown Edmonton, and in particular, the Arts District."

http://sirepub.edmonton.ca/sirepub/cache/2/i5hhkb45qkbbtt55aqxrau45/19912502222013112127832.PDF

I'm not clear. Does this expand the McEwan proposal, or is this the Mandel "wowee" he hinted at (what seems like years ago now...).

[Airboy]

Looks like the large theater will be right where the EPSB maintenance building is currently. Also displacing a number of shelters.

[Hallsy's Toupee]

Plans leaked for open-air arts galleria downtown

Story:
http://www.edmontonjournal.com/news/Plans+leaked+open+arts+galleria+downtown/8004653/story.html

[EdmTrekker]

"Edmonton Downtown Academic and Cultural Centre". "Academic" and "Cultural" used together is a name is rather convoluted. It will be interesting to know what part of this space will be owned or leased versus actually "used" by the UofA and how the UofA will fund this....given University operational budgets are being reduced and the GoA may provide a big fat 0 increase in operating funding for the next few years. I guess we will find out soon. I can't imagine there is any GoA funding in this project...at least not directly. All of that said, this development would be an incredible asset for this City to have and a big boost for downtown - and I fully support this.

Anyone know the status of the arena district CRL request and does it include this area?

Also how does this layout compare to the one Gene Dub had for his vision of developing North from City Hall? My recall is we have lost the promenade envisioned North to South as the larger concert hall appears smack dab in that location. I guess that promenade had to end somewhere...and in this EDACC design - it ends at the front door of the theatre.

[itom 987]

The plan looks vague, and I don't like the parkade, I see little chance of this getting off the ground.

[Daveography]

A lot of things about this isn't sitting right with me. Are we really in such desperate need of more theatre space? Is an open-air galleria really right for our city? Especially in this area? Has Qualico participated in this, given it cuts right through their land and moves their proposed tower B further east? Lots of bridges and new pedways, too. And a parkade right on 101 St.?

I'm normally quite excited about downtown, public spaces, and cultural facilities, but this whole thing just seems thrown together, almost desperate. I'm really not feeling this one at all.

[Jasper and one o nin]

timing is everything. you think this "leak" was an accident?

[s4.audios]

These plans look amazing to me IMO. What a great way to revitalize what is pretty much dead space right now, and could and will be the next big move to Edmonton's downtown expansion; I'm tired of downtown being a one road stretch (Jasper Ave). Yah that's a parkade on 101st, so what, as long as it's not a ground level parking lot i'm all for a few above ground parkades here and there; they give the area a more 'downtown vibe'. If this gets approved and moving along, I wouldn't doubt the Pacific Rim redevelopmeont going full force and some new Aurora proposals popping up. 104 ave is going to be the place to be in about a decade from now hopefully.

[kcantor]

Originally Posted by RTA

A lot of things about this isn't sitting right with me. Are we really in such desperate need of more theatre space? Is an open-air galleria really right for our city? Especially in this area? Has Qualico participated in this, given it cuts right through their land and moves their proposed tower B further east? Lots of bridges and new pedways, too. And a parkade right on 101 St.?

I'm normally quite excited about downtown, public spaces, and cultural facilities, but this whole thing just seems thrown together, almost desperate. I'm really not feeling this one at all.

yes qualico has and is participating in this...

this is a very simplified pictorial of the edacc requirements and not a complete or final picture of the overall integration of their requirements with everything else that will happen in and around the "campus".

this is a two dimensional representation of a very complex three dimensional integration of a broad range of interests and uses.

all of the major components are "a work in progress" that we are actively involved in and supportive of.

we are excited about the potential and the synergies and opportunities edacc represents and we look forward to being able to continue to facilitate it.

from my perspective you should feel free to feel good about this one not based on the place makers but on the concept which is real and valid. the place makers will evolve into actual architecture soon enough.

[Jasper and one o nin]

very exciting. great to know that qualico and Ken are part of the process.
this is just another piece of the puzzle in assembling a great downtown/city.

[Harrison]

Ken, Stationlands Tower B could be a frontrunner for the City, no? Close to City Hall and, from what I've heard on the Twitterverse, the most likely RFP to be selected.

[Harrison]

Another good idea coming from Twitter, moving this arts campus to reuse the old Rossdale Plant; use the pledged private money to renovate and repair the structure. Would be a really neat building for a theatre: warehouse-y Brooklyn vibe.

[Hallsy's Toupee]

^ That's a brilliant idea. I should send a note to City Council.

[EdmTrekker]

Originally Posted by Hallsy's Toupee

^ That's a brilliant idea. I should send a note to City Council.

Not a good idea imo...never will be LRT at Rossdale. The downtown plans we are now seeing integrate an academic campus with performing arts and cultural centre creating synergies.

Back to the concept: The CN Tower stands out as an ugly ducking. It really needs to be re-purposed and in need of new skin.

[Harrison]

How much of that tower is vacant? I know the City takes up a good proportion of space.

[Rocket252]

AHS has about 8 floors. A number are empty. They have done renos in the lobby but need updates in infructure