East Village Rejuvenation Plan

[H.E.Pennypacker]

Originally Posted by The Fisher Account

I wish they would bulldoze those ugly 1970s brick towers in the EV. What an eyesore

We'll need some properties in the EV to demo/redevelop in 15-25 years once all the vacant lots are built up with awesomeness and the EV is kicking ass

[The Fisher Account]

Originally Posted by Chadillaccc

The reclading of the one brick tower seems to have resumed. Looks like it's going to be some sort of black siding. Could look good.

Oh, so it's not going to be that ugly bland beige that's currently there?

[Spring2008]

Originally Posted by Chadillaccc

They're not using it as a staging area anymore, the site has been cleared. Or at least it was last I saw. This is why I believe construction will start sooner than later.

If CMLC follows through this could be one of the most interesting and thought out brownfield neighbourhoods in modern times. Sort of like a Yaletown or South False Creek, but with more retail, cultural amenities, and even generally superior public realm. Might be something you'd see pop up a lot in urban planning textbooks in the future.

[suburbia]

Originally Posted by The Fisher Account

I wish they would bulldoze those ugly 1970s brick towers in the EV. What an eyesore

I think they fit the area well. They have a certain charm and are virtually heritage status.

[Chadillaccc]

Originally Posted by Spring2008

If CMLC follows through this could be one of the most interesting and thought out brownfield neighbourhoods in modern times. Sort of like a Yaletown or South False Creek, but with more retail, cultural amenities, and even generally superior public realm. Might be something you'd see pop up a lot in urban planning textbooks in the future.

Exactly! However, I would recommend that you take another look at Yaletown next time you're in Van. It's actually quite bustling and has a pretty good bar scene. I loved it there last time I was there. I hope EV turns out at least as busy, hopefully busier The architecture will certainly be more interesting at the very least

I'm getting a bit anxious for the next stage of Riverwalk to start construction though. How the hell long do they need to plan this out?

[The Fisher Account]

Originally Posted by suburbia

I think they fit the area well. They have a certain charm and are virtually heritage status.

They resemble housing projects you see in the NE of the USA. Not something I would say fit in well in Calgary Alberta

[outoftheice]

Originally Posted by Chadillaccc

Exactly! However, I would recommend that you take another look at Yaletown next time you're in Van. It's actually quite bustling and has a pretty good bar scene. I loved it there last time I was there. I hope EV turns out at least as busy, hopefully busier The architecture will certainly be more interesting at the very least

I'm getting a bit anxious for the next stage of Riverwalk to start construction though. How the hell long do they need to plan this out?

I absolutely agree! It would be nice if they at least updated their website to indicate just where they are in the planning process instead of just "coming soon" for stage 2 and 3 of the Riverwalk

[suburbia]

Originally Posted by The Fisher Account

They resemble housing projects you see in the NE of the USA. Not something I would say fit in well in Calgary Alberta

It is unfair to say they don't fit well. It "is" Calgary. They were there from well before most of the forumers were even born. I go agree they look like cr*p, but they still are virtually heritage buildings. Same goes for a way many more of the buildings in the beltline. You know the ones I'm talking about. They are everywhere. They don't look great and if built today it would be different, but it doesn't mean you erase them. If they don't fit will with new construction, then new construction needs to adapt. Being negative about such Calgary heritage is not too far from a different type of discrimination. You wouldn't say these things if it was a person!

[MasterG]

Originally Posted by suburbia

It is unfair to say they don't fit well. It "is" Calgary. They were there from well before most of the forumers were even born. I go agree they look like cr*p, but they still are virtually heritage buildings. Same goes for a way many more of the buildings in the beltline. You know the ones I'm talking about. They are everywhere. They don't look great and if built today it would be different, but it doesn't mean you erase them. If they don't fit will with new construction, then new construction needs to adapt. Being negative about such Calgary heritage is not too far from a different type of discrimination. You wouldn't say these things if it was a person!

A variety of housing stock, ages and qualities (including ugliness) is required in East Village like all successful neighbourhood. Tearing down all ugly/old buildings is an expensive proposition and destroys affordability until the cycle repeats and the new East Village is as old as those towers.

That said, certainly policies/incentives that encourage ground-level updates and renovations should be considered to reflect the importance of the pedestrian realm to the success of the whole neighbourhood that older stock typically fails at.

[suburbia]

Originally Posted by MasterG

That said, certainly policies/incentives that encourage ground-level updates and renovations should be considered to reflect the importance of the pedestrian realm to the success of the whole neighbourhood that older stock typically fails at.

That I fully agree with. Take out a few ground level units, push out to the sidewalk as much as possible with glass, and encourage activity. Would be a win-win.

[WhipperSnapper]

Originally Posted by Spring2008

If CMLC follows through this could be one of the most interesting and thought out brownfield neighbourhoods in modern times. Sort of like a Yaletown or South False Creek, but with more retail, cultural amenities, and even generally superior public realm. Might be something you'd see pop up a lot in urban planning textbooks in the future.

Has some interesting aspects but, I don't think it stands out enough from a dozen other brownfield developments to get noticed. That comes down to a few select firms designing all these new master plans.

[Spring2008]

Originally Posted by WhipperSnapper

Has some interesting aspects but, I don't think it stands out enough from a dozen other brownfield developments to get noticed. That comes down to a few select firms designing all these new master plans.

The Riff, the island redevelopment, central library, national music centre, millions of sf of retail, river walk have the opportunity to set it apart from the generic.

[WhipperSnapper]

Maybe but, I've seen more than a few of these mixed use plans develop across Canada with pedestrianized retail corridors, cultural amenities and top notch parks with recreational areas.

[Spring2008]

Originally Posted by WhipperSnapper

Maybe but, I've seen more than a few of these mixed use plans develop across Canada with pedestrianized retail corridors, cultural amenities and top notch parks with recreational areas.

This one's really impressive for a TOD:

http://www.vancitybuzz.com/2014/03/oakridge-centre-redevelopment-approved/

[mellbell416]

Anybody know what's happening with the YWCA site? Didn't they send out requests forproposals that were due this past fall?

Rumours welcome!

[outoftheice]

Originally Posted by Spring2008

This one's really impressive for a TOD:

http://www.vancitybuzz.com/2014/03/oakridge-centre-redevelopment-approved/

Wow. That is impressive! Something like that for Westbrook Mall or Anderson would be great but I'm not too sure we'll ever quite get to that level of quality TOD here in Calgary. If anyone has a hope of pulling it off though, I would argue it is the CMLC. Perhaps both areas can use a CRL and CMLC management to spark redevelopment?

[Chadillaccc]

From what I've heard, the plans for Westbrook are quite ambitious. Can't wait until it's made public.

[Design-mind]

Time for the St Louis Hotel to get some reno's!

https://www.facebook.com/EV.Calgary?fref=photo

[Cyric]

The metro has a short update article on the celebration square park planned for the east village with a rendering.

http://metronews.ca/news/calgary/1302757...ight-along-the-lrt-line-in-east-village/

[The Fisher Account]

Originally Posted by Cyric

The metro has a short update article on the celebration square park planned for the east village with a rendering.

http://metronews.ca/news/calgary/1302757...ight-along-the-lrt-line-in-east-village/

The rendering is missing homeless people passed out on the grass