Community Development - Blatchford

[Coldrsx]

Some slack is required as they inherited Blatchford, but the time is nigh to drastically accelerate development there; that will require more players involved and a more attractive/market directed approach.

[Harrison]

Originally Posted by Coldrsx

Some slack is required as they inherited Blatchford, but the time is nigh to drastically accelerate development there; that will require more players involved and a more attractive/market directed approach.

Would it be worth it to sell out and have private industry just develop a bunch of SFHs? That is what UDI said (surprised as Kalen lead the City Plan while at the COE, but I guess anyone can change their views given enough pressure).

[trick91]

Private industry have already said they wont touch it unless changes are made to the environmental goals of the site.

[CMD UW]

Originally Posted by Harrison

Would it be worth it to sell out and have private industry just develop a bunch of SFHs? That is what UDI said (surprised as Kalen lead the City Plan while at the COE, but I guess anyone can change their views given enough pressure).

The main issue I have is there is no real 'urgency' to develop out Blatchford versus if it was mainly under the control of private developers. That also doesn't mean that it will be watered down either. I think the City could, and maybe should, look at how Canada Lands develops their neighbourhoods - they have requirements that all developer/builders must adhere to to ensure the vision of the neighbourhood doesn't get lost. Yes, these types of neighbourhoods typically build-out slower and that's fine. But it pushes more risk on the private sector, which is why they often move faster.

[Coldrsx]

Originally Posted by Harrison

Would it be worth it to sell out and have private industry just develop a bunch of SFHs? That is what UDI said (surprised as Kalen lead the City Plan while at the COE, but I guess anyone can change their views given enough pressure).

Nope.

But it is clear that we need new direction, a balanced approach and still aspire to achieve many of the sustainability goals.

[Coldrsx]

Originally Posted by trick91

Private industry have already said they wont touch it unless changes are made to the environmental goals of the site.

I'm not sure it is that binary.

What I hear is that industry wants greater flexibility with HOW they achieve certain goals.

[GenWhy?]

Originally Posted by Coldrsx

Nope.

But it is clear that we need new direction, a balanced approach and still aspire to achieve many of the sustainability goals.

I'm hearing major headaches dealing with various branches of the City on the utility component is just a supreme headache.

Also don't understand the rush to get this built. Building right takes time. Just look at the original vision for Mill Woods.

[Coldrsx]

Councillor Cartmell chimes in.

https://www.timcartmell.ca/blatchford_now_what

[trick91]

Originally Posted by Coldrsx

I'm not sure it is that binary.

What I hear is that industry wants greater flexibility with HOW they achieve certain goals.

From what I read in multiple articles, they want a more gradual energy transition instead of a leap to 100 per cent renewable energy.

[GenWhy?]

Originally Posted by Coldrsx

Councillor Cartmell chimes in.

https://www.timcartmell.ca/blatchford_now_what

Maybe I forgot the City subsidized construction of the homes but is there a number floating around? He says $200+ million but is that the infrastrucutre and park, etc? Doesn't seem like a subsidy

[GenWhy?]

I imagine things will improve when the LRT expansion is complete by 2025 over there.

Also was there an announcement on when restoration / rebuild of Hangar 11 was going to start?

Also assume the new streets along the LRT expansion line will be a boon. Are they connecting Blatchford Road with the LRT build of 119 Ave at the same time? I think it's a bout 1km of road on Blatchford land between the existing Blatch Rd. termination and the 119ave cut-off for LRT expansion. I imagine a multi-use path at least connecting the currently built homes and the 2 new LRT stations would be good.

I think my buddy is working on a Building Permit(almost ready for shovels in the ground) for Mutti Homes

[itom 987]

It is more important to develop the inner parts of the city than it is to develop the outskirts.
This is a major requirement for fighting climate change and it boggles my mind how many people just don't get it.

[trick91]

Originally Posted by itom 987

It is more important to develop the inner parts of the city than it is to develop the outskirts.
This is a major requirement for fighting climate change and it boggles my mind how many people just don't get it.

Having unaffordable houses so people buy houses in the suburbs where they will travel by car is fighting climate change?

How about a balance of both so we have people actually living in the inner parts of the city, rather than push them out to the outer regions.

[Coldrsx]

^bingo.

[itom 987]

How about a little market manipulation to make new inner city houses more affordable than the suburbs. You can call it a real estate boxing day. A little salesmanship can go a long way to filling it up and I don't care if the market fundamentals get fucked up for a short period of time. It is more important that those inner areas get completed and occupied.

[itom 987]

They say it will take 25 years to build a carbon neutral neighbourhood. What a load of crap!
25 years to finish an experiment on carbon neutral living. Other countries build entire cities in that time frame while we struggle to do a single neighbourhood! So much for setting an example and combating climate change.

Take these analogies:
You see an ant hill and step on it, the next day your footprint is completely gone. The ants aren't going to let a scar on the urban fabric of their anthill stay for 25 years.

There are two athletes practicing for a running competition, both get in an accident and have damaged tissue on their legs. One athlete immediately goes to the hospital to get surgery done on their legs and rest until the leg is healed before running again.
The other athlete decided to put a bandaid on their leg and continue running, letting the wounds fester. Guess who won the race?

The state of our bureaucracy is what is holding Edmonton back, AND YOU ALL KNOW IT. We need to treat the city like the living being actually is.

[kcantor]

Originally Posted by GenWhy?

...

Also was there an announcement on when restoration / rebuild of Hangar 11 was going to start?

...

there were some announcements but it's my understanding that everything is on hold at the moment and i'm not sure if it can be/will be resurrected.

[GenWhy?]

Originally Posted by kcantor

there were some announcements but it's my understanding that everything is on hold at the moment and i'm not sure if it can be/will be resurrected.

God damnit...

[Base]

Sad news about the Hangar for sure that would have been a heck of a destination. Lets hope it gets some life back.

As for affordability of central vs. outskirts is a terribly massive issue. There are plenty of central areas you can get very affordable townhomes and duplexes. There are indeed certain areas particularly nearest the river valley that SFHs are quite prohibitive centrally for sure but by and large I think the cost issue being discussed is specific to Blatchford and would likely be found in an area anywhere in the city, central or otherwise, with the city as the developer and with the same restrictions.

I guess what I am saying is there are other factors at play to deal with in the living central push that could be addressed ahead of price differences.

[GenWhy?]

I think having half your "front yard" not being a dirt patch, not being able to get over to the NAIT side easily or LRT yet is a current con. Once the LRT is complete there with some access routes it might get a bump