Bankview, Forest Lawn among Calgary communities struggling in attempts at revitalization

In urban renewal, as in life, there are always winners and losers.

For every Bridgeland or Ramsay — communities that managed to rise from the ashes of neighbourhood decay — there are those that have been unable to take the next step.

East Calgary Ald. Andre Chabot has had his share of disappointments when it comes to investment into his communities, many of which suffer from both aging populations and poverty.

Read more: http://tinyurl.com/cp6u2tj

Making downtown Edmonton more uptown

EDMONTON – Pedestrians hemmed in by the drab fabric-coated wire fences protecting the upheaval on Jasper Avenue might sympathize with cattle on their way to the feed lot.

Two blocks of Edmonton’s Main Street have been lined with barricades and narrowed to one lane in each direction since last spring, as Jasper Avenue undergoes its largest transformation since the city fathers first put down asphalt.

Read more: http://tinyurl.com/anxlueh

 

City planner opposes downtown revitalization project

Plans to restore a row of crumbling heritage buildings and erect a 14-storey mechanized parkade above would directly violate the downtown parking policy, officials warned Calgary Planning Commission on Thursday.

Heritage developer Neil Richardson’s proposal would revive the ramshackle row of mostly century-old retail buildings at Seventh Avenue, opposite the 1st Street S.W. LRT platform. But rather than fund the conversion of those storefront units into space for arts groups by building an office tower above, he’s proposed a European-style automated parking structure — to Richardson, a safer economic bet.

Read more: http://tinyurl.com/cwwluzz

Strategy making old new again

A new project undertaken by Strathcona County administration to identify and address redevelopment opportunities for Sherwood Park’s mature neighbourhoods has been met with mixed reviews from residents.

The Sherwood Park’s Mature Neighbourhood Strategy aims to address possible modifications to existing buildings and development of empty sites in the community’s older neighbourhoods.

Read more: http://tinyurl.com/awbzvg7    

Let’s revitalize Edmonton’s waterfront, say some city councillors

Everyone in the water.

Toronto, Penticton and Dawson City are revitalizing the waterfronts in those cities — and now it’s time for Edmonton to get on board too, say some city councillors.

Coun. Karen Leibovici says it’s high time Edmonton fully harnessed the consumer potential along the banks of the North Saskatchewan and offered more opportunities for residents to enjoy the river valley.

Read more:  http://tinyurl.com/cdq8uco  

LRT extension key to Mill Woods transformation

EDMONTON – City staff are finalizing details on several key projects they hope will help transform the heart of Mill Woods into the busy, urban core as originally intended.

The first plans in the 1970s for the neighbourhood of Mill Woods Town Centre called for 10,000 people — seniors to young adults — living in a walkable, mixed-use and dense urban core; not the large-scale parking lots with missing sidewalks that dominate much of the site now.

Read more:  http://tinyurl.com/adm943g