New and returning councillors were given a taste of the high-profile issues facing Edmonton on Thursday, including the lingering question of what to do with the Northlands site. The 160-acre swath of city-owned property has been compared to the Blatchford Field in its urban redevelopment potential, and councillors are beginning to posit the idea of an international design competition to solicit creative concepts for the site.

The Northlands site, image retrieved from Google Maps

Last month, council voted to shutter the Coliseum, which was operated by Northlands alongside the Expo Centre, a horse-racing track, and the K-Days festival. The race track's days are numbered as well, with a new facility readying near the International Airport. The exodus presents a rare opportunity to remake the second largest urban infill redevelopment site in Edmonton, and the City is trying to make sure they get it right.

Northlands has reportedly received approximately 30 development proposals from across the continent since it launched its Vision 2020 project. Using the Blatchford site as an example, Councillor Ben Henderson suggested an international design competition may be the best path forward. But other councillors noted the Northlands is already equipped with amenities and infrastructure, including an LRT connection, that would not require the same level of project management as the airfield. 

The Coliseum will shutter on the first day of 2018, image by Flickr user Alan Paone via Creative Commons

Councillors will have a look at the early development concepts collected by Northlands when they receive a report on November 14. Another round of public consultation will follow the November report. In the meantime, the Northlands property won't be completely devoid of activity. The City has ensured the continuation of K-Days by signing a five-year lease with Northlands. The Coliseum will cease operation on January 1, 2018 and the Edmonton Economic Development Corporation will assume control of the Expo Centre, the casino and horse racing as they wind down before the end of 2018.

Is an international design competition the right way forward? What would you like to see built at the site? Let us know in the designated Forum thread or in the comment section below.