Strathearn Heights Redevelopment | 81m | ?s | Nearctic Group | GEC

[Daveography]

Been meaning to to ply these guys for updated info before creating the thread, but it's back in the news now, so here's what's out there now, not sure if these are current.

Images and video via http://parioplan.com/wp/projects/strathearn-heights/


Strathearn Heights by Chris Vazquez, on Flickr


Strathearn Heights by Chris Vazquez, on Flickr


Strathearn Heights by Chris Vazquez, on Flickr

Official site:
http://www.strathearnrejuvenation.ca/

 

[Daveography]

Developers Nearctic Property Group and Rockwell Group say this landmark pedestrian street planned for the Strathearn redevelopment will cost $13 million. They'd like the city to pay them back for the investment through money generated from the increased property taxes.SUPPLIED

Delayed Strathearn Heights project developer wants $13-million deal before construction
The company behind a much-delayed Strathearn Heights redevelopment wants the city to reimburse the cost of a $13-million pedestrian main street.

The project is key to Edmonton’s LRT dreams for the area and was first given the green light through rezoning in 2008. But owners Rockwell Group and Nearctic Property Group said they just can’t make it work without city help.

“We can’t borrow money to build a city street. That’s the financial obstacle,” said Patrick Adams, chief operating officer for Nearctic.

Council’s urban planning committee approved talks with the developer Wednesday.

Any deal would go to council for approval and could include paying for the street with the increased property taxes the redevelopment would generate. That’s similar to how the city handles contaminated land and how it funded downtown upgrades with Rogers Place.

The pedestrian main street running down 88 Street is the backbone of the project, said Adams. A treed boulevard in the centre, wide sidewalks, cycling lanes and slow-moving traffic would create a main park-like corridor to funnel residents to the LRT.

The development would have up to 1,900 residential units on 9.7 hectares with a mix of retail and residential development right beside the new LRT station. It would slowly replace the 500 units of 1950s’ walk-up apartments there now.

http://edmontonjournal.com/news/loc...per-wants-13-million-deal-before-construction

Developers want $13 million from city for Strathearn Heights project (Metro)

 

[Daveography]

Hearing this one is going back for rezoning, as they cannot commit to the affordable housing they previous agreed to (which was of course before the financial collapse of 2008), and which - I think, so take it with a grain of salt because I haven't read the DC2 or crunched the numbers - fairly significantly higher than the city's current requirements.

 

[Daveography]

Developer seeks $13M from City for Strathearn Heights overhaul

The City of Edmonton is pushing back against a developer who is seeking $13 million to overhaul a Strathearn property that lies near a future LRT station.

edmonton.ctvnews.ca

 

[quit]

Sounds pie in the sky still.

 

[Daveography]

I think something more transparent and equitable like a grant program or mini-CRL that would see the cost recovered through the increased tax revenues over time would be an acceptable way to go about it.

 

[Daveography]

https://www.facebook.com/StrathearnCL/posts/1806860722791292

 

[quit]

Yikes. Not quite bad faith on their part, but pretty close in my opinion if I'm the city or existing residents. Isn't this one of the key reasons LRT was going down through Strathearn? I was always pretty skeptical given the players involved.

 

[Daveography]

@westcoastjos Yep, I'm already hearing from Strathearn residents with concerns. I mean, it's good that they haven't just given up on the site, but this is going to be a whole new planning and engagement exercise from scratch, basically. Super frustrating for everyone who already put so much time and effort into it. I imagine Holyrood Development Committee will be getting involved with this one.

 

[Daveography]

https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5a6fd14fdc2b4a16edb5d350/t/5e3702ca6ce96b4a7936fc62/1580663499629/Strathearn+Heights+Plan+Update+-+2020-01-29+%281%29.pdf

 

[Daveography]

GEC is working on planning for the new application. Open House coming on February 19. More details in tomorrow's article.

 

[Daveography]

Went to the open house. Main change is 88 Street is no longer a full street, it's been downgraded to a linear park.

First phase will be one tower at the south end of the site, giving current retailers a space to move into. GEC is also architect.

They're aiming for a September Public Hearing, and hoping to start next spring.

Not a fan of the treatment of 87 Street, though. Left them lots of feedback about that.

 

[quit]

Next spring is aggressive. Lot of evictions required between now and then if they want to meet that.

 

[Daveography]

@westcoastjos Not the first phase, which is proposed for the empty greenspace behind the strip mall.

 

[Daveography]

Forgot to mention, there will be a small amount of office space in the first phase (second floor), which I guess makes this technically a true TOD?