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Arlington Site | ?m | 33s | Kota Contracting | Der+Associates

JNO1 said:
Every time I feel a little bit of hope that our core may be improving I just walk/drive by this site, the Teglar/BMO site, the site of the proposed Emerald tower, anywhere in the Quarters, (etc., etc.), and all that hope disappears. The fact that this site has been in this shape for more than two decades is a sad indictment of the complete ineffectiveness of our laws/bylaws as well as the leadership in this city.
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Almost two decades. The fire was in 2005.
 
It's really sad to see some sections of Edmonton that never really recovered. Boyle Street was torn down in the Late 60's-Early 70's for new developments. A lot of the houses south of 100 Avenue (105-108 Street) were torn down, with nothing new built. The area around the Ice District sat largely empty as parking lots. Was it land speculation?

There has been some improvement (like 104 Street), but downtown still has empty spaces.
 
I blame the Arlington situation on unfortunate events, a belligerent owner and the city in that order. However, it was a unique and difficult situation for everyone to deal with. But even worse, like a black hole the problem has expanded, you can see the effect it has had on the nearby commercial spaces, three nearby spaces that used to be vibrant are now also empty. Understandable, as who would like to live or work next to such a dump?

It is frustrating that our current elected officials seem unable to deal effectively with so many problems. I do think the voters notice and hopefully will choose better in the next election. I think several smug, but less than competent politicians will be surprised by the voters response.

The BMO site has even a longer more convoluted history, part of which relates to the city's management of the LRT line construction (or lack of). Again everyone involved in this should be ashamed of themselves.
 
Quick update - the fence has been taken down and removed from site for the past week but does not look like anything at all is happening, and certainly the weeds and site condition has not improved.

Anyone have any insights?
 
David A said:
I blame the Arlington situation on unfortunate events, a belligerent owner and the city in that order. However, it was a unique and difficult situation for everyone to deal with. But even worse, like a black hole the problem has expanded, you can see the effect it has had on the nearby commercial spaces, three nearby spaces that used to be vibrant are now also empty. Understandable, as who would like to live or work next to such a dump?

It is frustrating that our current elected officials seem unable to deal effectively with so many problems. I do think the voters notice and hopefully will choose better in the next election. I think several smug, but less than competent politicians will be surprised by the voters response.

The BMO site has even a longer more convoluted history, part of which relates to the city's management of the LRT line construction (or lack of). Again everyone involved in this should be ashamed of themselves.
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It's interesting to see how Ashley Salvador tackled derelict properties in her ward and succeeded! She managed to lobby for legislation to make them illegal and forced redevelopment for some of them. Meanwhile, Anne Stevenson doesn't seem to have a vision or motivation to take action, despite significant public interest.
 
CaptainBL said:
Quick update - the fence has been taken down and removed from site for the past week but does not look like anything at all is happening, and certainly the weeds and site condition has not improved.

Anyone have any insights?
Click to expand...

The site was to have been backfilled (order of Council ~10yrs ago) and sodded with a removal of the fence to ensure it was not a risk of entrapment, didn't fall on someone and didn't collect garbage.
 
davcocom said:
It's interesting to see how Ashley Salvador tackled derelict properties in her ward and succeeded! She managed to lobby for legislation to make them illegal and forced redevelopment for some of them. Meanwhile, Anne Stevenson doesn't seem to have a vision or motivation to take action, despite significant public interest.
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One of the term highlights for Salvador for sure. Great gusto shown here that will benefit all areas of the city.
 
I first posted this idea in the Downtown Real Estate thread but I want to post this here:

How about turning this derelict lot into Arlington Park?

The City should just bite the bullet and expropriate this property from the Singh family. They can transform it to a park that's similar to Alex Decoteau Park c/w a dog run and a water fountain.

1731200407804.png


1731200485206.png
 
archited said:
plus there is a mural wall just waiting for a magical creation.
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VW is there already now and actually looks fairly good. I don't know if we have a shortage of park space any more with the nearby central park and the Blue Cross park (with its very nice mural also btw), but if you are going to have an empty unkempt lot for such a long time, why not clean it up and turn it into something decent people nearby can use and enjoy.
 
Yes, you are right -- we should just leave it as it is for another decade or two (I'm facetious in the a.m.). If proposing a park for the site with the threat of Municipal Expropriation and a few renderings to support a pocket-park with an in-place coffee plus patisserie spot gets the current owners to move to either develop or sell then I'm in support.
 
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