Rossdale

[degrandprix]

^ Certainly not a parking lot. (oops, too soon)

You joke, but I bet a lot of proposals failed due to a lack of parking in the area

 

[kcantor]

Why not make it a home for a U of A School of Architecture accompanied by a "museum of architecture and planning and engineering and construction" with a focus on indigenous contributions in all of these areas? Edmonton has a long-standing reputation in all of these disciplines even without yet having and actual School of Architecture.

The development could also include a "business office" that would allow smaller municipalities or regional districts or Bands not just locally but provincially, nationally and internationally who cannot afford to employ full-time staff to access architectural and planning and engineering input for specific projects/needs. This could be combined with or part of student coop programs or PHD programs that would allow students to work on "real world" and simply theoretical models and could include sponsorship and/or participation by Edmonton design and construction firms.

 

[Ohman]

I'm touring it in March.

Checking to see how many cars can fit in the hollowed out façade?

 

[Ohman]

The Spokane project is very impressive, and there are plenty of examples of similar projects around the world. Most of them aren’t especially complicated, like an art gallery (something like the Tate Modern in London). The Matadero in Madrid is another strong example for a more experimental space than a traditional gallery model. The main point is that this doesn’t have to be hard or fully figured out from day one. It can start simple and grow as the surrounding area changes, which is a lot better than the current approach of doing nothing for decades.

 

[SarcasticMarmot]

I'm very biased, but it would be amazing if even part of it could be turned into a large roped climbing gym. Something equivalent to the Calgary Climbing Centre's Rocky Mountain location, only way more atmospheric. Edmonton's rope gyms are all pretty meh with fatal flaws so something like this would be amazing. I've talked to the owners of a couple of the gyms and they felt the same, biggest problem is that the money the city wants to re-coop is wildly unfeasible. This kind of proposal would mean no need to build additional floors into the structure as many climbing walls are self supporting. You could easily incorporate some cafe/restaurant proposals into something like that and it would provide activation all day and evening. Would need a parking solution.

 

[thommyjo]

I'm very biased, but it would be amazing if even part of it could be turned into a large roped climbing gym. Something equivalent to the Calgary Climbing Centre's Rocky Mountain location, only way more atmospheric. Edmonton's rope gyms are all pretty meh with fatal flaws so something like this would be amazing. I've talked to the owners of a couple of the gyms and they felt the same, biggest problem is that the money the city wants to re-coop is wildly unfeasible. This kind of proposal would mean no need to build additional floors into the structure as many climbing walls are self supporting. You could easily incorporate some cafe/restaurant proposals into something like that and it would provide activation all day and evening. Would need a parking solution.

Parking solution needs to be 1) gondola 2) improved transit 3) underground parkades from midrises, like what mercury block has provided 124st.

 

[Gronk!]

Parking solution needs to be 1) gondola 2) improved transit 3) underground parkades from midrises, like what mercury block has provided 124st.

4) walking
5) cycling

 

[thommyjo]

4) walking
5) cycling

Both are quite good already and Rossdale transportation plan is improving. But yes, those are key. I primarily bike river valley road MUP to get here.

But for any business to survive the winter, we have to be realistic that non active modes are critical connections.

 

[Yeggy]

Love the idea Ken sadly though it doesn’t do much for the community and the HBC building would already make a great school of architecture.

 

[David A]

When I spend time in places like Montreal's Old Port, Winnipeg's Forks and Vancouver's Granville Island, there is signage promoting federal investments in these spaces as national historic sites everywhere.

This is the critical partnership that is missing. And fortunately, this site's location adjacent to key Indigenous and fur trading sites makes such a partnership viable. All that is missing is vision and provincial leadership that sees itself as Canadian.

I feel the main problem is the missing vision. If there is a potential Federal investment because of the history of the site, then that should be between them and the City.

All the province needs to do is just stay out of it, so no leadership actually required by them.

 

[David A]

You joke, but I bet a lot of proposals failed due to a lack of parking in the area

You really only just need a small drop off area. Lets not forget there is parking nearby the ball park that could probably also be used for this.

 

[Tropical]

I feel the main problem is the missing vision. If there is a potential Federal investment because of the history of the site, then that should be between them and the City.

All the province needs to do is just stay out of it, so no leadership actually required by them.

I assure you that all 3 compable sites that I mentioned have significant provincial funding attached to them.

 

[CplKlinger]

Request for Prequalification. River Crossing Park - Engagement consultant to undertake Indigenous and Public Engagement