Touch the Water Promenade / River Valley "Seawall"

[Out of Towner]

This a very academic debate because there are no high end condos being built in Rossdale now and there haven't been for many years. Probably the lack of amenities nearby is a big problem and it has become a chicken and egg thing - not much around, not attractive to develop. Not a lot of people around, not much incentive for more commercial development, so not much has happened for decades.

However, I think the other examples of areas with failed or stalled development in Edmonton are not great comparisons. This area is nothing like Boyle street and could be made very appealing with the proper tweaks.

I do agree something that incorporates a strong appeal to tourists/visitors is likely to succeed here more than something else because of the area's limited population. But it does not have to be either/or, adding amenities and commercial development can make the area more appealing to both visitors and people living nearby.

The participation of Rossdale would be important to the success of a cross country ski resort in the river valley. Doubtful that the large grocery or retail chains would be interested in that kind of a development but independent businesses likely would be. May sound like crazy talk but a lot of the trails are already there and a center piece hotel complex shouldn't be that great of a jump. Dedicate the streets into a walkable village like you see at Whistler and other resorts and I'm sure it would be a feather in the city's cap.

 

[Habibfazil]

This a very academic debate because there are no high end condos being built in Rossdale now and there haven't been for many years. Probably the lack of amenities nearby is a big problem and it has become a chicken and egg thing - not much around, not attractive to develop. Not a lot of people around, not much incentive for more commercial development, so not much has happened for decades.

However, I think the other examples of areas with failed or stalled development in Edmonton are not great comparisons. This area is nothing like Boyle street and could be made very appealing with the proper tweaks.

I do agree something that incorporates a strong appeal to tourists/visitors is likely to succeed here more than something else because of the area's limited population. But it does not have to be either/or, adding amenities and commercial development can make the area more appealing to both visitors and people living nearby.

Merely replying to another posters comment about building high end condo's, just can't allow our river valley become a play thing for the wealthy, no?

IF the power plant area is done properly, it could be a draw, has to be more than restaurants, but winter is a killer...

 

[Avenuer]

The power plant reuse is a great idea but who will pay for it? It will be in the hundreds of millions for sure and we all know the City has no money to fund that right now.

 

[IanO]

99yr lease for a private developer with additional air rights and river access (Feds).

 

[Hqcan]

It's been a few years since I moved from YEG to DT YYC and in that time I've seen the entire Bow Riverwalk and pathways on the Eau Claire side of the river get transformed. And now this:

Concept design chosen for new public area along Bow River

Meanwhile we continue to do absolutely nothing...

 

[MacLac]

It's been a few years since I moved from YEG to DT YYC and in that time I've seen the entire Bow Riverwalk and pathways on the Eau Claire side of the river get transformed. And now this:

Concept design chosen for new public area along Bow River

Meanwhile we continue to do absolutely nothing...

Apples to Kumquats…..a 6” deep trout stream with no valley compared to an actual river with a deep cut valley.

 

[Airboy]

Apples to Kumquats…..a 6” deep trout stream with no valley compared to an actual river with a deep cut valley.

As well the river depth in YYC is relatively stable compared to the NS which can change by 2-10 meters in 24hrs. Other than some spring high waters and a flood a few years back the Bow is very controlled up stream. Id love to see touch the water completed but there are so many limitations in our river.

 

[David A]

There also seems to be nothing going on with the old Power Plant building or really any development in west Rossdale. The same old houses from 50 years ago, less some that have been burnt or torn down, so more empty lots.

There is no limitation to our inaction in this area, which actually could be quite an asset to the city, but currently is run down and neglected.

Other cities, really many other cities, are more can do and have much more imagination and success in redeveloping the areas around their waterfronts. We just have a sad list of reasons for doing nothing.

 

[JaayJR]

There is no limitation to our inaction in this area, which actually could be quite an asset to the city, but currently is run down and neglected.

Pretty sure what's holding this project and area back is the Gondola outcome. That set Rossdale, this project and the entire River Crossing plans back years.

Last update mentions Spring 2024.
I hope more information comes out soon or in 2025.

 

[thommyjo]

We can’t do the same as Calgary, Chicago, Vancouver with their waterfront cause ours is different. But we could do A LOT BETTER than what we have. 0 imagination or effort. Walterdale bridge helped a bunch. But that whole central section should be highly invested in to be way more beautiful, a destination, more space for faster and slower modes, shops, tourist appeal, etc.

 

[TAS]

I made an inquiry this week with Councillors Stevenson and Paquette about status of this project and the work with Indigenous groups the city wanted to do after the failed gondola project. I heard back from Paquette's EA.

"We were informed by the City that they have already consulted with Indigenous leaders. This is in line with the City Council motion, made in August 2022, to provide direct input on the implementation of the River Crossing Business plan, Touch the Water and future developments on the Rossdale flats location.

The City will be making its recommendations and next steps for the projects from those meetings public soon, although we were not given a timeline yet.

We hope to get there sooner rather than later, but the City said this is a long-term project that will take several years to complete."

 

[David A]

Long term!!! ? How long has the power plant been closed now. And some of those lots nearby have already been empty now for 30 years or more.

 

[archited]

And some of those lots nearby have already been empty now for 30 years or more

more like 60 years.

 

[Out of Towner]

There also seems to be nothing going on with the old Power Plant building or really any development in west Rossdale. The same old houses from 50 years ago, less some that have been burnt or torn down, so more empty lots.

There is no limitation to our inaction in this area, which actually could be quite an asset to the city, but currently is run down and neglected.

Other cities, really many other cities, are more can do and have much more imagination and success in redeveloping the areas around their waterfronts. We just have a sad list of reasons for doing nothing.

Perhaps the Riverwalk project in Calgary will shame Edmonton into doing something.