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The first phase of the transformative Blatchford redevelopment, Blatchford West, is what the parade of construction crews on the former airport lands are currently working towards. Over eight thousand metres of water mains, storm and sanitary sewers, and distribution piping have been laid for the District Energy Sharing System. Some 1,400 metres of curb and gutters have been constructed. The massive sustainable development will install a brand new urban-minded community in the heart of the old City Centre Airport lands, and 2017 continued its glide towards realization.
The City's "Blatchford Redevelopment year in review" gives Edmontonians a sense of what was accomplished in the last 12 months. In addition to the groundworks and early infrastructural additions to the sweeping property, over 121,000 tonnes of concrete and asphalt have so far been recycled for re-use on the site.
With the sewers and piping installed, the first stage of the District Energy Sharing System, which will provide the community with energy for heating, cooling and hot water, is expected to start construction in early 2018. The installation of the geo-exchange field under the future storm pond is also expected at this time. Then, crews will begin focusing on above-ground aspects of the development. Additional work carried out will include onsite and furrow landscaping, paving and entrance features.
The request for expression of interest, the solicitation of potential builders for the first phase, closes today. Negotiations with selected builders will begin in the first quarter of 2018. They will be in charge of executing the project's 12-parcel inaugural phase, which introduces a range of housing types, including fee-simple townhouses, condominium townhouses, stacked townhouses, and mixed-use buildings.
When the dust settles, Blatchford will be home to 30,000 Edmontonians. And its 570 geothermal wells, producing heat for 1,200 units, will make the development one of the most sustainable in the country.
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