One of the most anticipated redevelopment projects in Edmonton is officially kicking off. Property manager Morguard has partnered with Calgary-based B&A Planning Group for the opening phase of redeveloping Bonnie Doon Mall.

Bonnie Doon Mall, image via Google Maps

Dubbed Connect Bonnie Doon, the project aims to completely reshape the 60-year-old mall at the corner of 82 (Whyte) Avenue and 83 Street. The mall will be at the virtual doorstep of the Bonnie Doon Station on the Valley Line LRT, slated to start service in 2020, making it a prime location for Transit-Oriented Development (TOD).

Excerpt from the project handout, courtesy Morguard and B&A

No concrete plans are being presented at this time; instead, the companies are providing a set of guiding principles alongside visual examples of "design inspiration" that they hope to emulate in their proposal.

Example of one of the Principles in the project handout, courtesy Morguard and B&A

Mall tenants, area residents, and surrounding communities are being asked for their feedback on the vision and principles, which can be viewed at the Inspiration Centre opening in the mall beginning January 25, and will be open Wednesdays to Saturdays during mall hours.

The Inspiration Centre inside Bonnie Doon Mall, image by Dave Sutherland

Community League representatives from surrounding neighbourhoods were provided a preview of the Inspiration Centre last week.

Project members gave a preview to Community League representatives, image by Dave Sutherland

An open house is being held on January 30 at La Cite Francophone, 8627 Rue Marie-Anne Gaboury, from 5:30 pm to 8:30 PM. This open house will also be attended by city staff, who will be collecting feedback on the proposal.

Those unable to make it to either location can view the materials and provide feedback on the project's website, connectbonniedoon.com.

Project timeline from the project handout, courtesy Morguard and B&A

The public consultation process is expected to continue through September this year, with a target of having the rezoning proposal before City Council in the fall. The full build-out of the redevelopment is expected to take place over a 30-year period.

What do you think about the principles and vision so far? Leave your comments below or in the project's forum thread, where you can also find more information and images about the proposal.