Community Development - Blatchford

[EdmTrekker]

Thank you for sharing that.

[wutsgudhomz]

Originally Posted by Hallsy's Toupee

Went to the second half of the open house today, including the second presentation.

1. A lake with a beach could still go ahead in the big park in the north part of Blatchford if funding allows for it. Apparently I'm not alone with this concern because I was told this is the most popular item being asked about. Engineering dude from project team expressed concerns about cost, maintenance (e.g. keeping algae out), parking and such. I mentioned 3 reasons for going ahead with it: 1) greater marketability of the area 2) a beach there would be preferable than the silly "sand park" halfway up the hill from the river valley, and 3) gives lake lovers an in-city option besides going out to Sylvan Lake or wherever. If funding is a concern, I suggested they could do a CRL for the area. Engineering dude suggested writing to council, which I will do.

2. Also suggested that they consider linking 118 Ave together, and extending 109 St to the Yellowhead. They don't have to be freeways, but better linkages to other parts of the city would be beneficial. This proposed community still needs thoroughfares for vehicles, transit buses and some commercial traffic (goods and services still need to get into it).

3. Things I wasn't aware of, which I liked:
a) Old airport buildings are not being demolished and thrown into the dumpster; they are being dismantled. Some buildings will be rebuilt elsewhere (akin to Alberta Hotel), for the others the materials will be reused in some fashion.
b) Large hill in the park will be created from earth excavation of the site, will be a viewpoint of Blatchford and the downtown skyline.
c) Stormwater ponds will have wide promenades and walkways along them

4. The door is not shut on highrises in Blatchford - those can still be rezoned for the east part along the LRT area if the demand warrants it. Right now they are looking at a 40 year build-out of highrises in downtown, Oliver and Quarters and they don't want Blatchford to compete with those.

5. Looks like I just missed meeting our glorious leader there, he spoke at the first presentation today; would have loved expressing my thoughts directly to Iveson himself.

Thanks for taking your time for this.

[Coldrsx]

Update on phase 1:
















www.edmonton.ca

[Coldrsx]

http://www.businessinedmonton.com

[Coldrsx]

The west district will be the first residential area constructed in Blatchford. With work already underway at the site, the City is aiming to have the first residents living in the community in 2016/2017.

Find out more at Blatchford homes.

http://www.edmonton.ca/blatchfordedm...ord-homes.aspx

Top five in 2015

The City has a busy year planned for Blatchford! Here are the top five project milestones for 2015:

1. Building the infrastructure. As the developer, the City is responsible for installing underground utilities, roads and parks. Grading of the site, digging the first stormwater pond and construction of infrastructure is expected to begin this summer.

2. Finalizing a holistic energy strategy. The City is currently investigating the best way to deliver on the vision to build a sustainable community that uses 100 per cent renewable energy and is carbon neutral. A recommendation for a holistic energy strategy will be presented to City Council this year.

3. Setting architectural guidelines. Architectural guidelines help to set the look, feel and character of a neighbourhood. The City is currently in the process of setting the design guidelines for the first stage of development in Blatchford.

4. Developing building performance standards. All buildings in Blatchford will be designed to be energy efficient and to reduce water and energy usage. In order to achieve these high environmental goals, the City is setting sustainable building standards for all homes and buildings.

5. Selecting homebuilders. The City will sell lots to pre-qualified builders who will sell directly to homebuyers. The builders for the first stage of development will be selected this year.

http://www.edmonton.ca/blatchfordedm...ord-homes.aspx

[Coldrsx]

This would be interesting to learn more about.

Mar 24 Exec Comm - postponed
5.4
Recreational Lake in Blatchford
Revised Due Date:
May 26, 2015

[rapid_business]

It would. I thought it was just being relegated to a glorified, naturalized SWMF?

[Hallsy's Toupee]

When I was at a Blatchford dog & pony show at the Nova hotel last summer, I heard that the number 1 thing that was asked about was the lake. So I'm glad this hasn't been ruled out yet.

[Hallsy's Toupee]

Cost to remediate first phase of Blatchford site significantly under budget
http://ow.ly/Nzf7O

As the City of Edmonton gets ready to begin construction on the Blatchford development, it has released the results of the first stage of remediation work at the site. The cost to remove contaminants from the west side of the site around the former air traffic control tower cost $292,738, far less than the $1 million originally budgeted.

“For this first phase of remediation, the information we had from the testing was accurate in terms of where contamination was located and what types of contaminants we would find,” says Mark Hall, Executive Director, Blatchford Redevelopment project. “Environmental testing has been happening at this site since 1985. With 30 years of information to support our remediation process, we are well positioned to successfully remediate any areas of concern.”

The City has contracted Golder Associates, a global company that has remediated thousands of sites around the world, to oversee the testing and remediation process.

“Golder draws upon our network of 500 specialists who are trained in soil, sediment, groundwater and hazardous building materials remediation. We are working closely with the Blatchford Redevelopment office to develop an effective remediation plan to address the identified areas of contamination and ensure the land is safe for development,” says Arthur Cole, Senior Environmental Engineer, Golder Associates.

In the area remediated, crews removed 3,253 tonnes of petrochemical hydrocarbons (e.g. fuel, oil, grease, solvents) from a 6.53 hectare area.

Summary results:

• All locations with potential contamination are on the perimeter of the site and are related to historic building use.
• Fifteen building locations on the site were identified as needing further investigation. The locations will undergo additional testing as they are prepared for future development.
• Three of the 15 locations are now remediated. Additional remediation will occur over the course of the development.
• Any areas of contamination will be remediated to meet provincial environmental standards.

The City also released the recycling numbers from the first stage of deconstruction. In 2014/2015, six buildings were removed from the Blatchford site. The City set a goal to divert a minimum of 85% of buildings materials from the landfill. This goal was exceeded for the first stage of deconstruction with 90% of building materials diverted from the landfill.

The first stage of construction at Blatchford is scheduled to begin later this year.

[canucklehead2]

Hope the community is going to have strong architectural standards. Please no pressboard and vinyl-clad monsters. Lord knows the city is already littered with them!

[McBoo]

Originally Posted by Hallsy's Toupee

Cost to remediate first phase of Blatchford site significantly under budget
http://ow.ly/Nzf7O

And another Non-Vision Deadmonton bogey-man self immolates.

Really though, what's interesting is that some of the features once taken away as "too expensive" are being re-considered.

I was never a big fan of the pneumatic trash plan, but as for the lake, just look to the suburban lake communities. You buy property, it comes with an annual maintenance bill for the lake and beach. Done.

[Coldrsx]

You will want to go to Edmonton.ca for all of this info, June 22 Council Meeting, for there is a 37 page report along with a 10 pager from S&D.
















edmonton.ca

[Coldrsx]

Blatchford Redefines Community Design


June 22, 2015

City Council has approved the first special area zones for the Blatchford community, making Blatchford one step closer to becoming one of the world’s largest sustainable communities.

"Building a community that functions and feels different than a typical neighbourhood requires examining every choice right from the beginning," says Mark Hall, Executive Director, Blatchford Redevelopment. "At each step of the development process, including zoning, we are examining what we can do to create a community like no other in Canada."

Some of the unique elements of the approved Blatchford zone include:

The building design in Blatchford will create an urban feel that contributes to a vibrant and unique street life. Ground floor residential units will have private entries facing directly onto the street to create a direct connection to the community.
Mixed-use buildings in residential areas will be zoned for small-scale retail only. Drive-throughs will not be permitted.
All residential and commercial parking will be located underground or at the rear of buildings. There will be no front driveways or garages.
Buildings will require double the amount of bicycle parking normally required.
Secondary and garage suites in the townhomes. In addition to increasing density in the community, the approved development of these suites in townhomes will help support Blatchford's affordable housing goals.
Solar panels, rooftop decks and gardens.
Community gardens and greenhouses located in park spaces.
Construction of the first stage of development on the west side of the site is scheduled to begin later this year.

Council’s vision for Blatchford is to create a community with family-oriented housing, urban agriculture, enhanced urban design, improved affordability, and additional green space.

www.edmonton.ca

[kcantor]

Originally Posted by Coldrsx

Blatchford Redefines Community Design


June 22, 2015

City Council has approved the first special area zones for the Blatchford community, making Blatchford one step closer to becoming one of the world’s largest sustainable communities.

"Building a community that functions and feels different than a typical neighbourhood requires examining every choice right from the beginning," says Mark Hall, Executive Director, Blatchford Redevelopment. "At each step of the development process, including zoning, we are examining what we can do to create a community like no other in Canada."

Some of the unique elements of the approved Blatchford zone include:

The building design in Blatchford will create an urban feel that contributes to a vibrant and unique street life. Ground floor residential units will have private entries facing directly onto the street to create a direct connection to the community.
Mixed-use buildings in residential areas will be zoned for small-scale retail only. Drive-throughs will not be permitted.
All residential and commercial parking will be located underground or at the rear of buildings. There will be no front driveways or garages.
Buildings will require double the amount of bicycle parking normally required.
Secondary and garage suites in the townhomes. In addition to increasing density in the community, the approved development of these suites in townhomes will help support Blatchford's affordable housing goals.
Solar panels, rooftop decks and gardens.
Community gardens and greenhouses located in park spaces.
Construction of the first stage of development on the west side of the site is scheduled to begin later this year.

Council’s vision for Blatchford is to create a community with family-oriented housing, urban agriculture, enhanced urban design, improved affordability, and additional green space.

www.edmonton.ca

am i the only one that gets the urge to go buy a shovel after reading that?

courtesy of merriam webster:

1. unique -the only one.
2. a. unique - without a like or equal.
2. b. unique - distinctive.
3. unique - unusual.

perhaps this usage is a reversion to a much earlier definition of the word (same source):

H. J. Todd entered it as a foreign word in his edition (1818) of Johnson's Dictionary, characterizing it as “affected and useless.”

there is nothing on that list either individually or in combination that is "unique". are the objectives laudible? most certainly. but at its most successful, what is being implemented will not be what it could have been and it certainly won't be unique other than perhaps in a very local parochial sense.

[Coldrsx]

City breaks ground at Blatchford

Media are invited to join Mayor Don Iveson, Councillor Bev Esslinger and Mark Hall, the Executive Director of the Blatchford Redevelopment project, as they break ground on one of the world’s largest sustainable communities.

Date: Wednesday, August 12, 2015
Time: 10:30 a.m.
Location: Blatchford (meet at the former airport control tower, 31 Airport Road)
Parking will be reserved for media next to the control tower. Personal protective equipment is not required for this event, but footwear appropriate for a gravel and dirt surface is recommended.

For more information: Visit BlatchfordEdmonton.ca

[Airboy]

Saw quite a bit of equipment working on the north east corner of the property over the weekend.

[hilman]

https://twitter.com/GlobalDeanT


https://twitter.com/ctvedmonton

[s211]

Originally Posted by hilman

https://twitter.com/ctvedmonton

Ummm, not even prairie dogs showed up for this PR event?

[hilman]

LOVE this image.

Ground has been broken at the Blatchford Redevelopment project, the site of the former Edmonton City Centre airport.

The city touts it as one of the world's largest sustainable communities. Construction actually began last Saturday on the first phase of residential development and a section of the central park. Once the site is graded and excavation for the first stormwater pond is complete, installation of underground utilities will begin.

“Blatchford demonstrates Edmonton’s commitment to achieving a healthier, more sustainable and enriched lifestyle for our residents,” says Mayor Don Iveson. “This is a once-in-a-lifetime city building opportunity that will allow us to demonstrate extraordinary leadership. Blatchford will become a significant part of the Edmonton story and will help advance our reputation on a national and international stage.”

Removal and recycling of buildings continues on the site. The first residents could be living in Blatchford as early as 2016/2017.

The city says Blatchford will “meet all dimensions of sustainable development”:

- Social sustainability includes health and well-being, livability and community spirit.

- Environmental sustainability includes how we plan land use, energy, transportation, water, waste and urban ecology.

- Economical sustainability is housing affordability, employment, economic vitality, infrastructure and revenues for the City.

http://www.edmontonsun.com/2015/08/1...ound-is-broken

[itom 987]

The pond looks disgusting in that picture.