Yeah, it sucks now and it'll suck after, I get it. But this could easily be a green space, maybe some basketball hoops, food trucks, as a temporary measure before anything is built. Positioning this as a win for downtown when you know it is nothing but a cash grab for Westerich, perhaps indefinitely, is lame.
Why don't you buy the land and build your vision? Easy (and boring) to carp from the sidelines. Boring.Yeah, it sucks now and it'll suck after, I get it. But this could easily be a green space, maybe some basketball hoops, food trucks, as a temporary measure before anything is built. Positioning this as a win for downtown when you know it is nothing but a cash grab for Westerich, perhaps indefinitely, is lame.
You seem to be forgetting that it will be taxpayer dollars paid by those on the sidelines that will end up paying for this…Why don't you buy the land and build your vision? Easy (and boring) to carp from the sidelines. Boring.
Exactly my thoughts. Put a basketball court there in the summer and try for an ice rink in the winter, at least until it's ready for build out.Yeah, it sucks now and it'll suck after, I get it. But this could easily be a green space, maybe some basketball hoops, food trucks, as a temporary measure before anything is built. Positioning this as a win for downtown when you know it is nothing but a cash grab for Westerich, perhaps indefinitely, is lame.
1. “Hopefully the market conditions improve for a building there one day”
2. “Well at least it's not just a parking lot, there will be retail”
3. “I hear exciting coffee place is opening up a location in the seacan”
4. “I hope the coffee shop can expand its hours, its annoying that it closes at 3pm”
5. “I noticed the shop is now closed up, anyone hear anything?”
6. “Hopefully something else can open up in the space”
7. “Retail at that corner can’t make it in the current market”
8. “There's a permit in for removing the seacan and adding a few more spots”
Repeat Cycle
We are currently at step 2 of the timeline
Sadly I fear you are correct. With Westrich the lot will get developed eventually, but it'll be a 6 storey wood frame project that would easily blend into Sherwood Park. On the other hand getting rid of empty lots is still a priority for Edmonton.^ nailed it.
I mean no disrespect to Westrich, but this is akin to making a deal with the devil.
We get arguably the greatest eyesore in the city cleaned up and ownership is transferred to a company who has developed more inner-city space in Edmonton than any other company in the past ten years.
In exchange, we walk back on numerous planning and land use principles and best practices, potentially setting ugly precedent in the process, while receiving no guarantee to see anything built beyond a seacan and pavement.