A few thoughts on the cost:
1. $150 million is not very much when it comes to infrastructure. Traffic lights for a single intersection can cost up to $150,000 (source:
http://www.richmond.ca/services/ttp/signals/how.htm). Developers might pay to replace the sidewalk and the streetlights along their property line, but I don't think they're going to replace major infrastructure.
2. The vast majority of the land in VP is not going to be redeveloped within the next 25 years, but we can't just put off repairing sidewalks and other infrastructure. Some of the sidewalks in that area have basically crumbled into non-existence (see:
https://www.google.ca/maps/@51.0378...4!1sAC6omyd6vj4WDkdH-LmdCw!2e0!7i13312!8i6656).
3. A lot of infrastructure cannot be replaced or built in a piecemeal fashion. You have to build it all at once (e.g. an expanded sidewalk, an upgraded sewer system, buried power lines, etc).
4. Amenities spur development. People move into neighbourhoods to be close to parks, retail, cultural institutions, etc. so it's good to add some of these things first. Place-making initiatives around 17th ave and Macleod would probably do wonders for the neighbourhood - better connecting VP with the LRT station, the Saddledome and giving the Stampede grounds more of a year-round purpose.
1. $150 million is huge. It is often more than the amount of money needed to bring on new suburban communities, which are often put on hold or fought against due to their high cost of public dollars. Yes, traffic signals cost about $150,000, I have actually heard closer to $300,000. But again, this is typically a cost born by developers. When you propose a development, typically a TIA (Transportation Impact Assessment) is required if it is a large development. If the study shows that an unsignalized intersection near your development will now be pushed into a performance category that requires signalization, the developer is usually on the hook for it. Same thing goes for undersized water mains and sewer pipes. And, they also pay the "Centre City" levy for these sorts of things as well to cover it. But even if CMLC was to put in traffic signals at every unsignalized intersection in Victoria Park (something I don't think will ever be warranted), that is still only a very minor fraction of the $150 million. And replacing sidewalks isn't that big either. The City is doing all of 17th Ave SW for 44 million:
http://www.calgary.ca/Transportatio...ts/17-Ave-SW-construction-project-vision.aspx
2. I somewhat agree, but will also say we do it everywhere else. Including places that have a lot more people living nearby. Typically, the fix would be for a local improvement bylaw to upgrade the sidewalks, or wait for development to occur. Why does Victoria Park get to jump the queue with additional funding? Especially, as you say, not many people will be living there over the next 25 years?
3. See point 2 above, and basically how every neighbourhood other than EV has re-developed. It is how Brentwood Village ARP is developing for example. It is how half of Victoria Park has already developed, with the many towers built in the past 10 years, and many more planned to be built soon (market pending), such as One Tower, the 4 tower Bentall Kennedy ones on 13th, the two tower Gablecraft homes on the north side of 13th, the Wexford 2 tower development between 11th and 12th, etc...
4. Well, in this specific area, the City has already built the Greenway (13th Ave west of Macleod, 12th Ave east of it), the new park at the corner of Macleod and 12th, the 4th street underpass, and I would hope that the Library and NMC are close enough to count).
I guess I am just concerned about the huge cost, without knowing what is included in it. At the rate CMLC is going, these neighbourhoods are becoming the most heavily subsidized in Calgary, and for the financial future of our City, we may be further ahead with a new greenfield community.
