The City of Edmonton wants citizens to help come up with a new redevelopment plan for the area around Coliseum Station.
The plan “will establish a new long-term vision that will guide the future evolution of this important site,” the city said in a news release.
“The plan… will integrate and coordinate with ongoing work in the area, including plans to repurpose the existing arena (formerly Rexall Place), the Coliseum LRT Station improvements, and local revitalization initiatives,” the city release said.
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“That land that’s leased to Northlands currently is about 160 acres, but the study area will probably be a little bit larger than that to think about how the area relates to the existing communities and development around it,” urban planner Mo Bot explained.
Bot said transit would be part of that discussion.
“We’re going to be looking at how people move around the site, how they access all of the different things on the site, and so yeah, improving connections to the LRT station and the surrounding buildings is definitely part of the scope.”
READ MORE: Edmonton city council buys Hockey Canada’s Northlands Coliseum vision
Two open houses will be held Monday:
- City Hall, City Room from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
- Bellevue Community League (7308 – 112 Avenue) from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.
People can also provide input online from June 1 to 30.
“A new Coliseum Station Area Redevelopment Plan will build upon first-generation transit oriented development plans in the area to establish a new vision for the Northlands site and nearby properties,” the website reads.
The city is also looking for up to 15 people to join a volunteer community stakeholder group to give advice and share insights. To apply, visit this website prior to July 4.
READ MORE: Report raises new questions about future of Northlands Coliseum
Since the Edmonton Oilers moved from Northlands Coliseum to Rogers Place, the city and Northlands have been looking at ways to use the arena.
In April, the city indicated it would support Hockey Canada’s vision of installing four sheets of ice, a running track, classrooms and other amenities to form a centre of excellence at the former home of the NHL’s Edmonton Oilers.
However, a report released in May complicated matters. It found that it would cost significantly less money to tear down the arena and build a new facility.
Bot said the only sure thing is that the Expo Centre will remain.
“Beyond that, we’re not really sure what the site is going to look like. So it’s quite open ended now. We do expect to check in with council throughout the process. As we learn more information throughout our study and through talking to the community, we’ll be looking for council to help us sort of narrow things down.”
— With files from 630 CHED
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