Old Strathcona CP rail yard development goes quiet 2 years after major announcement

Residents and businesses in the Old Strathcona area are eager to see the Canadian Pacific Rail Yard developed, but since 2015, they haven’t had any updates.

“It’s limiting the area for use. I feel like it’s kind of the key to the whole neighbourhood,” said Sterling Derk, owner of Derks.

Three years ago, CP removed the tracks crossing Whyte Avenue and now trains rarely travel north past 78 Avenue. In 2015, the company announced the 32-hectare rail yard was slated for development.

However, the city confirmed to Global News it’s still waiting for an application from CP to develop.

“I think there’s a huge eagerness to get on with it and there’s a huge eagerness to do it, but the ball is not in our court. It’s up to CP and Dream, the partner they were working with,” Coun. Ben Henderson said.

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "I think there's a huge eagerness to get on with it and there's a huge eagerness to do it, but the ball is not in our court. It's up to CP and Dream, the partner they were working with," Coun. Ben Henderson said.

“Obviously, whatever happens there will have to be carefully thought out and planned. It’s a big piece of land. It’s created a block to east-west connections,” Henderson said.

Derks has been at its Old Strathcona location, north of the rail yard, since 1979.

Sterling Derk said the development would increase business.

“Even with the minor changes that have gone on in the last five years, foot traffic has probably almost doubled, if not tripled,” he said.

“Someone needs to put pressure on the rail yard to try and develop this and realize that this is an important part of the city.”

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "Someone needs to put pressure on the rail yard to try and develop this and realize that this is an important part of the city."

Condo residents who live next to the rail yard are eager to see the area cleaned up.

“I do get a lot of dust on my window ledges, so I think the air quality could be improved,” said Daniel Munch, a resident of Scona Gardens.

“I would love to see a park. A place where I could go meet some friends,” said condo owner Andy Silva. “Right now there’s a lot of dust.”

CP responded to questions regarding the rail yard with a statement: “Canadian Pacific continues to explore all opportunities for these lands.”

“The railways don’t answer to many people and it’s certainly not to us,” Henderson said.

“I think we’re all waiting. I don’t even know if there are any conversations going on. I certainly haven’t heard of any.”

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "I think we're all waiting. I don't even know if there are any conversations going on. I certainly haven't heard of any."

However, Henderson said he remains optimistic CP will eventually develop the area.