Reports indicate the Katz Group wants to close down a city street in downtown Edmonton to enhance the arena district.

According to City documents an application to close a portion of a street near the Winter Garden next to Rogers Place has been made by Stantec.

The reports indicate Katz Group wants to build a plaza and parkade, which would require the street to be privately-owned.

The idea is something one member of city council said is worth deeper discussion. 

“As I understand it you can't normally run an underground parkade under a road so we're negotiating,” Ward 6 Councilor Scott McKeen told CTV News.

According to media reports the developer wants to close a portion of 103rd Street off to traffic and create a pedestrian-friendly environment. 

“We are going to calm traffic. We're going to slow it down,” McKeen explained.

“We're going to give a little bit more priority to bikes and pedestrians downtown. And I think that's what people ultimately want. It's going to feel different down there it's going to be much more of a place where you're outside.”

Edmontonians seem to agree it would be a welcome change to the area.

“I think Edmonton’s downtown is starting to become more of an attraction to people. So I think having an area where you can leave the game and go do something, if that street is shut down, I think it brings more people downtown,” Gergia Mader said.

Michael O’Hara called the idea innovative and different.

“I think the whole arena district downtown is going to really revitalize the Edmonton downtown core.

“In order for us to attract young, brilliant minds and give people that urban cosmopolitan feel that we need in Edmonton that is just another step towards that end goal.”

However Mayor Don Iveson said the Katz Group had a long process ahead before they would be able to move forward with the project.  

“Both require the permission of council and both require extensive public hearing and extensive public engagement,” he explained.

“Interested members of the public would understand there's a very long process to go through with a lot of council checkpoints before any decisions would be made.”

Even so, Iveson said the project was worth looking into as it would fit into the entertainment district and the public plaza.

With files from Amanda Anderson