'A win, win, win': Massive addition to proposed gondola plan pitched to councillors
If Edmonton does go ahead with a new gondola over the North Saskatchewan River, a local businessman has a grand idea for what to surround it with on the southern edge of the valley.
Scott Hughes, co-owner of the Ritchie Mill office building, has commissioned a design that includes two mixed-use towers and a second-floor gondola stop built atop underground parking and surrounded by park space.
He's proposing that it be built on the northern tip of End of Steel Park, which is across the street from his building on the corner of Saskatchewan Drive and Tommy Banks Way.
Prairie Sky Gondola wants to build the 2.5 kilometre line from downtown to Old Strathcona and officials with that company are set to meet with city councillors Wednesday to discuss land agreements.
"I'm suggesting let's do a community high rise, mixed market housing so it's affordable. Let's build something with the gondola attached to it so it can be a true transit-oriented development and then we have something that's a win, win, win," Hughes explained to CTV News Edmonton Tuesday.
Hughes said he is not involved with Prairie Sky, instead he's getting involved over concerns that gondola infrastructure will swallow up the parking spaces he needs to run his business.
The design he's proposing includes a skywalk between towers and enough parking for residents and nearby businesses. Hughes said the financials haven't been sorted, but he's interested in taking a financial stake, if the city and gondola company do the same.
"I've been in commercial real estate for over 25 years, my whole career. So once we get the vision and we get the commitment from everybody, we'll make it work from a financial standpoint," Hughes stated.
"Whether the gondola gets approved or not, this is something that we want to provide the community as an idea to develop housing."
Hughes sent a letter Monday outlining his proposal to city councillors and said the feedback he's received so far has been positive.
Prairie Sky Gondola President Jeffrey Hansen-Carlson told CTV News Edmonton Tuesday night that he was unaware of Hughes' proposal, but that he would have more to say on Wednesday.
Prairie Sky has promised that the gondola, which is proposed to be built and running by 2026, will "never cost the city or its taxpayers any money, either directly or indirectly."
The company's website states that if conditional approval is received from council it will start "environmental, geotechnical, archeological, palaeontology and heritage impact assessments as well as design and public and Indigenous engagement."
With files from CTV News Edmonton's Amanda Anderson
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
B.C. child killer's lawyer walks out of review hearing
The lawyer representing child-killer Allan Schoenborn walked out of his client's annual review hearing Wednesday – abruptly ending proceedings marked by tense exchanges and several outbursts.
Why drivers in Ontario, Quebec and Atlantic Canada will see a gas price spike, and other Canadians won't
Drivers in Eastern Canada face a big increase in gas prices because of various factors, especially the higher cost of the summer blend, industry analysts say.
'A living nightmare': Winnipeg woman sentenced following campaign of harassment against man after online date
A Winnipeg woman was sentenced to house arrest after a single date with a man she met online culminated in her harassing him for years, and spurred false allegations which resulted in the innocent man being arrested three times.
How to avoid the trap of becoming 'house poor'
The journey to home ownership can be exciting, but personal finance columnist Christopher Liew warns about the trappings of becoming 'house poor' -- where an overwhelming portion of your income is devoured by housing costs. Liew offers some practical strategies to maintain better financial health while owning a home.
It's the biggest election in history. Here's why few Indians in Canada will take part
In the Indian general election that gets underway on Friday, almost a billion people are eligible to vote, but a vast majority of the overseas Indian community in Canada won't be casting a ballot.
McDonald's customers left with 'zero value' collection of free hot drink stickers after company ends program
It took years for Vinnie Deluca to collect more than 400 cards worth of free McDonald's McCafe coffee, a collection that now has "zero value" after the company discontinued the program.
Juror dismissed in Trump hush money trial as prosecutors ask for former president to face contempt
Prosecutors in the hush money trial of Donald Trump asked Thursday for the former president to be held in contempt and fined because of seven social media posts that they said violated a judge's gag order barring him from attacking witnesses.
Toxic forever chemicals in drinking water: Is Canada doing enough?
As the United States sets its first national limits on toxic forever chemicals in drinking water, researchers say Canada is lagging when it comes to regulations.
Where did the gold go? Crime expert weighs in on unfolding Pearson airport heist investigation
Almost 7,000 bars of pure gold were stolen from Pearson International Airport exactly one year ago during an elaborate heist, but so far only a tiny fraction of that stolen loot has been found.