Edmonton’s Mayor publicly responded to the Vision 2020 plan set out by Northlands Wednesday morning, he said he liked some of the ideas – but there were issues with others.

Northlands’ Vision 2020 is a massive redevelopment plan which includes a huge festival site, where the horse racing track currently stands, an expansion of the Expo Centre’s Hall D and a two-storey complex with multiple ice rinks where the Rexall Place stands.

The cost, estimated by Northlands, is believed to be $165 million.

However, a report from City administration pegs the cost at about $230 million, and said the plan is lacking proof that all the ideas are viable.

The report issued by the city is critical of parts of the plan, suggesting there may not be enough demand for the proposed outdoor festival site or the indoor concert venue.

Mayor Don Iveson said he supports the idea of the redeveloping the arena, but has concerns about other portions of the plan.

“If everything hinges on Vision 2020, then we need a big reset,” Iveson said. “Because I don’t think there’s appetite in our public, or appetite in council to fund all of the concepts that are contained in Vision 2020.”

Northlands admitted Vision 2020 is a bold proposal, but insists it is not dead, and the organization hopes some elements will be approved.

“Vision 2020 was a plan that started the re-creation of Northlands, it wasn’t one that finished it,” Tim Reid, President and CEO of Northlands said.

Councillors have a week to go over the 200 page report, they’re scheduled to meet and discuss it on August 31.

With files from Bill Fortier