Oilers owner seeking rezoning for Village at Ice District north of Rogers Place
Ice District's future in downtown Edmonton became clearer Friday as new details emerged about an urban village that could be built north of Rogers Place.
The real estate arm of the Katz Group – which owns the Edmonton Oilers – submitted designs of Village at Ice District for council approval and public input.
The plan includes 2,500 residential units in towers up to 25 storeys with businesses on the ground floors, bike-friendly streets, and a public park.
"This dynamic, yet relaxed urban village will be a safe, walkable, transit-oriented development consisting of residential, commercial and retail opportunities," said Laurie Scott with Katz Group Real Estate.
"(It will feature) public green spaces, restaurants, retailers, and high-rise and medium-rise buildings that transition in height to the existing community to the north."
The area – mostly gravel parking lots now – will need to be rezoned, and the Katz Group is negotiating to buy a church that currently sits there.
"It’s wild that there’s that much undeveloped land right in that area," said downtown councillor Anne Stevenson. She likes the plans.
A rendering of the Village at Ice District. (Source: City of Edmonton)
"It’s so well connected, you know it can support MacEwan (University), it can support people working downtown, it can support families."
The proposal has received a thumbs up from the city’s design committee, and residents can provide input until April 24.
"We want to make sure that our planning analysis is complete and we’re not missing anything," said Andrew McLellan, a planner with the City of Edmonton.
"Sometimes the local knowledge of people that live nearby, or have lived in areas for a very long time is very valuable."
The president of the local community league said most residents he’s spoken with like the design, at least more than they like gravel parking lots.
"What we’re trying to do is create an urban village down there, which has everything. Jobs, culture, schools, everything is around it. The only thing that’s missing are people," said Warren Champion.
Rezoning is the first hurdle in a lengthy process to make the designs a reality. If city council approves that, the urban village will be built in phases over the course of about 15 years.
With files from CTV News Edmonton's Jeremy Thompson
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Prime minister faces mounting pressure to step aside from inside caucus
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau will face mounting pressure from his caucus this week to step down from the leadership of the Liberal party.
Bloc won't hold Liberals 'hostage' over seniors' benefits: cabinet minister
Liberal cabinet minister Steven Guilbeault says the Liberals will not be 'held hostage' by the Bloc Quebecois' demand to expand Old Age Security to more seniors.
Police identify Toronto victim of alleged serial killer
Toronto police have identified the woman who was allegedly killed by a suspected serial killer earlier this month.
Missing father, kids spotted in New Zealand wilderness 3 years after disappearance: police
A New Zealand man who disappeared with his three children in 2021 was spotted on a farm along the country's northwest coast, police say.
No jail time for man who fatally stabbed senior in Vancouver
A man who stabbed a senior to death in Vancouver's Biltmore Hotel building in 2020 has been given a conditional sentence for the killing, meaning he will not serve any jail time if he remains on good behaviour in the community.
B.C. billionaire posts third large sign criticizing NDP ahead of the election
British Columbia billionaire Chip Wilson has put up yet another billboard message to voters, his third post outside his multimillion-dollar mansion in NDP Leader David Eby's own riding.
Great white shark washes up on B.C. shore
In a rare occurrence, a bona fide great white shark washed up on a B.C. beach Thursday.
EXCLUSIVE: 'We were privileged to be friends with our sister': Family mourns murdered N.S. woman
More than a month after the murder of Nova Scotia woman Esther Jones, her family continues to grapple with the loss.
Job growth numbers 'good news' in Canada but there are concerns, according to an economist
An economist says the latest job growth numbers in Canada are 'good news,' but he has concerns following Statistic Canada's report.