In Episode 4 of the New Urban Ethic, Erik Backstrom talks with FutureCite about the uniqueness of River Crossing’s amenities like the Rossdale PowerPlant buildings (repurposed), the existing Ball Park, and future amenities that will be created, such as an Interpretive Park, the River Promenade, new Residential Housing, and ways to integrate future mobility to cross the river and to access key these key waterfront work, live and play sites and activities. .
The new iconic Walterdale Bridge serves as a new gateway to the River Crossing district and to Edmonton’s downtown core.
Serving as the primary access to an increasingly urbanized and walkable downtown core to the City’s pristine River Valley, the bridge enables pedestrians and cyclists to take advantage of the waterfront.
Yes, autonomous vehicles, water taxis, gondolas and even flying cars – ideas from industry would be interesting to the City for future infrastructure considerations – and not just to cross the river!
Imagine a waterfront hub like Granville Island in Vancouver, or the Wharfside in San Francisco, and the Harbourfront in Toronto. River Crossing has a vision for creating new access and liveable, walkable developments along a pristine waterfront. Yes, give the City a shout on your ideas!
Stay tuned for the next Episode on Erik’s talk on the development opportunities for residential, commercial and amenities in River Crossing!
Waterfront real estate is a sought after commodity in any city – in particular one that is located along a pristine River Valley System that has not seen commercial or industrial development in decades in the City of Edmonton. Yes, it is about location! It’s a peninsula of land where the new Rossdale Bridge spans over the North Saskatchewan River – from the south river bank to the iconic architecture of the former Rossdale Power Plant. The River Crossing plan connects the vibrant downtown core to the north, with the Rossdale community to the east.
This is a City with the “youngest” demographic in Canada – creating a new “buzz” in Living and Lifestyle choices. Now the City is ready to take on the next stage of connecting its downtown core and residential Rossdale community with the highly anticipated waterfront development of the River Crossing initiative.
Its vision is to connect the waterfront residential communities and the vibrant growing downtown district with waterfront access to the North Saskatchewan River Valley System – one of the largest contiguous river valley park systems in North America! (See past Episode https://futurecite.com/its-in-our-nature-episode-5-connecting-communities-to-the-waterfront-next-steps/)
In previous Episodes we covered the ICE District in the City’s downtown core which kick started the $multi-billion development of new residential and commercial buildings – including Rogers Place Arena, the Stantec Tower, the JW Marriott, and several residential mixed use high-rise developments. (See https://futurecite.com/sneak-preview-2-1-on-districts-with-futurecite-ianomoments/)
Developing River Crossing’s river facing peninsula of land needs visionary insight to fully capture and realize the location and amenity opportunities presented by a pristine river waterfront and the power plant’s industrial architectural facilities designated for reuse! San Francisco captured its waterfront, Vancouver has the Seawall, and Toronto is developing its Harbourfront.
It’s an opportunity for visionary developers who understand the key Living and Lifestyle elements needed to interest both citizens and visitors, and to attract future innovation, technology and service businesses who are looking for easy access to lifestyle activities and a work /life balance culture for their NextGen demographic and technology hires. Imagine walking minutes away from home or work into nature’s River Valley – to swim or canoe, and discover 100 kilometers of natural and groomed park trails to cycle, run, or hike, or be able to walk to sports, dining and world class entertainment venues.
Stay tuned for Episode 4 for more details on the real estate opportunities for developers and operators to include in their pitch of ideas to the City!
About Erik Backstrom RPP, MCIP
Senior Planner, Planning Strategies at City of Edmonton
Erik and leads transformational planning projects, with focus to those involving under-utilized land (having a high degree of political involvement) requiring strategic investment from the City of Edmonton to provide a foundation for future private sector investment. He also has involvement in transit-oriented development projects and the next generation of planning for Old Strathcona. Erik currently manages the River Crossing initiative. He has a Master of Community and Regional Planning from the University of British Columbia, and a Bachelor of Arts/ Geography from the University of Alberta. He has lectured at the University of Alberta School of Urban and Regional Planning and served on the board of the Alberta Professional Planners Institute (APPI), and is now the APPI historian.
About River Crossing
River Crossing is at the heart of the urban core of the City of Edmonton – located between the City’s downtown core to the north, and the University of Alberta across the river to the south. A natural landing spot of the architecturally iconic Walterdale bridge, River Crossing connects North America’s largest contiguous River Valley Park System, to the Rossdale residential communities, Kinsmen sports facilities, a ball park, public parks, the Provincial Legislature grounds, and cultural and as well as museum facilities.
River Crossing land area covers approximately 17.6 hectares (ha), of which 80% is owned by the City of Edmonton. Much of the River Crossing area is currently undeveloped open space (only certain portions of the area are currently zoned for open space uses). The former Rossdale Power Plant and Pumphouses in the River Crossing locations along the river front are designated for future reuse. Lands along the North Saskatchewan River include well-used multi-use trail connections (and access to boat launches). Part of the EPCOR Rossdale site along the river front is to be subdivided and designed to become the Touch the Water Promenade.
