Rossdale ReGeneration

The draft Heritage Interpretive Plan for the River Crossing (West Rossdale) area is just about complete, and the City of Edmonton wants to hear from you! After a year of reviewing previous research, work and discussions around heritage in the River Crossing area as well as collecting information through the various engagement activities over the past year, the draft plan is ready for public review and feedback.

This will be the last opportunity to provide feedback on this document before it is finalized and goes to City Council this summer.

You can learn about the plan and provide feedback in two ways:

• ONLINE: the draft plan and feedback form will be available at http://www.edmonton.ca/HeritageInterpretivePlan until April 5th, 2017.

• IN PERSON: come learn about the process and content of the plan and chat with the project leads at a drop-in open house on Monday, April 3rd at 5:00pm at the Edmonton Tower (10111 104 Avenue). More information HERE

Tomorrow!  On June 30 (Tuesday) an administration report regarding plans for moving forward on the development of the River Crossing/Rossdale/West Rossdale area, including the EPCOR Generation Plant is on council’s agenda.  You can link to the Executive Committee agenda (item 6.11) and related reports here.

The key item of concern is the terms of reference for the Advisory Committee for this initiative– the selection of members, their roles and responsibilities.  This is important in terms of having strong community and heritage representation in this work.

The Executive Committee meeting begins at 9:30am in City Hall but it is not clear as to when this item will be presented:  morning, afternoon or it may be deferred to July 8th. In any case, the meeting is open to the public, anyone may attend and Rossdale Regeneration will have representatives speaking.

In an initial review of the report, the following concerns arise:

• The members are to be selected from the private sector and Administration. There is no mention of the non-profit or voluntary sector or citizens at large. (We’re only stakeholders who provide input to the Advisory Committee, as are other affected entities like Epcor and Telus Field, per the business plan document)
• The City will be looking for members with background and knowledge (expertise) in the following areas: Land/Urban Planning, Land Development, Financial Planning, Destination Planning, and Urban Design and Environment. There is no recognition of local knowledge or historical expertise in selection of members.
• Criteria for selection of members includes capacity to deliver a business plan. This is an uncompensated advisory committee–the Administration should have responsibility for delivering the business plan and should have the requisite skills to do so.

We’ll provide a further update after the discussion at City Council.

Mayor Iveson
All Members of City Council
April 8, 2015

Following is a letter from the Rossdale ReGeneration Group with recommendations to inform the upcoming Council discussion on April 14th on the River Crossing (Rossdale).

Rossdale ReGeneration Group is comprised of Edmontonians with a shared respect for history and a shared belief in possibility. We are architects, urban planners, historians, artists, politicians and members of both the broader community and the River Crossing district. Not only are the buildings a fundamentally important part of Edmonton’s—and Canada’s—past and an iconic, aesthetically pleasing part of our city’s skyline, they also carry immense opportunity. Giving the Rossdale power plant new life will make it an important part of a historic neighbourhood that can connect Edmontonians to a unique and essential part of our story—including aboriginal and Hudson’s Bay trader history, industry and city-building.

Historically and architecturally, the Rossdale power plant is unique. Designed by Maxwell Dewar, an award-winning architect and a president of the Alberta Architects Association, the power plant reflects the elegant style of early-twentieth-century American industrial design, as well as the art deco style popular in that period. Reminiscent of a steamship, the power plant is a sophisticated structure and iconic element in our city’s skyline and river valley.

City Council and administration’s decision to commit resources for the stability and security of the Rossdale Power Plant was much applauded and appreciated by our group.

Currently a community initiated plan with EPCOR and the City is underway to light the outside of the building (west and south walls) in the near future.

The Rossdale ReGeneration Group has consistently promoted revitalization of the generating plant. What, specifically, might a revitalized Rossdale power plant look like? Many ideas have been suggested by and to our group. We envision some combination of the following kinds of repurposing:

• Aboriginal cultural centre and history museum with an aboriginal crafts market (perhaps as part of the Spirit of Edmonton indigenous cultures and natural history trail)
• An aboriginal gathering place—round dances, pow-wows, and ceremonies.
• Non-profit river learning centre, connecting people with the North Saskatchewan River by educating them on the river’s natural ecosystem and cultural and historical significance
• Cooperative craft brewery, drawing water directly from the river to underscore the importance of clean water
• Local fine-food shops, cafes and restaurants plus a weekly farmers market (similar to the Ferry Building Marketplace in San Francisco). This repurposing could include an information centre on Edmonton farms and food security; the river valley trails could also be extended out to the northeast farmland area, linking farm and city
• Arts and music performance area and rehearsal spaces
• Educational energy playground, explaining the development of twentieth-century power (achieving LEED designation, including solar panels on the roof, could also speak to the future of energy)
• University of Alberta biological sciences labs and interactive public museum detailing the river’s ecology
• Local-food restaurant on the top floor of the boiler house or turbine house, taking advantage of the 365-degree view
• Satellite of the Royal Alberta Museum, highlighting the history of the site and of the city
• Cafe in one of the pump houses, serving visitors to the site and people walking, cycling, and rollerblading along the river valley trails
• Native-species natural area in the cleared area to the west of the buildings, representing healing of the land and of the past; this would be a peaceful space for learning, relaxing and reflecting
• Residential space

On April 14^th, City Council will be studying administration’s report on the River Crossing (Rossdale). Our group is convinced that the reimagining of the power plant requires a process that draws on and aligns with the visioning and plans of the entire River Crossing District.

We make the following recommendations:

• A Transformative Project. Much like Blatchford Field and the Quarters, the River Crossing District will need a unique and different transformative process that recognizes the history on both sides of the river of its First Peoples, early traders and settlers, railroads, industry and vehicles. The River Crossing is the most significant entrance to Edmonton’s downtown, government centre and business district.
• Resources/Support/Time for the River Crossing Project. A comprehensive and unique, coordinated transformative plan needs careful consideration, time, and financial support to bring it to fruition.
• Community Advice and Oversight. As a city-making initiative that is transparent and inclusive, the River Crossing project will benefit from support and advice from the Rossdale ReGeneration Group and others (Rossdale Community League, First Nations, Heritage Council, sports and athletics). We are interested in working with city administration in transforming the River Crossing District, an opportunity that will become a special Edmonton place.

Sincerely,

Michael Phair
For Rossdale ReGeneration Group

Download the PDF Letter

Rossdale ReGeneration will be meeting tonight at 5:00 pm at the Rossdale Community League Hall (10135 – 96 Avenue) to provide some updates in advance of an April 14th City Council meeting focused on the River Crossing and West Rossdale Development.

Rossdale ReGeneration Updates

• City Council has scheduled a special meeting for all of Council on April 14^th from 1:30-4:30pm to discuss the RIVER CROSSING (Rossdale/West Rossdale Development and Redevelopment).
• The Administration report will include numerous items including the Rossdale Generating Plant.
• There will be a number of recommendations in the report seeking direction for Council’s consideration so as to move the plan forward.
• The meeting will be open to the public but is unlikely that there will be public speakers or public presentations.
• It will be very important that our group prepares and submits written information and recommendations before the April 14th meeting.

March 31st Meeting Agenda

1. Welcome and introductions
2. Updates
3. Identify key points/recommendations supported by Rossdale ReGeneration Group
4. Agree to a written submission from the Rossdale ReGeneration Group
5. Lobby/advocate
6. Other

If you are interested in Rossdale/West Rossdale development, we encourage you to attend the meeting!