A proposal for St. Albert's downtown calls for pedestrian-friendly sidewalks, more retail shops and higher densities, including a 25-storey condominium tower next to the Sturgeon River.
Officials from the Toronto-based Urban Strategies, Inc. went over the downtown vision during a two-hour open house Thursday night at King of Kings Lutheran Church. Plans envision a more welcoming environment with realigned trails, wider sidewalks and narrower roads to slow traffic and entice visitors to spend more time in the area.
"Clearly people want to see something happen in the downtown," said Mark Reid, a consultant with the city-contracted firm. He added roughly 75 per cent of attendees were happy with the idea in a show of hands at the end of the session. "They want something more urban."
The proposal also calls for attractive multi-level parking structures that would have retail and restaurant space on the ground level in a variety of architectural styles. Consultants also said the designs and materials used on new buildings should focus on high quality brick, wood and glass.
Minimum height
Adding a minimum height restriction was another idea pitched. The consultants suggested buildings be at three storeys, with an average of five to 10 recommended for other parts of the downtown, and up to 20 storeys for others.
The tallest recommendation was for a 25-storey condo tower in the north end of the downtown near the Perron Street bridge. The consultant group suggested two slim towers made of glass least 25 metres apart to allow for minimal disruption along the river.
"There are a lot of ways to ensure it doesn't take away from the river," said Warren Price. "[The concept] allows the city to get a good design from developers."
Resident Wendy Vanderwel, also a member of the city's environmental advisory committee, said the idea of multi-storey towers next to the Sturgeon gives her pause for concern.
"It would overpower the river," she said. "I'm just concerned with development encroaching on the river to the point where it infringes on the river's health."
Chantal Ross, who lives in Grandin and works just outside the downtown, said the tower would help densify the area for a more sustainable city. She added that the various buildings heights would help bring interest to the downtown.
"The only way to create [visual] interest is to layer," she said. "I believe that, with the boundaries they were given, it looks like they've considered all the things that are needed for this."
Coun. Len Bracko said he was impressed with the proposal, adding such an increase to density would only help bring LRT to St. Albert. The consultant's plan shows an LRT line along St. Albert Trail with a stop near downtown.
Bracko added the higher density would help the city meet targets set by the Capital Region Board, a necessity moving forward.
"People have always been arguing over no more than two storeys [downtown]," he said. "We need the density down there … if it's done right, it will be beautiful."
The proposal will go to council on June 21, however it won't be debated until after a July 5 public hearing.
