Re: Council OKs Grandin towers – St. Albert Gazette, April 6, 2016.
I must say it’s very surprising I have not seen one article in the Gazette in response to the article published on April 6. However I think many, like me, have resolved that this was a done deal from the start and too much negative energy is gained by investing further energy into a wasted cause. That being said, I do want to put some stuff on the figurative table, wash my hands so speak. Since its inception this project has had a certain amount of cloak and dagger-like feel with so little transparency. On the cover, beautiful rejuvenation of a space that much needs it, I won’t argue that. But 20 and 25 storeys, that I take issue with, more over my experience living much closer than a supposed 350 meters away. Speaking of which, to be clear, in the Gazette article from April 6, you mean to tell me the only member of the public to provide a sound bite, is someone who owns a consulting firm which specializes in land development and planning? Not a very balanced article.
But that’s not where this started, think back, way back, August 2014 demolition time. Amacon was asked by the city to monitor noise and vibration during this period due to public concern who remember issues caused by the mall’s original construction. They obliged. As the mall was being demolished several noise complaints were called in due to work hours, however, these don’t seem to go anywhere or result in much follow-up. Then a report is sent to the city on their findings, a report received by Amacon and accepted for its contents. This report was not made public for some reason (STC Acoustical Consulting Ltd). Perhaps because within Amacon’s issued report there are documented excedences to the City of St. Albert’s noise bylaw as well as allowable work hours. The levels of vibration were also significant and above those of other jurisdictions’ allowable limit. This report was reviewed by two individuals who knew nothing about this sort of thing, but knew something wasn’t right.
So we asked for the raw data report from the monitoring and enlisted the help of an expert. I think it took all of a day for his response indicating that levels reported were actually ceilings set on the instrument, so the actual limits are higher but cannot be determined, also during the monitoring the instruments fell out of compliance do to annual calibration requirements. But again, no problem, they were good enough to monitor themselves. The city indicated that even though they have actual proof of non-compliance to their own bylaws they cannot base an investigation on historic data. So let’s get them some, this previous summer (2015) I watched a gentlemen start up a concrete float at 5:40 a.m., in poor light with nobody else on site, I took a picture and called by-law/RCMP. They said they arrived at the site but did not see anyone there, so I sent them my picture and gave a statement. Nothing more happened. A friend does even better, records video of people working during non-work hours and a non-secure site at other times, what happens, nothing.
I think fellow Grandin residents, we’re in for a long time, well apparently 10 to 20 years, based upon what was published in the Gazette as full build-out. That’s awesome, they can build a half-billion-dollar world-class facility to play hockey in two years, but this is going to take over 10 years, maybe 20? And you expect us to put up with that perpetual state construction for that long. Somehow I think this only benefits the developer and puts a whole lot of risk on the city and suspect full tax benefits won’t occur until full build-out is completed. That’s normal I guess for this province. But remember at the first public meeting, Urban Strategies said it estimated at that time anyway, that it would be a diverse residence, with bachelor suites, ideal for post-secondary students (really?) start likely in the mid-$300s?! Since then no other tidbit about pricing seems to be discussed. But I’m sure with the convenience and nightlife of St. Albert, the college and tech students will be lined up to buy these. The reporter referenced city council making a statement it’s tough to imagine what 20 or 25 storeys will look like. You didn’t get any models of the site build-out that could be plugged into Google Earth and then go stand on the Henday overpass to see three out-of-place towers sticking up in the middle of nowhere? Or better yet, why not put to use the city’s own VR glasses and take a tour.
B. Koro, St. Albert
