Edmonton's Blatchford development delayed, won't be ready until mid-to-late 2017
Much like the rest of the Blatchford development, the timeline to have the first residents and businesses in by the fall and winter was ambitious, said the redevelopment project's executive director Mark Hall.
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Blatchford won’t be a green “ghetto.”
Mayor Don Iveson says while there will be affordable housing in the area – including supportive housing – it would be unfair to put it all in one neighbourhood.
“That’s a ghetto approach, which doesn’t work,” Iveson said.
“But there’s also the opportunity to include affordable rental on Blatchford and overall to model what a mixed income community looks like that has people from all walks of life.”
When the Blatchford redevelopment is built, 20 per cent will be dedicated to affordable housing.
How much of that will be supportive social housing is still up for debate, said Coun. Bev Esslinger.
“Any of these homes — town homes, stacked homes, are already more affordable than single-family homes,” Esslinger said.
Iveson said the city won’t make as much money with that approach, but it’s about leading by example.
Meanwhile, the economic downturn comes at a good time, as the city has saved on remediation costs.
“Pricing is very, very good right now,” he said.
“We’re actually at a good part of the cycle right now to be doing some of the pre-work and with the hope … the economy will recover in a few years, the project will really scale up by then.”
As well, the city is aiming to have a NAIT student residence at Blatchford, as well as the possibility of seniors’ housing.
Much like the rest of the Blatchford development, the timeline to have the first residents and businesses moving in by the fall and winter was ambitious, said the redevelopment project’s executive director, Mark Hall.
“The earliest we could begin putting the infrastructure into Blatchford would be May 1, 2016,” Hall said.
“I think we’re probably looking at land sales to builders in 2017. Sales of built units to the first residence in Blatchford would probably be looking at mid-to-late 2017.”
Part of the delay is due to outstanding questions on the district energy system.
Council is expected to hear more details in a report March 15.
The report will show options for the type of energy (solar or thermal), and how the project will be funded.
Esslinger said council will take time, but won’t compromise on the original, environmentally sustainable vision.
“We can’t sacrifice the principles that we’re committed to under Blatchford,” Esslinger said. “We can’t water down what the environmental impact is. We are committed to that.”
The report on the district energy system will have two parts – the engineering design and the financial review and utility analysis.
Hall said the report will have details about the cost of the ambient energy system that will provide heating, cooling and water for the community.
“The final numbers right now are not public,” Hall said. “They’re being worked on right now with our utility rate economists.”
As the developer, the city must lay down the pipes and wires before it opens up land sales to builders.
Already, the city has taken out the old aviation buildings, runways and taxiways, which has come in under budget — just over $1.6 million of the budgeted $3.5 million as of December.
In the meantime, potential builders are getting ready for the green development.
Habitat Studio, the first builder of net-zero homes in Edmonton, is getting its feet wet in multi-family homes and is aiming to get in to build ground-oriented townhouses.
“I really think this is a terrific opportunity for the city to put itself on the map in terms of sustainability,” director Peter Amerongen said.
With experience in green homes, Amerongen is hoping when the city opens up land sales, Habitat Studio will have a successful bid.
“We have to make sure that we’ve got a market for the building,” Amerongen said.
“The downturn in the economy is a potential hiccup on all of this as well.”
With files from Dave Lazzarino
catherine.griwkowsky@sunmedia.ca
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Blatchford by the numbers
20 – Years planned to fully build out Blatchford
20% — Amount of affordable housing, which could include NAIT student residences, seniors’ housing and supportive social housing
217 – The number of hectares of land (536 acres) that will be developed
30,000 – Number of people expected to live in Blatchford
100% — Amount of renewable energy that will be used when the district energy system comes on board
March 15 – When council will hear a report on options for the district energy system and how it will be financed
