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Red Deer City Council
Riverlands development
ready for debate
reprinted from Red Deer
Advocate (Laura Tester) September 3, 2011
A plan of how best to
develop Riverlands into a vibrant mixed-use neighbourhood over the
next 20 years is going forward to Red Deer city council on Monday.
Elected leaders will be asked to give first reading of the 2011
Riverlands Area Redevelopment Plan. The plan area is defined by the
Red Deer River on the west, Taylor Drive on the north and east and
the West Park neighbourhood on the south.
The area redevelopment plan was crafted after the Greater Downtown
Action Plan was finished in 2008 following extensive public input.
Currently, Riverlands is a low-density commercial-industrial area.
The intent is to make the area into a thriving public area that's
pedestrian friendly.
Visitors would be able to be wined and dined, see various
entertainment and have the chance to stay at a prominent hotel
convention centre.
Plus, there would be a prominent riverwalk. The Red Deer River forms
the border for over a third of the greater downtown, and much of
that is in Riverlands.
Development would take bold steps to enhance and connect to the
river's edge, culminating in a central civic plaza projecting over
the bank with a bridge across the river to Bower Ponds.
"Riverlands will become the first truly 'smart growth' mixed-use,
high density, urban neighbourhood in the city," says the document.
The objective is to have 2,500 people live in Riverlands by 2031.
The majority of the area will be zoned to allow medium density
housing, with a height limit of 4.5 storeys.
This plan adds new ideas for major civic gathering space, as well as
arts and cultural venues. Plus, it looks at improved pedestrian and
vehicle connections between Riverlands and the rest of the downtown.
Some of the possible attractions include public art in prominent
locations and throughout Riverlands.
The city also envisions a year-round market within the former civic
bus barns. The landmark hotel/convention centre at the north end of
the plan area would include other businesses, including restaurants,
bars and shops.
The area redevelopment plan also encourages the development of
publicly accessible open spaces on private commercial or residential
lands.
News articles related to historic downtown Red Deer redevelopment
(the original vision of the Forth Junction Heritage Society included
an attraction in the new downtown
Riverlands but this vision was modified to have one destination
close to the city and active rail line):
Commentary: The Greater Downtown Action Plan progress and potential
(Red Deer Express May 2013)
News article: Railyards: Open house on a
20-year plan for downtown (Red Deer Advocate June 2011)
News article: Riverlands: Strong turnout for
open house (Red Deer Advocate
March 2011)
Commentary: Red Deer could use more bold
visionary landmark designers
(Red Deer Express Sep.2010)
News article: Paths to change
(Rotary Recreation Park)
(Red Deer Advocate Aug.2010)
Editorial: Time for downtown vision
(Red Deer Advocate July 2010)
News article: Big expectations for downtown Red Deer
(Red Deer Advocate June 2009)
News
article: Chance of a lifetime
(Red Deer Advocate Jan.2009)
Editorial: No San Antonio but
hope left for Big Wow
(Red Deer Express Nov.2008)
News
article: Canal plan jettisoned
(Red Deer Express Nov.2008)
News
article: Red Deer - Alberta's next great city
(Red Deer Express July 2008)
Downtown Red Deer Ground Transportation Themes
Michael Dawe articles related to railway heritage
of downtown Red Deer:
Looking back to when Red Deer landed city
status
(Red Deer Express March 2013)
Prosperous times for New Year's, 1912 in
Red Deer
(Red Deer Express Dec.2011)
An early
community landmark - the Michener Fountain
(Red Deer Express June 2011)
Lots of
street name debate in City's history
(Red Deer Express Sep.2010)
Region celebrating century of railroad
heritage
(Red Deer Express March 2010)
CPR
Station Park once shining jewel of Red Deer
(Red Deer Express June 2009)
Canadian Pacific Railway Bridge now 100 years old
(Red Deer Advocate June 2009)
Red Deer's downtown hotels have celebrated
history
(Red Deer Express June 2009)
The history of Red Deer's CPR station
(Red Deer Express April 2007)
Red Deer becomes a divisional point for CPR
(Red Deer Advocate Special March 2007)
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