alternative river valley infrastructure Re-evaluation of projects for joint funding. River In its March 2010 Access and Connectivity Report, the River Valley Valley Projects Alliance identified a number of Component 1 capital projects and their phasing. Component 1 includes those Recommendation: projects that are deemed to have the That Executive Committee recommend highest short term priority based on their to City Council: contribution to “connectivity” throughout the length of the river valley shared by That the October 5, 2011, the partner municipalities to the Alliance. Sustainable Development report Land acquisition is also possible to 2011SPE037 be received for support Component 1 capital project information. development. No Component 2 (nodal

development) or Component 3 Report Summary (attraction or facility projects) have been prioritized by the River Valley Alliance This report identifies options for for development at this time. Executive Committee and Council to consider in finalizing the City’s list of The July 6, 2011, Sustainable priority river valley infrastructure Development report 2011SPE028 (Final projects. List of River Valley Projects) recommended a final list of projects Previous Council/Committee Action based on the River Valley Alliance’s At the July 6, 2011, City Council Component 1 projects (see Attachment meeting, the following motion was 1). At the meeting, Executive passed: Committee discussed whether the That Administration provide a report recommended final list represented the to City Council through Executive City’s priorities for joint funding. Committee, to allow Council to re- Specifically, Executive Committee evaluate priority lists for the City of questioned the need for the Hermitage Edmonton River Valley projects Marina and E.L. Smith Footbridge including Administration projects versus potential projects that recommendations. could support the City’s efforts to create a river valley destination in the vicinity of Report the planned new Walterdale Bridge and This report is being advanced a repurposed former EPCOR power concurrent with report 2011SPE034 plant and revitalized West Rossdale (September 20, 2011, Transportation area. and Infrastructure Committee agenda – The cost of the Hermitage Marina and item 4.1 - Effective Use of River Valley E.L. Smith Footbridge are projected at Projects), which comments on the $2.65 and $24.5 million, respectively. extent to which the Provincial and Some trail connections to the bridge Federal Government would consider would also not be required at $2.3 million. Deleting these projects

ROUTING – Executive Committee, City Council | DELEGATION – P. Ohm/B. Priebe WRITTEN BY – B. Priebe/P.Ohm | October 5, 2011 – Sustainable Development 2011SPE037 Page 1 of 4

Re-evaluation of Edmonton River Valley Projects from the City’s list of priority projects Valley Alliance, but instead identified by would create opportunity to allocate Administration to enhance connectivity $29.45 million to higher priority projects. between the new Walterdale Bridge, the Attachment 2 offers an alternative list of repurposed EPCOR power plant, and river valley projects compiled on the West Rossdale, and to improve basis that all projects are Component 1. destinations near the new bridge. The Hermitage Marina, E.L. Smith The first project is a promenade that Footbridge and trails have been spans into the river with landings at replaced with two City Centre projects approximately 104 Street and 106 Street being: and access to the two pump houses associated with the EPCOR site at • the River Walk, Stepped Access and approximately $30 million. This is Viewpoint Extensions Administration’s preferred alternate • Water Access Improvements project based on: Together, these alternate projects would • creating an attraction and linear extend the promenade experience at gathering place Louise McKinney from the Low Level Bridge to the new Walterdale Bridge and • enhancing connectivity and access create better opportunities for direct along the north bank water access. • providing additional focus in the area While these two projects may support of the new bridge and power plant the Central River Valley vision as • having opportunity for the articulated in the June 29, 2011, promenade to be constructed with Sustainable Development report the new bridge and thereby creating 2011SPE002, (Central River Valley a number of efficiencies Vision – The River Crossing) they would The second project is a funicular be spread along the river edge between connecting to the the Low Level and Walterdale Bridges, EPCOR power plant site via 104 Street and may not bring the concentrated at approximately $25 million. This catalytic effect desired to ensure the project supports the Capital City success of the re-purposed EPCOR Downtown Plan objective to connect power plant and the redevelopment of Downtown to the Rossdale West Rossdale as an urban village and Neighbourhood and could, depending gateway to Downtown. on its design, address parking Administration still supports the requirements for both Telus Field and Terwillegar/Centennial footbridge, the re-purposed EPCOR power plant. A connecting trails from the Anthony challenge for this project is having the Henday through to the new Fort funicular traverse the newly planned Edmonton footbridge, as well as a West Rossdale residential area. series of river access improvements or The third project would retain a single refurbishments at Rafters Landing, span of the current Walterdale Bridge to Government Hill House Park, Kinsmen function as an observation deck at and Rundle Park. approximately $5 million. The Attachment 3 contains four alternate “observation” and “gathering place” projects not identified by the River

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Re-evaluation of Edmonton River Valley Projects function of this project is considerably Policy less than that of the promenade project. The content of this report relates to the The fourth project would contribute to following policy documents: either the first stage of a plaza in place • The Way We Grow , Edmonton’s of the former high pressure plant Municipal Development Plan (approximately $47 million), or the • The Way We Live , Edmonton’s repurposing of the existing heritage People Plan designated structures (approximately • Bylaw 7188 – North Saskatchewan $81 million). River Valley Area Redevelopment Attachment 4 depicts the four alternate Plan infrastructure projects listed in • Urban Parks Management Plan Attachment 3. • Bylaw 2202 – Parkland Bylaw Compared to the alternate City Centre • Natural Connections Strategic Plan projects identified in Attachment 2, these projects, particularly the Corporate Outcomes promenade, could have a more catalytic The content of this report relates to The impact toward the success and Way Ahead , corporate outcomes: integration of the new Walterdale • Transform Edmonton’s Urban Form Bridge, the repurposed EPCOR power • Improve Edmonton’s Livability plant, and the redevelopment of West • Preserve and Sustain Edmonton’s Rossdale. Environment At the time of writing this report, Administration had only completed a Budget/Financial Implications high-level feasibility and cost analysis of At the July 6, 2011, meeting of City the promenade, funicular and Council, a funding strategy and observation deck. Further, as noted in commitment of $20.3 million to River the Sustainable Development report Valley Projects was approved. This 2011SPE034 (September 20, 2011, funding source commits the City of Transportation and Infrastructure Edmonton to its one third municipal Committee agenda – item 4.1 - Effective share of the Federal funding application Use of River Valley Projects), by the River Valley Alliance for projects Administration had not obtained the proposed and approved within position of the River Valley Alliance Edmonton’s boundaries. Board on the alternative projects identified in Attachments 2 and 3. Attachments Administration will provide additional 1. Proposed River Valley Alliance information on the feasibility of these Project List – July 6, 2011 projects and the position of the River 2. Alternative River Valley Alliance Valley Alliance Board toward the above Project List – September 21, 2011 described alternate infrastructure 3. Alternate Administration Project List projects at the time this report is & Illustrations considered at Executive Committee. Others Reviewing this Report • L. Cochrane, General Manager, Community Services

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Re-evaluation of Edmonton River Valley Projects

• R. Boutilier, General Manager, Transportation Services • L. Rosen, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer

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Attachment 1

Proposed River Valley Alliance Project List – July 6, 2011 (Component 1 Projects)

Project Project Description 2010 Name/Area Cost Status ($M) Valley Attractions Centennial/ Construct a footbridge between 24.0 Add. Identified in the RVA Terwillegar Centennial Lands and Terwillegar Park. Plan of Action, but not listed Footbridge (1.1.9) as a priority for action in the near term. However, it should qualify as connective infrastructure. EL Smith Construct a footbridge between the EL 24.5 Footbridge (1.1.8) Smith power plant and Terwillegar park New primary and Trails connecting the Anthony Henday 5.8 Identified in RVA Plan of Secondary Trails Bridge through the new Centennial/ Action, support by RVA and (1.1.2 and 1.1.3) Terwillegar Footbridge and to the new Administration in the federal Fort Edmonton Footbridge. These trails grant application. would be a combination of asphalt trails (primary - $2M) and granular trails (secondary – $1.5M). These trails would occur on both sides of the river. These trails would include trails within Terwillegar Park as well. Water Access Boat launches and docking facilities 1.23 Identified in RVA Plan of Improvements would be built at Terwillegar Park (dock Action, support by RVA and (1.2.1, 1.2.2, and and launch), Laurier Park (dock), Buena Administration in the federal 1.2.3 and 1.2.4) Vista Park (dock), and Hawrelak Park grant application. (dock and hand launch). Sub-total – Valley 55.53 Attractions

City Centre Water Access New boat docks are proposed at 1.54 Add. Identified in RVA Plan of Improvements Government Hill House Park and Action, support by RVA and (1.2.1, 1.2.3 and Kinsmen Park, as well as a Administration 1.2.4) refurbishment of the boat launch at Rafters Landing. Sub-Total City 1.54 Centre

Valley Parks Secondary Secondary adventure trail (gravel) 1.2 Adventure Trail linking Tiger Goldstick Park to Corporal 1.1.3 Ainsworth Dyer Bridge Water Access Hermitage Park Boat Launch and 2.56 Improvements Marina (1.2.1) Subtotal Area 5 3.77 Grand Total 60.84

Page 1 of 1 Report: 2011SPE037 Attachment 1

Attachment 2

Alternative River Valley Alliance Project List – September 21, 2011 Project Project Description 2010 Name/Area Cost Status ($M) Valley Attractions Centennial/ Construct a footbridge between 24.0 Add. Identified in the RVA Terwillegar Centennial Lands and Terwillegar Park. Plan of Action, but not listed Footbridge (1.1.9) as a priority for action in the near term. However, it should qualify as connective infrastructure. New primary and Trails connecting the Anthony Henday 3.5 Identified in RVA Plan of Secondary Trails Bridge through the new Centennial/ Action, support by RVA and (1.1.2 and 1.1.3) Terwillegar Footbridge and to the new Administration in the federal Fort Edmonton Footbridge. These trails grant application. would be a combination of asphalt trails (primary - $2M) and granular trails (secondary – $1.5M). These trails would occur on both sides of the river. These trails would include trails within Terwillegar Park as well. Water Access Boat launches and docking facilities 1.23 Identified in RVA Plan of Improvements would be built at Terwillegar Park (dock Action, support by RVA and (1.2.1, 1.2.2, and and launch), Laurier Park (dock), Buena Administration in the federal 1.2.3) Vista Park (dock), and Hawrelak Park grant application. (dock and hand launch). Sub-total – Valley 28.73 Attractions

City Centre River Walk, Extend the river valley promenade 30.9 Add. Identified in the RVA Stepped River experience from Louise McKinney Park Plan of Action, but not listed Access and west through Rossdale to the EPCOR as a priority for action in the Viewpoint plant at the Walterdale Bridge. This near term. However, it would Extension (1.1.1.1, would include a river walk at the waters qualify as connective 1.1.1.2, 1.1.1.3). edge ($18.7M), stepped river access infrastructure. ($6.3M), and a viewpoint extension (Note: This project could be ($5.9M). Currently there are trails replaced by a project identified (gravel and paved) along the entire in Attachment 3) portion but there is limited visual or physical access to the water. Water Access New boat docks are proposed at 0.61M Add. Identified in RVA Plan of Improvements Government Hill House Park and Action, support by RVA and (1.2.3 and 1.2.4) Kinsmen Park, as well as a Administration refurbishment of the boat launch at Rafters Landing. Sub-Total City 31.5 Centre

Valley Parks Secondary trail This granular trail project will connect 0.5M (1.1.3) Corporal Ainsworth Dyer Bridge to Tiger Goldstick Park on the east side of

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Attachment 2

Project Project Description 2010 Name/Area Cost Status ($M) Edmonton. The Bridge connects Rundle Park to Gold Bar/Capilano Park. This would further provide a connection to Tiger Goldstick Park to the south. Water Access A new Boat dock is proposed at Rundle 0.17 Improvements Park. (1.2.3) Sub-Total Valley 0.671 Parks

Sub-Total RVA 60.9 Identified Projects

Notes: 1. There are other park related projects where no level of detailed planning has occurred and are not included. Examples would be the canal proposal in Rossdale, redevelopment of the area and Queen Elizabeth Park given the Walterdale Bridge replacement. 2. Major non park development are not included in these lists, including the Walterdale Bridge replacement itself and upgrades required to reactivate Rossdale Fire Station #21.

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Attachment 3

Alternate Administration Project List & Illustrations Project Project Description 2011 Name/Area Cost Status ($M)

North Bank River Promenade spanning into river with 30.0 Identified by Administration Promenade landings at 104 Street (middle of (to be and not recognized as EPCOR site) and 106 Street and with confirmed) Component 1, 2, or 3 project. connections to the two pump houses However, consistent with along the waters edge. broader development objectives within the Rossdale area.

104 Street Funicular connecting Jasper Avenue 25.0 (to Identified by Administration. Funicular to EPCOR power plant site via 104 be In concept could replace Street and West Rossdale. confirmed) funicular planned at Government Hill Park and now redundant with planned for Downtown location.

Walterdale Bridge Single span of existing Walterdale 5.0 (to be Identified by Administration. Observation Deck Bridge converted to observation deck. confirmed)

EPCOR Power Contribution to potential plaza Variable Identified by Adminstration. Plant Re-purposing occupying site of former high pressure up to 30.0 plant, or upgrading of heritage buildings

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Attachment 3

West Rossdale – Plan View

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Attachment 3

Illustration - EPCOR Plant Re-purposing, Walterdale Bridge and North Bank River Promenade

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