Gifts of a River
beginnings just appear so like a drowsy eye
suddenly awake where a river wells up
uncoiling from the ice where snug beside the land
it lay dreaming at our feet in quiet sleep
Ted Blodgett
2 carlyle + associates | DIALOG Image credit: Tom Arban PREFACE
The terms of reference by the City of Edmonton’s Community Services of 27 September 2010, calls for the development of a programme statement to establish “a programme of activities and uses suitable buildings, plaza open space adjacent to the power plant and access and linkages to the adjacent open space network, with input and testing through the public involvement process. This work also includes the identification of implementation strategies to advance the planning of the site.”
This statement is developed in context with other initiatives that are part of “The North Bank”, including: • Edmonton • Alberta’s Capital City Integrated Planning and Design Initiative, • West Rossdale Urban Design Plan • Walterdale Bridge Replacement and Approach Road Evaluation • Alberta Legislature Centre Redevelopment Master Plan • 2010 Capital City Downtown ARP, and • Kinsmen Sports Centre Master Plan
“Here’s to the crazy ones, the misfits, the rebels, the troublemakers, the round pegs in the square holes... the ones who see things differently... You can quote them, disagree with them, glorify or vilify them, but the only thing you can’t do is ignore them because they change things... they push the human race forward, and while some may see them as the crazy ones, we see genius, because the ones who are crazy enough to think that they can change the world, are the ones who do.”
Steve Jobs, CEO, Apple Inc.
rossdale generating station • repurposing | preliminary programme statement 3 This programme statement proposes a series of Connect and integrate Downtown, the river, the Legislature recommendations reinforcing the goals and objectives of and adjacent neighbourhoods: Edmonton • Alberta’s Capital City Integrated Planning and Design Initiative: 104 Street is proposed as the primary pedestrian link connecting downtown to the river and the Generating Station site via the proposed Rossdale Park in West Rossdale and improvements Respect and emphasize the history and archeological proposed within the CCDP. significance of the area: Pedestrian links are proposed to the Kinsmen Sports Centre and Several buildings have historic designation and the significance of Legislature. the area is documented through works commissioned by EPCOR.
Implement public realm improvements to animate the area “Touch The Water”: through urban design and programming:
The north bank of the Generating Station site and beyond is A series of public realm improvements are proposed from recommended to be a multi-modal promenade, integrated with promenades, plazas, gardens integrated with the building. pedestrian facilities coordinated with the Walterdale Bridge Services are to be coordinated to enable programming. Replacement. There is the potential for docks and other water amenity, a restored indigenous riverbank, and reuse of the Pump Houses.
“Touch The Water” • Royal Alberta Museum • Rossdale • LouiseMcKinney Riverfront Park
4 carlyle + associates | DIALOG Improve mobility and sustainable transportation options: Preserve and enhance view corridors:
While enabling vehicle access, it is recommended that alternate The Power Station has long been part of the skyline view over the modes be emphasized through the creation of an inviting valley to the Downtown as seen from the south side. It is pedestrian and cycling realm and transit services to the site from recommended the prominence of the Power Station be enhanced the proposed neighbourhood and its surroundings. within the context of major landmarks.
Parking within the site is limited. An overall coordinated parking plan is recommended to address the needs of Rossdale Enhance parks and open spaces: Generating Station, Telus Field, Kinsmen Sports Centre and large It is recommended to develop a diversity of public spaces and events. amenity, riveredge promenade and recreational opportunities
throughout the site and integrated with the Bridge and West
Rossdale Urban design Plan. They are to complement the more Create sustainable and complete neighbourhoods: wild landscape of the south bank. The Power Station is to be sustainable though a variety of It is recommended to develop an innovative approach to open initiatives specifically including reliance on sustainable space that is sustainable and supportive of infrastructure transportation, and its programme creating an ‘Urban Magnet’ that requirements. enables • retail • production on site Work together in implementing various plans for West Rossdale, the Legislature Grounds, River’s Edge and • education Downtown: • events programming It is recommended the City take a proactive leadership role in the • urban design and character further design, development, and implementation of the Power courtesy Allan Boniface, Dialog, Vancouver Station in coordination with the Walterdale Bridge Replacement and West Rossdale Urban Design Plan. Further, it is recommended the City explore potential ventures in association Create and enhance gateways: with the Province. The Power Station and site are long part of the overall experience of entering Downtown . The site improvements are recommended to be developed in a manner integrating them with a new signature Walterdale Bridge through high quality architecture and a welcoming pedestrian realm of promenades along the bridge, the riverbank and up 105 Street.
Panorama of skyline from Saskatchewan Drive with Generating Station at night
rossdale generating station • repurposing | preliminary programme statement 5
6 carlyle + associates | DIALOG Image credit: T. Bourque TABLE OF CONTENTS
1.0 Introduction 9 1.1 The Vision and the Potential: A City Building Opportunity 10
2.0 Background 15 2.1 The Site 16 2.2 Decommissioning 20 2.3 Retained Buildings 22 2.4 Site Access 25 2.5 Riverbank and Flood Overlay 26 2.6 Associated Plans for Integration 27 2.7 Municipal Plans 33
3.0 Best Practices + Research 35 3.1 Selected Best Practice Precedents 36
4.0 Community Conversation 55
5.0 Programme Statement 57
6.0 Recommendations 77 6.1 Recommendations 79 6.2 Recommended Assessments 79
Appendices 81 A Community Conversation Invitations 83 B The North Bank 85
rossdale generating station • repurposing | preliminary programme statement 7
8 carlyle + associates | DIALOG Image credit: Tom Arban 1.0 INTRODUCTION
rossdale generating station • repurposing | preliminary programme statement 9
View to the Rossdale Generating Station, downtown and the Legislature from the south bank
Image Credit: Tom Arban
1.1 The Vision and the Potential: A City-Building Opportunity
The City of Edmonton, as landowner of the Rossdale site, has “The North Bank” initiative identifies the opportunity to synchronize expressed interest in exploring the potential of the generating and integrate the Generating Station, West Rossdale station portion of the EPCOR Rossdale site. neighbourhood and the potential new Walterdale Bridge together to create a vibrant landmark destination for Edmonton, its The historic designation and decommissioning of the generating downtown and Rossdale. The Generating Station on the banks of station (buildings and site) offers an extraordinary opportunity to the North Saskatchewan River is pivotal to the making of “The create a unique destination. By virtue of the grandeur of the North Bank”. buildings, their location in the valley overlooking the river, adjacency to downtown and the Legislature Grounds, and In association with the Legislature Grounds and the neighbouring significance of the long history of the area speaks to the essence North Saskatchewan River, these developments offer the potential of Edmonton. for transforming Edmonton into a truly special and unique place through the creation of remarkable city, park and cultural This is a significant city-building opportunity that has the potential experiences. to both nurture and transform the city’s community life.
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The North Bank: Four major initiatives and sites that by their proximity and significance are proposed to be integrated in planning, design, and implementation.
rossdale generating station • repurposing | preliminary programme statement 11
The focus of Edmonton's roots and history lies in the West Rossdale portion of the river valley from pre-contact First Nations (Amerindian) history, to the fur trade cross roads and industry, to Prime Minister Sir Wilfred Laurier and confederation for Alberta as a Province.
The potential here is absolutely extraordinary for the expression of the city’s psyche - proximity to the river, downtown, and Legislature Grounds, and the potential for a major cultural facility on the grounds.
The intent of the work is to develop and prepare a “programme statement” that defines and coordinates a municipal approach to the “reimagining” or “repurposing” of the Rossdale Generating Station and its site following decommissioning.
This project will identify and present a selected number of preferred design themes and site activity opportunities for “repurposing” Rossdale Generation Station and Plaza Space as a new landmark destination in Edmonton. A recommended design vision and programme statement for the project site buildings and Prime Minister Sir Wilfrid Laurier inaugurates Alberta into Canadian plaza space is recommended. Confederation at the exhibition site, September 1905. The location is thought to be the current reservoirs and Telus Field. Image Credit: City of Edmonton Archives EA-10-3116
A First Nations encampment on the Rossdale Flats. Image Credit: City of Edmonton Archives EA-160-165
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Illustrative plan of sites of historical significance
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14 carlyle + associates | DIALOG Image credit: T. Bourque 2.0 BACKGROUND
rossdale generating station • repurposing | preliminary programme statement 15
View west from Lavigne (Skunk Hollow) to Generating Station, with water 060 Trolley Substation, now inactive filtration facilities in foreground and Alberta Legislature in the
2.1 Site
The site available as former EPCOR use is approximately 2.23ha (5.5 acres), with the historic four buildings having a gross area of approximately 8,750 square metres (94,140 sq ft)
Negotiations between the City and EPCOR are underway about the exact extent of the site to be for public use under municipal jurisdiction, following decommissioning. EPCOR has offered that the lawn areas over the reservoirs be publicly accessible for casual passive recreation.
The 060 Substation, that was once used to power the trolley lines, is also available for alternate uses by the City.
A scale comparison: Rossdale Generating Site relative in size to Sir Winston Churchill Square, with the latter superimposed. Relative to other Edmonton public places: • Sir Winston Churchill Square: 1.05ha (2.6 acres) • Centennial Plaza, now under construction, at the Alberta Legislature: 16 carlyle + associates | DIALOG 2.56ha (6.33 acres)
Traditional Burial Grounds and Old Fort Edmonton Cemetery The site offers views to the south bank and its “wild” and wooded steep slopes. The south “wild” view compliments the north “urban” view.
Rossdale Generating Station Site
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The Generating Station seen from the east along the river valley Name Lintel (“Boiler Hall”) of Low Pressure plant. Note top of stairs is multi-use trail main floor of the interior.
View to Switch House along the east side of the Turbine Hall. Note main floor of the building interior is approximately 2 metres above the paving.
View east along multi-use trail and view to the Generating Station and Pump Houses on the right. Note proximity of Pump House door sill to multi-use path
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Pump House 1 with Pump House 2 in the background along the View from Pump House 2 to the Low Pressure Plant and Pump House 1 riverbank multi-use trail along the river
View from south bank multi-use trail to Generating Station
rossdale generating station • repurposing | preliminary programme statement 19 2.2 Decommissioning
As stated in the July 2010 Epcor Rossdale Operations Bulletin, “EPCOR has received approval of the Rossdale Decommissioning Plan from Alberta Environment. The Rossdale Generating Station stopped generating electricity at the end of 2008. In late summer EPCOR will move forward on the decommissioning project which involves removing the non-historical generating buildings and maintaining the heritage buildings. The future goal is to open a portion of the west side of the Rossdale site to the public as committed.”
“EPCOR will continue to operate the water treatment plant and the Rossdale and Bellamy substations at the Rossdale site.”
“Once the High Pressure Plant and several others have been removed, EPCOR will lay grass and open the new green space to the public.”
Epcor’s schedule is to complete this work in the Fall of 2012.
Preliminary negotiations between EPCOR and the City of Edmonton have resulted in an understanding that site limits for maintaining the integrity of EPCOR faciaitilies requires boundary definition as illustrated on the Future Site Plan (opposite). EPCOR and the public will therefore share access from Rossdale Road south to the plant site and river.
Basement of Low Pressure Plant Image Credt: T. Bourque
Mezzanine of Boiler Hall Main floor of Turbine Hall looking south Image Credt: T. Bourque Image Credt: T. Bourque 20 carlyle + associates | DIALOG
Current Site Plan Image Credit: Epcor Rossdale Operations Bulletin January 2010
Future Site Plan Image Credit: Epcor Rossdale Operations Bulletin January 2010 rossdale generating station • repurposing | preliminary programme statement 21 2.3 Retained Buildings
“The decommissioning project by EPCOR involves maintaining and preserving the historical buildings as designated by the Province of Alberta. The historical buildings that will remain on site include: • The Low Pressure Plant (includes the Low Pressure Boiler House and Low Pressure Turbine Hall) • The 14 KV Switch House, and • Pump House #1”
“These buildings were designated as historic resources by the Province in 2001.”
Basement of Turbine Hall Image Credit: T. Bourque “The buildings that are being deconstructed and removed include: • The High Pressure Plant (includes the High Pressure Boiler House and High Pressure Turbine Hall & Gas Turbine Building) • The Control Room • The Machine Shop & Stores building, and • The Garage.”
“Pump House #2, which is on Edmonton’s Inventory of Historic Resources, will also remain on site as an example of architecture from the modern period. The equipment inside the building will be removed.” (Source: Epcor Rossdale Operations Bulletin, July 2010)
A parallel technical assessment of the buildings and site has been commissioned by Capital Construction of the City of Edmonton.
Boiler Hall Image Credit: T. Bourque
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Aerial view of site Image Credit: T. Bourque
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Existing pedestrian and bicycle network
24 carlyle + associates | DIALOG 2.4 Site access • Pedestrian, Vehicle, and Alternative Modes
Vehicle access to the site is from Rossdale Road for access to both the Power Station site, Rossdale and Bellamy substations and Water Treatment Plant.
Pedestrian and multiuse trail facilities edge the site along Rossdale Road and follow the top-of-bank along the river between the Generating Station and the pump houses. The bank is steep and the river at its normal water level is not easily accessible on foot
The site is within easy access by a variety of modes, including alternate sustainable modes from other destinations including: • Telus Field • Kinsmen Sport Centre, including the soon to be completed Queen Elizabeth Pool • John Walter Museum • Alberta Legislature Grounds
Potential destinations include:
• Queen Elizabeth Park (This study and the Bridge identify the View east from River Valley Road and 105 Street with Telus Field and potential for redevelopment be investigated) Epcor Plant in background
Existing multi-use trail between the top of bank and Generating Station site
rossdale generating station • repurposing | preliminary programme statement 25 2.5 Riverbank and Flood Protection Overlay
The riverbank is protected with a “riparian” plant community that normally sustains a variety of river conditions.
Based on the Flood Protection Overlay mapping available from the City of Edmonton, and illustrated below, the 1:100 year flood reaches an elevation of 623.7m.
Flood Protection Overlay (Source: Edmonton Zoning Bylaw map - www.edmonton.ca/infraplan/zoningmaps/page17.pdf)
26 carlyle + associates | DIALOG 2.6 Associated Plans for Integration
This programme statement is developed in context with other initiatives that are part of “The North Bank”, including: • Edmonton • Alberta’s Capital City Integrated Planning and Design Initiative • West Rossdale Urban Design Plan, ARP Amendment and DC Zoning • Walterdale Bridge Replacement and Approach Road Evaluation, • Alberta Legislature Centre Redevelopment Master Plan (on hold)
Associated initiatives also include: • 2010 Capital City Downtown ARP • Kinsmen Sports Centre Master Plan (Pending) • Edmonton • Alberta’s Capital City Integrated Planning and Design Initiative - This is an agreement between the City of Edmonton and the Province of Alberta dated 16 April 2009. It establishes a framework of goals, objectives and protocols for a series of interrelated initiatives.
Planning and Development Initiatives
rossdale generating station • repurposing | preliminary programme statement 27 West Rossdale Urban Design Plan, ARP Amendment and DC Zoning
The West Rossdale Urban Design Plan proposes a pedestrian friendly residential neighbourhood with a potential for approximately 2800 residents, a diversity of public open spaces, a wide range of housing types and support uses integrated with its valley and downtown contexts.
The Urban Design Plan, ARP Amendment and DC Zoning are proposed for Public Hearing in Spring 2011.
View west on 97 Avenue from 101 Street Walterdale Bridge
The terms of reference for the Walterdale Bridge Replacement and Approach Road Evaluation indicate that the existing structure should be replaced with a functional signature bridge that will form an attractive entrance to downtown Edmonton. The replacement is to have an innovative urban design complementing the West Rossdale Urban Design Plan, and respecting the aboriginal burial grounds on the north bank of the river.
The bridge is scheduled for replacement by 2014.
View west on 96 Avenue from park between 104 Street and Rossdale Road
View north on Rossdale Road from 96 Avenue
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Illustrative site plan of West Rossdale Urban Design Plan
rossdale generating station • repurposing | preliminary programme statement 29 Alberta Legislature Centre Redevelopment Master Plan
The plan is pending completion and release to public.
Kinsmen Sports Centre Master Plan
A Kinsmen Sports Centre Master Plan has been initiated by Community Services and is to be completed in 2011.
A new outdoor Queen Elizabeth Pool is under construction. It is understood the existing outdoor pool building is to be demolished and the area vegetated.
There are no plans for the revitalization of Queen Elizabeth Park.
River Valley Alliance
Other overall plans are identified by River Valley Alliance including dock and trail facilities.
Capital Region River Valley Park Plan from the River Valley Alliance
30 carlyle + associates | DIALOG Capital City Downtown Plan
The CCDP identifies a number of catalyst projects, of which one is River Valley Promenades:
• “Improve pedestrian connections between the top-of-bank Heritage Trail system in the Downtown and the riverbank, including the River Valley Trail System.
• Review and update the Heritage Trail Promenade concept; develop and complete throughout the Downtown, including connections east, west and south of the Downtown.”
“Key Policy Reference: 11.15 River Valley Promenades Expand and enhance those pedestrian systems that celebrate the unique position of Downtown overlooking the valley:
• Develop contiguous promenade with integrated lookouts, belvederes and walks along the full length of the escarpment throughout the Downtown. Replace utilitarian stair connections into the valley at selected locations with stair and ramp systems that are elegant and graceful.
• Develop innovative access to the river valley flats and river edge at selected locations including the top-of-bank at 104 Street and Louise McKinney Riverfront Park. Investigate mechanized options to achieve universal access.
• Develop a continuous, identifiable, and single urban public amenity extending from the 104 Street Promenade to West Rossdale and the riverfront.
• Develop concepts for a central city riverfront promenade extending from Louise McKinney Riverfront Park to the Royal Alberta Museum”. River Valley Promenades Plan from the Capital City Downtown Plan
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32 carlyle + associates | DIALOG 2.6 Municipal Plans
Several municipal plans in particular guide and support the The Art of Living potential for repurposing the Power Station: The Way We Live, The Way We Green, The Art of Living. The Art of Living states: • “Edmontonians value arts and heritage
• Edmonton has an impressive collection of arts and heritage The Way We Live institutions and programs
“…where people have opportunities to thrive and realize their • Edmonton is home to numerous accomplished individuals potential in a safe, attractive city.” who work in arts or heritage The Generating Station and its surrounding site offer opportunities • The City has been an active and insightful supporter of the to satisfy a number of the six goals in the plan: artsover the past decadeand in particular over the past four • Edmonton is a vibrant, connected, engaged and welcoming years.” city. It identified that of its 17 recommendations, space is the most • Edmonton celebrates life! urgent. • Edmonton is a caring, inclusive and affordable community. • Edmonton is a safe city. Finally, the plan recommends taking action on the development of • Edmonton is an attractive city. a city museum and developing an overall museum strategy (including operating grants for museums). • Edmonton is a sustainable city.”
The Way We Green
“The City of Edmonton is working with Edmontonians to update its environmental strategic plan (The Way We Green) The White Paper discusses the sustainability and resilience challenges facing Edmonton and suggests a strategy for each of the following areas: • Energy & Climate Change • River Water Supply & Quality • Food Security • Air Quality • Biodiversity / Healthy Ecosystems • Waste Management • One Planet Living”
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3.0 BEST PRACTICES • PRECEDENTS
Cities across Canada and around the world have been and continue to reclaim former waterfront oriented industrial buildings and sites for public use, amenity and the making of major community destinations.
A number of precedents are presented as Best Practices of repurposed industrial facilities, most along waterways and within established urban contexts.
They each demonstrate qualities of having been developed as a destination that is an ‘urban magnet’.
The five critical dimensions of a magnet as noted by Allan Boniface of Dialog, Vancouver are: • retail • production on site • education • events programming • urban design and character
rossdale generating station • repurposing | preliminary programme statement 35 3.1 Selected Best Practice Precedents
The following projects are reviewed: • Harbourfront Centre – Toronto, Ontario • Granville Island – Vancouver, British Columbia • Quais du Vieux Port – Montreal, Quebec • The Forks – Winnipeg, Manitoba • Wychwood Barns – Toronto, Ontario • Evergreen Brickworks – Toronton, Ontario • East Village and RiverWalk – Calgary, Alberta • Tate Modern – London, England • Le Moulin – Quebec City, Quebec
36 carlyle + associates | DIALOG Harbourfront Centre • Toronto, Ontario Site Area: 4.0ha (10 acres) Building Size: Not known www.harbourfrontcentre.com Costs: Not known www.waterfronttoronto.ca Retail: • Summer marketplace for vendors Harbourfront Centre is located on Lake Ontario between the lake • Summer café with rotating host of local restaurant or caterer and the Gardiner Expressway bracketed by York and John Quays. • Year-round shop affiliated with craft studio, sells items in central Toronto. manufactured on site • Year-round and seasonal dining services are available in a wide selection Harbourfront Centre is a 4ha site of former industrial land on Toronto’s waterfront. It was established by the Federal Production on Site: Government in the 1970’s in conjunction with relocating the large • various art and craft studios, including metals, ceramics, ship harbour east of downtown. The project has served as a glass and textiles present on site catalyst for further development of Toronto’s waterfront, which is • Adjacent to an active sugar refinery/sugar production ongoing. museum
Education: The site is a hub of activity, hosting over 4000 events annually, • Presents educational and recreational programs focused on primarily of a cultural or artistic nature. It is home to various craft youth studios, performance, lecture, class and exhibition venues, and a • Hosts school visits and summer camps summer market place. These are held in a variety of spaces both • A wide range of courses in a variety of media and genres are indoor and outdoor. offered
The character of the original waterfront buildings has not been Events Programming: lost, as several industrial structures have been preserved. These • Site of 4000 events annually, with a focus on arts and culture include a former warehouse-turned-cultural centre, malting silos, • Lectures, exhibits, classes, readings, and performances and an active sugar refinery.
Urban Design and Character: Harbourfront Centre was owned and managed as a crown • The site’s industrial past is maintained through the corporation (the Harbourfront Corporation) until 1991, when it preservation of several industrial structures, including: became a non-profit cultural organization. It is governed by a 26 - Queens Quay Terminal person community based volunteer board of directors. One third - Canada Malting Silos of Harbourfront Centre’s annual operating budget is provided - Redpath Sugar Refinery through government grants and contributions, while the remainder
is generated through entrepreneurial activity on site.
Parallel with Harbourfront Centre, in 2001, the three levels of government established Waterfront Toronto (then known as the Toronto Waterfront Revitalization Corporation) to oversee all aspects of the planning and development of Toronto’s central waterfront, including the public realm area at Harbourfront.
“Waterfront Toronto is a corporation funded by three levels of government. These government bodies have provided seed capital for a 25-year mandate to transform 800 hectares (2,000 acres) of brownfield lands on Toronto’s waterfront into beautiful, accessible, sustainable mixed-use communities and dynamic public spaces. A strong, expert and engaged 12-member Board of Directors, appointed by the three levels of government, oversees the strategic direction.”
rossdale generating station • repurposing | preliminary programme statement 37 “There are however weaknesses in the Corporation’s governance Public Realm model which significantly impact Waterfront Toronto’s ability to deliver results. This is especially the case now that the Corporation “Throughout the waterfront, a number of new, iconic public parks has moved from planning to development implementation and the are being created. Each park is designed to offer unique visitor active engagement of the private sector. Most problematic is the experiences that enhance the quality of the communities that fact that the Corporation is funded on a single project by project surround them. basis. Further, the Corporation has no powers to borrow, mortgage or raise funds, enter joint ventures or create “The buildings adjacent to the waterfront’s public spaces are subsidiaries. The current governance and funding structure limits reserved for retail shops, restaurants, entertainment and cultural the Corporation’s ability to act nimbly, strategically and deliver its amenities, and commercial operations to ensure that the entire mandate on a timely and efficient basis.” waterfront is accessible to the public. Connecting the entire waterfront community will be picturesque promenades and parks, “Several outside experts have confirmed that an organization with elegant boardwalks and walkways, and beautiful boat piers. We the scope and scale of mandate such as Waterfront Toronto’s are giving the lakefront back to the public, and ensuring that our requires the planning, financial tools and authorities to enable waterfront neighbourhoods reconnect people to the natural successful revitalization”. attributes of what will be a continuous, publicly accessible landscape.” “Operational governance is under discussion with governments and Waterfront Toronto has received their agreement in principle “By utilizing the best in urban design and by planning to move towards enhanced operational tools. We pursue those streetscapes on a human scale, we give priority to pedestrians, discussions with a view to securing the required authorities by the cyclists and transit vehicles while balancing the needs of those end of this fiscal year.” (source: www.waterfronttoronto.ca) with cars. We have already linked trail connections long severed
Harbourfront Centre site plan. Image Credit: http://www.harbourfrontcentre.com/whoweare/maps.cfm
38 carlyle + associates | DIALOG by roads and highways; opened up public areas on the water’s edge that were previously inaccessible or unwelcoming; and created new places for the public to gather, play or just watch the sunshine dance on the water.”
“Waterfront Toronto sees parks and public spaces as the inspiration and starting point for all of its designs. Throughout the waterfront, a number of new, iconic public parks are being created. Each park is designed to offer unique visitor experiences that enhance the quality of the communities that surround them.“ (source: www.waterfronttoronto.ca)
rossdale generating station • repurposing | preliminary programme statement 39 Site Area: 14ha (35 acres) Granville Island • Vancouver, British 2 2 Building Size: Estimated 5,100m (55,000ft ) Columbia Costs: Estimated $19 million CMHC-Granville Island: Retail: www.granvilleisland.com • Public market Granville island Business and Community Association: • Variety of vendors operating as cottage industries www.gibca.ca • Full range of eating and dining experiences • Boat rentals Granville Island Cultural Society: www.giculturalsociety.org Production on Site: Artists and Artisans: • Ocean Construction Concrete www.granvilleislandartists.com • Micon Industries (drill bit manufacturer) Granville Island Day Vendors Association: • Glassblowing studios, printmakers, luthier, and potters guild www.givida.org • Once home to a brewey • A maritime market of boat builders and supplies Once an industrial site, Granville Island is now a popular area
boasting a large public market as well as many galleries and Education: shops. It occupies 14ha of a small peninsula connected to • Emily Carr University of Art and Design offers courses in a downtown Vancouver via the Granville Street Bridge. variety of media and genres
The site is host to a wide variety of uses including industrial Events Programming: production, a university of art and design, a community centre, a • Performing arts theatre performs classic plays to marina, performing arts theatres, restaurants, and a farmers contemporary theatrical productions market. • Art galleries
• Buskers throughout the island As the first of many projects to reinvigorate Vancouver’s False • Farmers market Creek, redevelopment of Granville Island began in the 1970’s by • Attending festivals at one of three indoor performance venues the federal government through the CMHC. The Granville Island
Urban Design and Character: Trust has since developed as an advisory council to the CMHC to • Maintains the industrial character of the site through adaptive direct future development on the site. With an initial investment of reuse of buildings and use of simple materials throughout the $19 million, the site now generates an estimated $35 million in tax site revenues. (source: www.wikipedia.org)
Public Realm
The outdoor public realm focuses on the sea wall and eclectic range of pedestrian oriented but mixed mode of streets, lanes and small plazas.
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rossdale generating station • repurposing | preliminary programme statement 41 Site Area: 2.5km of waterfront Quais du Vieux-Port • Montreal, Quebec Building Size: Not known Costs: $30M annual operating budget www.quaisduvieuxport.com/sur-les-quais.html $16M generated on site www.vieux.montreal.qc.ca $14M in government contributions
Retail: The Old Port of Montreal welcomes over 7 million visitors per year • Boutique promenade for small vendors and offers access to a wide variety of activities along the St. • Various restaurants, bistros, and lounges Lawrence River. It consists of 2.5km of former industrial waterfront • A variety of boating experiences from the Quays that has been transformed into a recreational and cultural space. It is complementary to Vieux Montreal - the historic city centre – Production on Site: home to numerous museums, artist studios and historic • Various craft studios/boutiques in the adjacent Vieux-Montreal architecture. • Cruise ship terminal at Alexander Quay The Old Port is the site of the Montreal Science Centre, various Education: restaurants, bistros and lounges, and a boutique promenade. It • Home to the Montreal Science Centre plays host to many large cultural events throughout the year, • Variety of museums in the adjacent Vieux-Montreal including the Igloofest electronica festival, the Matsuri Japon festival, and a baroque festival. Events Programming: • Diverse range of civicyear-round events: Remnants from the port’s past have been retained and contribute - Igloofest electronica festival to its industrial character. Several warehouses, grain elevators, - Rock concerts and canal locks dating from the 1820s are present. - Baroque festival - Fireworks shows Redevelopment of the Old Port took place in the early 1990s, - Matsuri Japon festival guided by the Old Port of Montreal Corporation – a crown • Skating and skate rentals corporation reporting directly to parliament. Currently, Quays of the Old Port generates about half of its revenue on site, through Urban Design and Character: the science centre, events, and parking. The remainder is • The site’s industrial past is maintained through the provided through government contributions. preservation of historic structures, including: - Canal locks built in the 1820s Development within Quais du Vieux-Port and adjacent Vieux - Grain elevators Montréal Quarter has been extensive. - Refrigerated warehouse from the 1920s • Is an extension of the adjacent Vieux-Montreal, an area of The sites are surrounded and integrated with a wide diversity of significant historic preservation neighbourhoods and ongoing developments. • Extensive promenade and parks • Quay structures selectively retained Public realm development has been extensive, focussing on both the riverfront and the network of streets and squares. It includes shuttle bus service, extensive promenades, parks and gardens and award winning lighting.
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rossdale generating station • repurposing | preliminary programme statement 43 Site Area: 23ha (56acres) The Forks • Winnipeg, Manitoba Building Size: Not known Costs: Not known www.theforks.com
Retail: • Indoor market space provided for small vendors, many The Forks encompasses an expanse of riverside property in the providing local goods and fresh foods heart of downtown Winnipeg at the confluence of the Red and • Variety of casual and fine dining available Assiniboine Rivers. A meeting place for thousands of years, it is • Boat rentals at the marina the city’s most popular gathering place, attracting nearly 4 million visitors each year. Production on Site: • CityTV Winnipeg broadcasts from their studio at The Forks The 23ha site includes an indoor market, various shops and • Small scale food production restaurants, a hotel, a television station, and a skateboarding plaza. It is the future home of the Canadian Human Rights Education: Museum (now under construction), the first federal museum to be • Manitoba Theatre for Young People provides classes located outside of the Ottawa-Gatineau capital area. Conceptual • Royal Dance at The Forks planning is also underway for a mixed use development on the • The plaza hosts summer skateboarding camps north edge of the site, including residential development. • Tall grass prairie garden and interpretation
It is associated with extensive riverfront pedestrian improvements Events Programming: including the Manitoba Legislature, St.-Boniface, and Exchange • Hosts over 200 events annually District. The Esplanade Riel pedestrian bridge and several new • Diverse range of civic, cultural and recreational programming: vehicle bridges improve access to the site. - Canada Day/New Year’s celebrations
- Winnipeg International Children’s Festival Development of The Forks began in the late 1980s, guided by The - Theatre productions Forks North Portage Partnership - a corporation owned equally by - Winter skating, snowboarding and tobogganing the Government of Canada, the Province of Manitoba, and the City • Skating and skate rentals on the river of Winnipeg. • Small craft ferry boat service to and from other destinations on the river
Urban Design and Character: • The Forks maintains a historic/interpretive focus celebrating the site’s 6000 year history as a meeting place • Several historic buildings, a rail bridge and rail cars have been preserved on site • Extensive promenade and parks
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rossdale generating station • repurposing | preliminary programme statement 45 Site Area: 1.2ha (2.9acres) Wychwood Barns • Toronto, Ontario Building Size: 5,600m2 (60,000ft2) Costs: Not known www.torontoartscape.on.ca
Retail: • Year-round space provided for vendors Wychwood Barns is the result of a collaborative effort between Artscape Toronto and the Stop Community Food Centre. This Production on Site: 5600m2 former TTC streetcar barn has been transformed into a • Urban agriculture – food is produced in greenhouse multi use facility, providing affordable housing to artists and their families, office and meeting space for a variety of not-for-profit Education: organizations, as well as acting as a community centre and • Community programs led by not-for-profit tenants, including weekend market. sustainable food and arts classes
Programming is entirely community initiated. Programs in art and Events Programming: sustainable food are offered through various tenants, while the • Community centre hosts community festivals and special greater community can utilize the centre as a venue to host events special events. • Tenant initiated programming
The Wychwood Barns are owned by the City of Toronto and Urban Design and Character: operated by the Artscape Foundation - a charitable organization • Maintains the character of the original TTC streetcar barns that operates similar centres throughout Toronto. It operates on a self sustaining model that does not require ongoing subsidies. Initially funded through various government grants and private benefactors, Wychwood Barns is maintained by the affordable rents paid by tenants.
46 carlyle + associates | DIALOG Evergreen Brick Works • Toronto, Ontario Site Area: Not known Building Size: Not known www.ebw.evergreen.ca Costs: $48M in initial funding, comprised of: $30M in government donations $18M in private donations Located on the east side of central Toronto on the site of the former Don Valley Brick Works, the Evergreen Foundation has Retail: created a community environmental centre. • Retail garden centre • Weekend farmers market “Evergreen’s focus has been the site’s 16 historic factory • Future cafe buildings. The buildings – a collection of brick structures from the early 1900s and industrial sheds from the 1950s – have been Production on Site: revitalized through a process called “adaptive re-use.” The result • Bicycle recycle/reuse program is Evergreen Brick Works – a community environmental centre with • Urban agriculture on site programs that celebrate the site’s unique geological, industrial Education: and natural heritage.” • Provides an array of educational programs aimed at school
groups and families The Brick Works is composed of a diverse range of facilities, • Home to the Centre for Green Cities including a retail garden centre specializing in indigenous and • Orientation to greater sustainability environmentally beneficial plant species, a facility that refurbishes
donated bicycles, leasable office space, farmers’ market, and Events Programming: venue space for community events. Education is a key component • Weekend farmers market of the Brick Works, and in addition to facilitating school groups • Venue for community events and summer camps, it offers classes throughout the year on • School camps environmental topics as well as yoga and meditation. • Yoga and meditation programming
• Art exhibitions “Evergreen Brick Works is now open year-round featuring • Skating and skate rentals innovative programs that are inclusive and accessible to anyone
wanting to explore how to live, work and play more sustainably.” Urban Design and Character:
• Occupies the historic buildings of the Don Valley Brick Works “Evergreen Brick Works is a social enterprise. Your • Within the wilderness setting of the Don Valley, with support—buying plants, paying activity fees or feeding the considerable restoration parking meter—helps us deliver accessible and inclusive community programs that bring nature back to cities.“Operating income will be generated from office space and event rentals; Evergreen Gardens, a mission-driven retail space; a café, summer camps; parking and other revenue-generating activity. At the same time, Evergreen Brick Works will provide a social and environmental return to the community in the form of new programs and services that improve environmental quality and promote health and wellness. As a result we will demonstrate environmental, social and economic sustainability.”
rossdale generating station • repurposing | preliminary programme statement 47 A series of components make up the Brick Works:
The Kilns: “The most dramatic space at Evergreen Brick Works was formerly the most functional part of the site. Visitors will take guided tours of this 52,000-square-foot area to see the three long tunnel kilns and six single-track drying tunnels. You will go back in time as you explore the rich industrial heritage of the site.”
“Unique, large-scale art installations will be displayed throughout. The unique combination of heritage, activity and art will make it a fabulous venue for events.”
“Visitors will also see Outward Bound Canada at the north end of the building with their 60-foot climbing tower, indoor bouldering wall and ropes course.” Image credit: DTAH http://ebw.evergreen.ca/media/press-images/ Art: “Rather than art being a layer on top of a building, we are embedding art into the whole Evergreen Brick Works project. This is not the way things are traditionally done. Art changes the way you look at and engage with space. The subject matter here is sustainability, and art brings out its emotional qualities. The role of art on site is to bring voice to the spirit of a place that holds sustainability as a core value.” (Ferruccio Sardella, artist-in-residence, Evergreen Brick Works)
The site-specific artworks on display at Evergreen Brick Works reflect on aspects of geology, industrial heritage and ecology on the site, and tell the stories of this restored land.
The Gardens: “A showcase for sustainable urban greening, this is a 20,000-square-foot native plant demonstration space. These large native plant and food gardens inspire visitors with tips, Image credit: Dominique Verstraeten techniques and designs for creating gardens in urban settings. http://ebw.evergreen.ca/media/press-images/ School groups, community groups, home gardeners and families will participate in the planting, care and maintenance.”
Public Realm: Its public realm includes the Don Valley Brickworks Park, an environmental preserve with meandering paths and opportunities to see a range of bird life. It continues to protect and restore this valuable ecosystem. These parks are under the jurisdiction of the City of Toronto.
Evergreen Brick Works is funded through donations from government ($30 million) and private sources ($18 million). While the Evergreen Foundation is a charitable organization, it operates the Brick Works as a social enterprise, generating revenue through its garden centre, office leases, and parking. In 2010, Evergreen Brick Works was named by National Geographic as one of the world’s top 10 geotourism destinations. (Source: ebw.evergreen.ca)
Image credit: Evergreen http://ebw.evergreen.ca/media/press-images/
48 carlyle + associates | DIALOG Le Moulin • Quebec City, Quebec Site Area: n/a Building Size: n/a www.lacaserne.net/index2.php/other_projects Costs: Not known
Retail: Le Moulin was one of the main events celebrating Québec’s 400th • Adjacent to amenities of Vieux-Quebec anniversary in 2008. Production on Site: The project is a spectacle; large scale outdoor sound and light • n/a show played off the turn of the century grain terminal (Le Moulin). Education: The boldness and vitality of the show have made Québec’s • n/a Vieux-Port a summer evening destination for 1000’s. The result is a new awareness of this part of the city. The popularity of the show Events Programming: has resulted in its extension to 2014. • Hosting of the show
Urban Design and Character: • Projects onto former grain terminal
Image credit: John Sanchez www.flickr.com
rossdale generating station • repurposing | preliminary programme statement 49 Site Area: Not known East Village and RiverWalk • Calgary, Alberta Building Size: Not known Costs: Not known www.calgarymlc.ca http://cantos.ca/kingeddy Retail:
• Plan for neighbourhood oriented retail The East Village is a plan to revitalize Calgary’s historic east side
core. It involves streetscape and infrastructure improvements, Production on Site: rejuvenation of heritage buildings, and environmental remediation • Not known to drive private and public development in the area. The plan aims
to build a vibrant community of 11 500 people along with Education: shopping, dining, entertainment and recreational amenities. • Site of the National Music Centre in the former King Eddy
Hotel The RiverWalk is a component of the East Village revitalization
Events Programming: project, consisting of 4km of riverfront promenade that integrate • Not Known with the city’s existing trail system. RiverWalk aims to restore the natural beauty of the riverbanks, improve connectivity to Urban Design and Character: surrounding neighbourhoods, and provide an inviting place for • Former mixed use turn of the century neighbourhood abutting people to enjoy the Bow and Elbow rivers. the Bow River The East Village revitalization project is being undertaken by the Calgary Municipal Land Corporation (CMLC) a wholly owned subsidiary of the City of Calgary. Its major source of funding is a Community Revitalization Levy (CRL), which allocates all increased property tax revenues resulting from redevelopment in the district to the CMLC for the implementation of the plan.
“CMLC is committed to cultivating partners in the community that share our passion and vision for creating vibrant, sustainable neighbourhoods. To date, this includes Enmax, Cantos Music Foundation, Calgary Arts Development Authority and Bosa and Embassy Development.”
RiverWalk at 4th Avenue “Flyover” Bicycle trail: 3.0m wide Walkway: 5.5m wide
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RiverWalk – Outlook detail RiverWalk – Outlook
East Village site plan Image Credit: CMLC East Village Master Plan, Executive Summary www.calgarymlc.ca/rivers_projects/east_village/about_east_village/documents/ rossdale generating station • repurposing | preliminary programme statement 51 Site Area: Not known Tate Modern • London, England Building Size: 34,500m2 (370,000ft2) www.tate.org.uk/modern Costs: 40% of annual operating budget provided through http://londonpromenade.blogspot.com/2010/02/london-prome government grants, while 60% is generated through nade-goes-public-at-nla.html operations
Retail: The Tate Modern is located in the heart of London, across the • Full range of eating and dining experiences Thames from St Paul’s Cathedral and linked by a wide range of • Art shops modes including the pedestrian Millennium Bridge. • Renting a boat to travel the Thames The museum is Britain’s national gallery of modern art, housed in Production on Site: the former Bankside Power Station. Since being converted in • Museum staff offices and curatorial offices 2000, the 34,500m2 gallery has become the most visited modern
art gallery in the world. Education:
• Exhibits “The success of the Modern has led to the proposal for an iconic • Courses, workshops, and lectures are offered covering a wide new building to be added at the south of the existing gallery. It will range of subjects create more spaces for displaying the Collection, performance • School programs and installation art and learning, all allowing visitors to engage
more deeply with art, as well as creating more social spaces for Events Programming: visitors to unwind and relax in the gallery.” • Art openings
• Corporate hosting Tate Modern is run by a non-departmental public body, which is • Film, music, and dance sponsored by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport
(DCMS). 40% of its funding is provided through grants from the Urban Design and Character: DCMS, while the remainder is generated through the operations of • Occupies the former Bankside Power Station the gallery.
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“The London Promenade project is a proposal to create a new extension to the existing promenade at the South Bank Centre, eastwards from Gabriel’s Wharf, along the south bank of the River Thames, via Bankside, Borough Market, and the Pool of London to connect with the existing jetty at Butler's Wharf.”
“The project would be the logical conclusion to the successful but partial and piecemeal improvements to the River Walk over the last decade. Significantly enlarged, incorporating jetties and piers, over the water and under bridges, the London Promenade would benefit the capital as a whole by creating a new, accessible, major waterfront park for the 21st century.”
“The London Promenade would refocus attention on the River Thames at the heart of London and revitalize the river; define the South Bank as the new cultural quarter for London and provide a spectacular and safe venue for large celebrations. Of utmost importance would be its reinforcement of London’s image and identity, the perception in which it is held in the eyes of the world.”
Summary
Each of these facilities/destinations is highly engaged with its greater community – engaging the broad community in its various programmes and facilities.
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54 carlyle + associates | DIALOG 4.0 COMMUNITY CONVERSATION
A “community conversation” was hosted by the City of Edmonton Key themes on 30 November 2010. People representing a wide spectrum of community interests from the creative fields, education, A number of key themes emerged among the 18 participants in community and neighbourhood interests were invited to the “community conversation”. They include: participate. The purpose was to develop and share ideas about the potential transformation of the Rossdale Generating Station 1. Water access is important and its site as a major public destination. • Active water’s edge (e.g. kayaks, water taxis) Broader community consultation is to occur in 2011 based on the • Pier that extends into the water Preliminary Programme Statement. 2. Coordination and consideration for surrounding area and project developments • West Rossdale, Legislature, downtown, the bridge
3. Theme of Vibrancy/Energy/Illumination • A destination that is alive for both residents and visitors
4. Year round use both day and evening • Parts of the destination can be seasonal
5. Unique Multi-purpose • Recreational •Commercial (no chains) • Artistic • Entertainment • Cultural • Celebrating food – living local • Education
6. Celebrate and honour history/legacy • Aboriginal, • Industrial, • Social
7. Accessibility • Pedestrian and cyclists • “Parking if necessary but not necessarily parking” • Many “doors” • Connection point between downtown and Strathcona – gateway
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56 carlyle + associates | DIALOG Image credit: T. Bourque 5.0 PROGRAMME STATEMENT
The Programme Statement for the buildings and site is derived from the overall goal to create an ‘urban magnet’ or major destination that offers an easily accessible and diverse mix of uses, activities and elements that celebrate the site and the community’s culture.
The theme proposed is “re-generation”, in all its dimensions from the buildings and site to communities and individuals, their dreams, pursuits and experiences. The underlying objective is to develop the Generating Station on the river as the home that is the place where the community’s creativity is engendered, enhanced, explored, innovated, and celebrated.
creativity The ability to generate something new; the production by one or more person of ideas and inventions that are personal, original and meaningful; a mental process involving the generation of new ideas or concepts or new associations between existing ideas or concepts.
creative hub A multi-tenant centre, complex or place-based network that functions as a focal point of cultural activity and/or creative entrepreneurship incubation within a community. A hub provides an innovative platform for combining the necessary hard and soft infrastructure to support the space and programming needs of commercial, not-for-profit and community sectors.
creative capacity The relative ability of an organization, community or city to generate ideas, goods and services; the strength of creative assets and resources of an organization, community or city.
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Potential pedestrian and bicycle route improvements
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A fundamental cross section organization is proposed for the Boiler and Turbine Halls, Switch House, and the east portion of the High Pressure Plant. • Switch House - serves education and administrative, office functions • Boiler and Turbine Halls: • Basement – workshops for fabrication and selected retail • Main floors – performance event spaces, with potential for educational programming • Mezzanine – serves for retail including restaurants and cafés, given panoramic views • High Pressure Plant – events, exhibition, performance.
Section of Low Pressure Plant – Programming Framework
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Site Limits and Retained Buildings
The plan above identifies the general limits of public access as proposed by EPCOR to the City. It includes the buildings (Boiler Hall, Turbine Hall, the basement of the east section of the High Pressure Plant, Pump House 1, Pump House 2 and potentially 060 Substation)
The site available for public access would include from Rossdale Road south to the river, west to the proposed bridge alignment (TBD), north to the transmission yard and cemetery, and the reservoir zone east to 100 Street.
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Site Access and Circulation
This identifies vehicle and pedestrian access and circulation • Pedestrian access to the Boiler and Turbine Halls is from the within and beyond the site: north and south and west. • Vehicle access is from Rossdale Road and shared with • Access to the Pump Houses is from the river edge access to the EPCOR water Treatment Plant. Routes extend promenade. east along the backside of TELUS Field, south to the river and • Multiple routes of access beyond the site for pedestrians and west around the buildings and site. Service vehicle access to cyclists are proposed to West Rossdale, the proposed bridge, the Low Pressure Plant is from a modified north entrance. over the reservoirs to South Rossdale and connecting with the • Limited on-site parking is available both along the east side of multi-use trail network. the Turbine Hall and south of the TELUS Field Stadium.
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Public Realm Framework
This framework identifies the key public places on the site: • Buildings • Rossdale Road Plaza • Riverview Esplanade and lookout • Community Greensward over the reservoirs • River edge promenade • ‘Touch the Water’ Promenade • Walterdale Bridge Belvedere • Pump House 2 – Café • Pump House 1 – Water access (Pool, Dock)
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Landscapes
A wide range of landscapes are proposed: • Civic - Riverview Esplanade and lookout, and potential for Walterdale Bridge boulevards. • Art – High Pressure Building Basement for exhibition of work from the site within a garden setting • Community Production – the growing and harvesting of produce for on-site and community use. • Display – Curated and temporal garden displays. • Aspen Parkland - indigenous planting depicting a representation of the site prior to occupation. • Wetland - collecting on site storm water, filtration, reuse and shedding to the river. • Riparian – preserving and protecting the riverbank landscape.
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Site Form Illustrated Site Plan
The plan above identifies overall grades for the various The plan opposite depicts a wide range of places, both within the components along the site. buildings and on the site that would offer a unique mix of experiences, places and facilities that together create an Urban Magnet.
64 carlyle + associates | DIALOG EPCOR WATER TREATMENT FACILITY Illustrated Site Plan • Urban Magnet
E R RETAIL E EDUCATION EP UD EP P PRODUCTION
EP EVENTS PROGRAMMING
UD URBAN DESIGN & CHARACTER UD
EP E R
SWITCH YARD
R O S S P D A L E
R
O
A D R E R E UD V I R
N A W TRADITIONAL BURIAL E GROUND AND OLD FORT H EDMONTON CEMETERY C E T A K S EP A S
H 105 STREET T R O N
RIVER ROAD PROPOSED WALTERDALE BRIDGE (POTENTIAL ALIGNMENT)
EXISTING WALTERDALE BRIDGE
1:1500 0 10 25 50m EPCOR WATER 18 TREATMENT FACILITY Illustrated Site Plan
19 1 ENTRANCE PLAZA 20 • connected with Rossdale Park and 17 ease of crossing Rossdale Road 8 2 NORTH PLAZA AND BUILDING ENTRANCE • visible along esplanade 4 • welcoming, a clear sense of entrance 3 SOUTH PLAZA and building entrance 21 21 • 1 4 ESPLANADE • from Rossdale Road to River • mixing of pedestrians and vehicles 2 3 • tree lined 5 WALL 16 • as arts venue 6 ASPEN PARKLAND 7 GARDENS 5 • display • production SWITCH YARD • art • riparian 9 • aspen parkland
10 8 WETLAND 13 RAMP ACCESS TO MAIN FLOOR R 9 O S S 10 TOUCH THE WATER PROMENADE D • extends over river A L 7 11 • broad and generous E 14 • multiple points of connection R
O • extends under and connects with A Plaza and Bridge D R E 11 RIVER EDGE PROMENADE • connects with multiuse trails, plaza V 12 I gardens, cafes and destinations R
N 12 PUMP HOUSE 2 A • cafe and terrace W SMOKE STACK TRADITIONAL BURIAL E 13 • location memory GROUND AND OLD FORT H EDMONTON CEMETERY 6 C T 14 SERVICE VEHICLE ROUTE A • access to site areas by vehicle K 15 BELVEDERE S • Plaza and lookout are integrated with 15 A Bridge and its walkway S • viewing over gardens and venues
• access to main plaza/garden areas H 105 STREET T 16 PUMP HOUSE 1 R • access to river, deck and other amenity O N 17 060 SUBSTATION • potential orientation centre 18 PARKING • along north side of reservoirs 19 EPCOR ENTRANCE
RIVER ROAD PROPOSED WALTERDALE BRIDGE (POTENTIAL ALIGNMENT) • restricted access 20 PALISADE - FORT EDMONTON 2 • potential interpretation of greater history 21 PARKING EXISTING WALTERDALE BRIDGE • north and south of switch house (26 stalls)
1:1500 0 10 25 50m
Plaza area for display and presentation venue Art studios, production and display
Esplanade – tree lined way of mixed vehicle and pedestrian traffic
Art studios, production and display
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Display of on-site creative production in industrial scale gallery Former industrial building converted for creative endeavors
The “Art of Living” confirms the need in Edmonton for creative spaces:
“The first area of focus is that of space for artists and arts activities of all kinds. This issue was the most frequently mentioned in consultations with stakeholders. A recent survey of Edmonton artists4 indicated that almost 28% of artists currently living in Edmonton are considering leaving the city. The main factor is identified in the survey as a current lack of affordable space to live and work as an artist in Edmonton.
“Throughout every artistic discipline it is acknowledged that you are unlikely to find a vibrant and innovative sector unless the infrastructure around that sector is also actively engaged in education, training and mentoring, not only of its young but among peers as well. Young and emerging Throughout every artistic discipline it is acknowledged that you are unlikely to find a vibrant and innovative sector unless the infrastructure around that sector is also actively engaged in education, training and mentoring, not only of its young but among peers as well. Young and emerging artists need a variety of educational settings to choose from, they need teachers who are themselves skilled and qualified, and at some point in their training and education they need to be mentored in a close relationship with an established artist.”
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Aspen Parkland Community Garden
Prairie and parkland interpretive garden Community Garden
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Art and Display Garden Art and Display Garden
Art and Display Garden
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Art and Display Garden Art and Display Garden
Wetland for stormwater effluent filtration with potential for supply of non-potable water requirements
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View to lower garden and art display
River edge promenade
“Touch The Water” Promenade
River edge promenade – pedestrian only Example of water edge promenade with separated pedestrian and cycling zones
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Example of water edge promenade with separated pedestrian and cycling zones
Café with outdoor terrace Access to main floor of turbine hall over lower garden
Small scale retail associated with on-site production Winter and summer night displays celebrating the northern seasons
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Conceptual aerial view (from the North Bank)
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Potential use of the Turbine Hall (from the North Bank)
Potential use of the Boiler Hall mezzanine (from the North Bank)
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Dreams of a City
nothing lay so clear before those who stood on these banks than the great
canopy of sky that spread above them and poured forth its endless light
and everything it seemed stood eternal here all that was laid bare
Ted Blodgett
76 carlyle + associates | DIALOG Image credit: Tom Arban 6.0 RECOMMENDATIONS
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78 carlyle + associates | DIALOG 6.1 Recommendations Stakeholders Assessment
Identify potential stakeholders to encourage a community of Confirm Municipal Leadership Role interest, both internal and external to the City.
The City is to take ownership of the buildings and associated site. Build Expertise It is to set the direction and ascertain the benefit for partnering with institutions, community groups, and senior governments. It is • Develop a panel of experts to both bring forward advice and to implement the project. respond to queries and interests.
Identify objectives and mandate, schedules and budgets. • Learn from other’s successes. • Invite experts in the process of creating creative destinations to assess and propose implementation addressing Integration and Coordination • Municipal partnering, mandating, financing, phasing, planning and design, and overall management. Develop a process within the senior municipal administration for • In coordination with building and site improvements as both managing each of The North Bank projects (Rossdale proposed by the Technical Assessment, develop an Generating Station, West Rossdale, and Walterdale Bridge) to incremental approachwhereby support from the potential assure not only coordination but also full integration with one community increases over time and schedule. another on a day-to-day basis to create a single integrated destination community.
Create Public Awareness
Promote public access and use of the site and buildings following completion of decommissioning and safety codes to develop overall community awareness of the facilities, site and their 6.2 Recommended Assessments potential.
Transportation Impact Assessment (TIA): Programme Activity Undertake a TIA to assess the potential for modal split, quantity Develop a series of venues (interior and exterior) for temporal and and pattern of vehicle traffic seasonal uses from lights shows to picnics.
Parking Impact Assessment (PIA): Integrate Planning and Design and Implementation In association with the TIA undertake a PIA to ascertain quantity Coordinate all work with the Walterdale Bridge project to create and type of parking potentially required. certainty and integration of interrelated components including pedestrian access and circulation to and from the site, nearby Develop an overall pedestrian, parking and traffic management destinations and beyond. Critical components include road deck plan in coordination with major destinations in the vicinity elevation of the bridge, promenade alignment and dimensions, including TELUS Field, Kinsmen Sports Centre, and the proposed interconnection with pedestrian facility associated with the bridge West Rossdale Neighbourhood. across the river to the south bank, belvedere or lookout for viewing into the generating station site and access from one to the other. Environmental impact Assessment (EIA): Review and refine limits of fencing as proposed by EPCOR especially at the entrance off Rossdale Road to achieve a greater Undertake an EIA to confirm constraints and mitigation for public sense of entrance in relation to the Rossdale Road (proposed) active use of the site. and the proposed park and promenade to the north.
Develop a sense of the greater context to enable future phases. Historic Impact Resource Assessment (HIRA)
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80 carlyle + associates | DIALOG Image credit: T. Bourque APPENDICES
A. Community Conversation Invitations B. The North Bank
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NAME ORGANIZATION
APPENDIX A Batty, Jane City of Edmonton Bednarsky, Dushan Rossdale Community
Community Conversation Invitations Bevanf, Bruce EEDC
Bolstad, Allan Edm Federation of Com Leagues
Enclosed is a list of individuals invited to attend the Community Brenneis, Lyall City of Edmonton Conversation, 30 November 2011. Attendees are highlighted in Bunting, Natalie Rossdale Community blue. Byrne, Paul Grant MacEwan University
Carter, Leona City of Edmonton Cherlet, Ron -
Cochrane, Linda City of Edmonton (possibly)
Cullman, Cal Riverwatch
Dalgleish, Diane Alta Infrastructure/Govt of Alta.
Fricson, Bea City of Edmonton
Gilbertson, Ron EEDC
Goss, Douglas Fort Edm Management Co.
Graham, Scott PCL & ECF
Hawkins, Lois Govt of Alta
Hebert, Gilles Alberta Art Gallery
Henderson, Ben City of Edmonton
Ireland, Barb City of Edmonton
Janzen, Davie Visual Arts
Kaba, Shafraaz Manasc Isaac
Kilduff, John Rossdale Com/EPCOR
Klassen, Gary Senior Management Team/COE
Latta-Guthrie, Leslie Provincial Archives of Alta.
Lowry, Don EPCOR
Mahon, John Edmonton Arts Council
Martin-Garber,Conrad Edm Communtity Foundation
McFall, Tom Alberta Art Crafts
McNeil, Dr. David Leg. Assembly of Alta/Govt of Alta
McRae, Heather City of Edmonton
Moore-Kilgannon, Bill Riverdale Community O'Byrne, Simon Stantec Inc.
Ohm, Peter Senior Mgmt team
Palter, Leigh-Anne EPCOR
Parish, Lynn Rossdale Community
Phair, Michael U of A
Robinson, Chris RAM/Govt of Alta
Rolingher, Sol RVA
Samarasejera, Indira U of A
Seutter, Heather Muttart Conservatory
Sheard, Chris Capital Regional Board
Shields, Rob U of A
Smyth, Rob City of Edmonton
Taylor, Jim Downtown Bus Assoc.
Tingley, Ken History Laureate
Tomazewski, Judy Cloverdale Community
Turner, Alison Edmonton Arts Council
Wagner, Geoff EPCOR
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84 carlyle + associates | DIALOG APPENDIX B The North Bank
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