2011SPE032: Attachment 3
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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. 10 carlyle + associates | DIALOG 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