A roadmap for the future of the downtown’s east side is set as the vision for the East Village’s renaissance was revealed yesterday.
The master plan for Calgary’s newest development was unveiled yesterday, including plans for RiverWalk and increased pedestrian areas.
“This is an exciting project,” said Mayor Dave Bronconnier, adding the neighbourhood would bring life back to a historic area.
“It’s the importance of bring people back to the core and that’s city council’s direction,” he said.
The master plan for the neighbourhood shows four distinct areas including River’s Edge, which will be a place for restaurants overlooking the RiverWalk park.
One member of the design team called it “a new urban village,” something between the high-rises of downtown and the span of houses in the suburbs.
Ward 7 Ald. Druh Farrell was at the event and said it’s exciting to see things moving ahead.
“I’ve been fighting for this community since before I got elected … it’s been a labour of love and it’s necessary for the well-being of Calgary,” she said.
The East Village area is now ready for construction to begin.
Chris Ollenberger, president of the Calgary Municipal Land Corporation, in charge of the area’s development, said now that power, water and sewage lines have been completed projects could begin tomorrow.
“With the master plan we can provide some guidance to builders and developers about where we’re going … and what the overall plan is.”
The goal is to complete East Village by 2020.
