The
owners, Western Securities have had this plan in hand for years and
it includes the demolition of the 1960s strip mall, to be replaced by
eight new buildings with a range of uses.
This
final plan came to fruition after many consultations with the
community, who opposed the application during its period with the
city council. Residents believe that the plans are too large for a
small site and will cause traffic congestion on 16th
Avenue. However, their objections were rejected by the city council
and the redevelopment was approved.
The
president of the University Heights Community Association, Peter Khu,
said their main concern was the effect of the project on access to
the Foothills hospital, which is an important cancer and trauma
centre in the south of Alberta. A further concern is that the
project is being built on private and municipal land, which creates a
problem not only for that particular neighborhood, but for the entire
city as it affects the corridor which runs from Banff Trail to the
city’s edge.
A
redevelopment permit will be applied for by Western Securities within
a few months.
