Quote:
Originally Posted by transplant99
what does the library contribute in the way of an entertainment district?
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At the very least, it fills a hole in the nearby urban fabric. What is meant by urban fabric is basically continuous intense-use development that forms an urban area, whereas surface parking, vacant lots, etc. effectively end or break up the collective usability and vitality of an area.
It's also going to see much more use for events, programming than the old location. Through this, it can be a gathering place of its own from time to time, and otherwise adds to the collective "placeness" of the surrounding blocks.
Logistically, it also plays a key part in the area in that it bridges over a large visual, physical and psychological barrier that is the South LRT connection to the CP Tunnel and creates a good transition to the 7th Avenue transit mall.
Quote:
Originally Posted by transplant99
Well this "potential" has existed down there for what....40 years now?
What's going to change now?
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It's more instructive to first look at what
has changed.
- Public works in East Village including raising the floodplain, riverwalk (which will continue south across the tracks at 7th Street East), new 4th Street Underpass (which solves a huge connectivity issue for both East Village, Stampede and Victoria Park.
- Private and institutional development that followed East Village work as well as adjacent East Beltline. National Music Centre along with above-noted Central Library, lots of condos, some office.
- A general shift over the past decade in Calgary and large urban areas in North America generally toward urban renewal.
Now, what will change:
- A brand new high capacity LRT line directly adjacent to the proposed site, as well as proximity to existing LRT that will slowly see capacity increases due to 4 car train operation and other improvements.
- Stampede Youth Campus
- More development on ready-to-build parcels of land.
- A new high capacity Calgary Parking Authority parkade a few blocks to the north.
- The eventual relocation of the Victoria Park Transit Centre (aka bus barns) which will open up prime riverfront land for development
- The eventual removal of the Saddledome which will enable the Stampede's long-talked-about Stampede Trail plans (on this, your "potential for 40 years" point is somewhat resonant, granted). Or, worst case, repurposing of the Saddledome.