WestLRT Construction Transgression thread

[Ozy_Flame]

I'm under the impression that Westbrook mall is not only staying in that location, but the master plan I saw/heard about a while ago says it may get expanded with a second level . . . Am I going crazy or is that true?

[Ducay]

Originally Posted by Ozy_Flame

I'm under the impression that Westbrook mall is not only staying in that location, but the master plan I saw/heard about a while ago says it may get expanded with a second level . . . Am I going crazy or is that true?

If I remember an open house presentation correctly, the ultimate goal would be highrise condos surrounding a "high street" that would be mixed use 2-3 story buildings (think the new Marda Loop building). I'll see what google pulls up on the recent TOD plans

Expanding Westbrook as it is would just be a money pit.

Originally Posted by MrMastodonFarm

Those are Sudanese.

You said it, not me. Little Khartoum ftw!

[frinkprof]

A lot of the Westbrook ARP (aka TOD Plan) can be summed up by the following maps and concept renderings I pulled from it:

Precincts:




Density Areas, dark is the highest maximum density




Density - More specific with FAR (Floor Area Ratio) Numbers




Urban Design




Concept Renderings





Note that this does not necessarily reflect exactly what the owners of Westbrook Mall, Boston Pizza, etc. will do at the earliest opportunity. It is how the structure of planning (subdivision of city-owned parcels, land use districts - AKA zoning of parcels) and building of infrastructure (like the central park, new internal roads, sidewalks etc.) will be guided.

Also, links to the full ARP if you want to go through it.

1, 2, 3, 4, 5

Westbrook ARP page on westlrt.ca:

http://www.westlrt.ca/stationareas/westbrookarp.cfm

[Aeneas]

Balloons and kites! I'm on board.

[frinkprof]

Sunalta Station and its copper roof, taken by mersar on SSP:

Spoiler!

WestLRT Sunalta Station by Jason R. Reid, on Flickr


WestLRT Sunalta Station by Jason R. Reid, on Flickr


WestLRT Sunalta Station by Jason R. Reid, on Flickr


WestLRT Sunalta Station by Jason R. Reid, on Flickr

[4X4]

Where are the hoodlums and the graffiti, or does the train have to start running down that line before the neighbourhood is ruined?

[jammies]

Originally Posted by 4X4

Where are the hoodlums and the graffiti, or does the train have to start running down that line before the neighbourhood is ruined?

We already have plenty of vagrants and drunks, I'm sure the station will provide a convenient transportation option that will enhance their alternative lifestyles. Yay!

[Husky]

Originally Posted by Mango

I was doing some research about this a few weeks ago. The Walmart in Westbrook Mall is actually slated to become the city's next Walmart Supercenter. However, my calls to the Walmart head office went unanswered in August. I was going to ask them about the LRT etc. I'm hoping to follow up on it in October.

Its currently being renovated to a SC right now.

[Husky]

Originally Posted by Ozy_Flame

I'm under the impression that Westbrook mall is not only staying in that location, but the master plan I saw/heard about a while ago says it may get expanded with a second level . . . Am I going crazy or is that true?

I have seen plans of them developing it to a mini downtown core for business and pelasure. Basically a kensignton with office space a well.

[1stLand]

I hope they redevelop the site and get rid of that mall. Basically all that is left is sport chek, safeway, walmart, and commercial services (insurance, real estate, bank, dentist office, optomitrist).

Having lived a block away from the mall as a child, I will be sad to see it go. But I would rather see that area revitalized with high rise condo's, new retail and commercial space and parks.

I also hope they tear down / re-develop / or convert alot of those low income, low-rise apartment buildings along 37th street. Those buildings are an eye-sore.

[ken0042]

Originally Posted by 1stLand

I also hope they tear down / re-develop / or convert alot of those low income, low-rise apartment buildings along 37th street. Those buildings are an eye-sore.

I'm sure low income Calgarians won't mind giving up their homes and being forced into smaller accomidations. At least they will be able to take some comfort that you won't have to look at their houses anymore.

[Jordan!]

Originally Posted by ken0042

I'm sure low income Calgarians won't mind giving up their homes and being forced into smaller accomidations. At least they will be able to take some comfort that you won't have to look at their houses anymore.

Those terrible low income apartments probably cost more than my Scottsdale loft.

...Calgary

[1stLand]

Originally Posted by ken0042

I'm sure low income Calgarians won't mind giving up their homes and being forced into smaller accomidations. At least they will be able to take some comfort that you won't have to look at their houses anymore.

I suppose I came across as being very brash, but let me explain.
Growing up in a house that shared a common alley-way with these apartments, it was a common occurance to see prostitutes, drug-use, and crackheads.

Most alarming is the fact that there is a school a short block away.

Not to mention there were plenty of break-ins and vandalism on my home and neighbouring homes.

[ken0042]

Fair enough. I guess I think that solution to those problems is better policing, maybe some tax incentives for the property owners to do repairs, etc.

[Muta]

Originally Posted by 1stLand

I suppose I came across as being very brash, but let me explain.
Growing up in a house that shared a common alley-way with these apartments, it was a common occurance to see prostitutes, drug-use, and crackheads.

Most alarming is the fact that there is a school a short block away.

Not to mention there were plenty of break-ins and vandalism on my home and neighbouring homes.

I live right next to the area in question, and alot of that #### still goes on today. Add knifings and shootings to that list as well, I've seen them.

I don't want to sound brash either, but the area needs to be 'dealt' with if anyone catches my drift. Just because there's low-income housing in there doesn't mean we should feel sorry for them and halt future developments. It's an incredibly sketchy area.

[frinkprof]

^I think these are two different areas being discussed. Close, but separate.

I believe Muta is referring to the subsidized housing east of Westbrook Mall enclosed by Balsam Drive and Spruce Drive.

1stLand is referring to the low rise (primarily market housing I believe) apartments west of Westbrook Mall along 37th Street.

[normtwofinger]

Rosscarrock has always been a bad area. It's only going to get worse with LRT access. Now the transients from downtown will be able to easily access the area.

[Muta]

Originally Posted by frinkprof

^I think these are two different areas being discussed. Close, but separate.

I believe Muta is referring to the subsidized housing east of Westbrook Mall enclosed by Balsam Drive and Spruce Drive.

1stLand is referring to the low rise (primarily market housing I believe) apartments west of Westbrook Mall along 37th Street.

Yes, my mistake. Had a brain cramp there.

[frinkprof]

Originally Posted by normtwofinger

Rosscarrock has always been a bad area. It's only going to get worse with LRT access. Now the transients from downtown will be able to easily access the area.

What?

Rosscarrock is quite a desirable area. Look at all the infill development in the community. Up until the old Ernest Manning closed this past school year, it had all three levels of public schools and shopping within walking distance. The area directly adjacent to the dying Westbrook Mall is an extremely localized area where some problems exist - partly due to the relationship with the mall site.

Providing rail transit to an area increases property values and interest in the area, almost without exception. The TOD plans for Westbrook should help balance out the current issues adjacent to the site.

More broadly - providing more transportation options - especially different modes - to an area always makes that area more liveable and thus desirable.

Sure some transients might have better access to the area? But guess what? So does everyone else in the city and vice versa for the residents in the area. Talk about throwing out the baby with the bathwater.

[1stLand]

Originally Posted by frinkprof

What?

Rosscarrock is quite a desirable area. Look at all the infill development in the community. Up until the old Ernest Manning closed this past school year, it had all three levels of public schools and shopping within walking distance. The area directly adjacent to the dying Westbrook Mall is an extremely localized area where some problems exist - partly due to the relationship with the mall site.

Providing rail transit to an area increases property values and interest in the area, almost without exception. The TOD plans for Westbrook should help balance out the current issues adjacent to the site.

More broadly - providing more transportation options - especially different modes - to an area always makes that area more liveable and thus desirable.

Sure some transients might have better access to the area? But guess what? So does everyone else in the city and vice versa for the residents in the area. Talk about throwing out the baby with the bathwater.

I think the key issue is Policing and Enforcement. (as per Frinkprof). I hope that there are alot of Peace Officers and Transit cops monitoring Westbrook Station.

Roscarrock is undergoing a 'positive' transformation. You will be hard pressed to find a single detached house on a 50' lot for under $400,000 that is of decent quality. There are plenty of infill developments and plenty of speculative investors who have driven up the value of homes by buying and holding these homes (many which have basement suites) as rental properties, with the intention of redeveloping them when the market picks up.

I think it is still far behind Killarney in terms of volume of infill development, but that will change once the LRT is completed and when TOD development begins.