Downtown Area Redevelopment Plan (DARP)
August 16, 2010 — Council approved the Downtown Area Redevelopment Plan
The Mayor’s Tasks Force on the Downtown and the Community Branding process are initiatives that will lead to a review and update of the Downtown Area Redevelopment Plan (DARP) Bylaw 11/90. Mayor Nolan Crouse and Council are energized to see the downtown as a vitalized area for St. Albert.
Vision Statement (2009):
Downtown St. Albert is an exciting, vibrant place where residents, visitors, businesses and government come together. It is a place to shop, celebrate history and the arts, and enjoy outstanding events and entertainment.
Council's Key Objectives are:
- Establish a geographic boundary for downtown that provides focus yet maximum potential for amenities, liveability and business.
- Increase the desirability of our downtown as the place to live for people of all ages.
- Create a mix of businesses that ensures growth and sustainability within our downtown.
- Create a central gathering place that supports the downtown’s year round attractions and events.
- Offer convenient transportation connections to downtown that are safe, walk-able and accessible to all.
- Establish an architectural theme in the downtown that captures the eclectic nature of St. Albert.
- Strengthen the look and feel of the downtown through beautification, signage and infrastructure enhancements.
- Improve the Sturgeon River as an attraction for year round activities.
Public Consultation and Presentations
August 2010
The DARP Public Hearing was held July 5th and August 16th. Council adopted the
Downtown Area Redevelopment Plan Schedule A to Bylaw 5/2010. Bylaw 11/90 is repealed
by Bylaw 5/2010.
Click on links below for more information.
Downtown Area Redevelopment Plan Schedule A to Bylaw 5/2010
To view the Council Minutes from the continuation of the DARP Public Hearing on August
16th click here.
June 2010
On Thursday, June 3rd, Urban Strategies held a third Public Open House.
Click on links below for the public presentation.
June 3, 2010 - Open House Presentation (64 slides)
June 3, 2010 - Open House Display Panels (14 Slides)
To view the Proposed DARP Bylaw Document and Agenda Report please click here.
The DARP public hearing will be July 5 and August 16, 2010.
April 2010
In April 2010, there will be an open house and presentation to see if what has been stated has been captured by Urban Strategies Inc. The team will prepare a technical report and a new bylaw will be written on the DARP for the public hearing that is tentatively planned for July 2010.
February 2010
February 10, 2010, Urban Strategies Inc. held a second public open house and presentation to unveil ideas about improving St. Albert’s downtown. There was a scaled model of St. Albert’s downtown used to help visualize potential redevelopment of the area. There were also three concept plans introduced as part of the presentation.
February 10, 2010 - Open House Presentation
February 10, 2010 - Presentation Panels
Workshop and Open House Comments
November / December 2009
In November and December 2009, Urban Strategies Inc. met with City staff from many departments, downtown businesses, the Chamber of Commerce, SAEDAC, members of the arts community, developers, and other stakeholders.
On December 10, 2009, a public presentation was held to talk about vibrant downtowns.
December 10, 2009 - Developing a Plan for Downtown
November 2009
In November 2009, Urban Strategies Inc. was retained to undertake the review and update of the DARP. Urban Strategies Inc. is a Toronto–based planning and urban design firm that shapes and enhances urban places. Their diverse expertise includes architecture, planning, economics, landscape architecture, public administration and visual arts. They have worked in Alberta, Canada, USA, the Caribbean, and Europe. For this project they have added to the team, ISL Engineering and Land Services and Urban Marketing Collaborative.
For more information:
Planning & Development
Second Floor, 5 St. Anne Street
St. Albert, AB T8N 3Z9
Fax: 780-458-1974
