PROJECT UPDATE

The new Bridgeland-Riverside Area Redevelopment Plan process has concluded. A lot of valuable input was received and has been be reviewed to help inform future planning in the area. A summary report for phase three of engagement can be viewed here.

Thank you to everyone who participated in the process.


Moving forward, The City is taking a new multi-community approach to local area planning. The Guidebook for Great Communities will be used to help plan a community’s future long-term growth and development. Past planning work, such as: the East Riverside Master Plan; the Main Streets – 1 Avenue N.E. Streetscape Master Plan; approved sites on The City’s Inventory of Evaluated Historic Resources; and the sites designated with Character Homes Retention incentive program will continue to inform the vision and policies in local area planning for Bridgeland in the future.

The timeline and next steps for a multi-community local planning process that includes Bridgeland-Riverside has not been determined. The community will be informed when more information is available.


Here are some questions and answers about the future of Local Area Planning in Calgary:

The City is taking a proactive and strategic approach to planning for the growth and change occurring throughout our established communities. This approach provides a more comprehensive and consistent way of creating local area plans. Two main changes are:

  1. Multi-community local growth planning

Our daily experiences are not confined to our immediate community. We have shared connections and catchments (such as local businesses, transit stations and schools) that naturally join people and communities together. Grouping communities in local area plans create stronger linkages between neighbouring communities and helps us more efficiently plan and invest in shared amenities and infrastructure. A holistic discussion, often including common issues and opportunities, can provide more effective solutions.


2. The Guidebook for Great Communities

  • The Guidebook lays out how to create local area plans and outlines tools used to plan for growth in communities.
  • It provides: a consistent classification system; common policies (such as landscaping, site design, and building design) that apply to all built-out areas of the city; considerations local area plan should account for related to funding and financing of public infrastructure and amenities.
  • It lets local area plans focus on the local context the highlights the issues and opportunities that are unique to a specific geographic area and each community.
  • It does not redesignate land/parcels.

Moving forward, the new approach to multi-community local growth planning will be used across Calgary, including Bridgeland.

  • The Bridgeland-Riverside Area Redevelopment Plan process (2017-2019) has concluded and will be transitioning to the new multi-community local growth planning approach that will work in alignment with the new Guidebook for Great Communities.
  • The information and input collected and work completed through the process to date (2017-2019) will be used to inform future local area planning in the area.
  • Past planning work, such as the East Riverside Master Plan, the Main Streets – 1 Avenue N.E. Streetscape Master Plan, approved sites on The City’s Inventory of Evaluated Historic Resources, and the sites designated with Character Homes Retention incentive program, will continue to inform the vision and policies in multi-community local area planning.
  • Multi-community local area plans can create specific policies that addresses unique features and characteristics (such as the escarpments) of each community within the wider plan area. Policies drafted based on local context and concerns in Bridgeland can be incorporated into a future multi-community local area plan.
  • Specific timing and next steps for a multi-community plan that includes Bridgeland have not been determined. Updated information will be provided when available.

Although each community has unique features, there are shared connections, catchments (such as local businesses, transit stations and schools) and physical boundaries (such as major roads, rivers, and natural areas) that naturally join and separate us.

  • Multi-community local area plan boundaries are primarily established by using large roads or geographical features. Plans will include communities of varying ages, with diverse characteristics, and there will be a mix of different types of uses.
  • A general map of boundaries has been established, however adjustments may be made during the planning process as discussions are initiated with key stakeholders including the public.

Planning for communities is not a finite process. As communities constantly evolve and grow, we also need to adapt to needs and trends with new policies and processes. The new multi-community local growth planning approach and The Guidebook are the first steps in the new planning system. Additional current and ongoing initiatives that relate to local growth planning include:

New Land Use Bylaw Districts that align with The Guidebook’s classification system.

  • The first step is a new district for low-density residential housing forms, such as single-detached, semi-detached, and rowhouses. This work is anticipated to begin in Spring 2020.
  • Administration is recommending a city-wide approach for this district.
  • Local area plans do not change the land use district on a specific parcel of land or the process to change it. All land use applications go through the standard Public Hearing process and Council decision.

Tools to fund amenities and infrastructure:

  • Tools are being assessed as part of ‘The Established Areas Growth and Change Strategy’.
  • Tools such as ‘density bonusing’ (attaching a fee for increased density) are being reviewed and will be presented to Council for consideration. Funding tools, once established, will be incorporated into The Guidebook and be applied through local area plans.

Tools to preserve heritage assets:

  • City-wide tools and policy to preserve heritage assets are being reviewed and will be presented to Council for consideration. Heritage tools, once established, will be incorporated into The Guidebook and be applied through local area plans.
  • Until approval, existing heritage policies and tools remain the same. Applications impacting sites of potential heritage value are assessed by The City’s Heritage Planning team.
  • New multi-community local growth planning areas are prioritized on an annual basis and within The City's ability to resource.
  • It is not necessary to wait for the other city-wide planning initiatives to be complete before moving ahead with local growth planning. Until a new multi-community local area plan is complete, the current system will remain, and development decisions related to planning applications will follow the existing approved policies.
  • The local growth planning process does not change the development approval process or redesignate the land use on specific parcels.
  • A new multi-community local area plan will set out the community’s vision for the evolution of the area by identifying ideal places for growth, give direction on local context and unique features, and outline what investment is needed to support and balance new and existing needs.
  • For more information on multi-community local area planning and local area plans visit www.calgary.ca/LAP

ABOUT THE PROJECT

The City of Calgary has been in the process of creating a new Area Redevelopment Plan for Bridgeland-Riverside since 2017. The original Bridgeland-Riverside Area Redevelopment Plan (ARP) was adopted by Council in 1980 and is out of date in terms of policy and direction. The new ARP will establish a vision for the area and guide future redevelopment. The Bridgeland-Riverside ARP will address future redevelopment types (e.g. residential, commercial), pedestrian and cycling connections, transportation and parking, open spaces, building heights and densities, and design.

In 2018, The City shared a draft of the Bridgeland-Riverside Area Redevelopment Plan. Since then the proposed Guidebook for Great Communities has been created. The Guidebook is a higher-level policy document at The City that outlines a framework for how local area plans, like the Bridgeland-Riverside ARP are created. The Guidebook and the local area plan are intended to work in tandem to guide future growth and redevelopment in a community.

The City has taken the draft area redevelopment plan that was shared in 2018 and translated it into the framework outlined in the Guidebook.

Information on the updated draft is provided in the tabs below.


PLAN AREA MAPS

EAST RIVERSIDE MASTER PLAN


In 2016, The City began working with Bridgeland-Riverside Community Association and area landowners to create a Master Plan for the East Riverside area. The Master Plan, which covers the area of land south of Centre Avenue N.E. and east of 9 Street N.E., sets out a vision for the East Riverside area and principles to achieve this vision. As The City begins work on a new Area Redevelopment Plan for Bridgeland-Riverside, the content of the Master Plan will be used and incorporated into the new Area Redevelopment Plan where possible.



WHAT?

What is a Local Area Plan?

A local area plan identifies and guides where and how future growth and development should happen within a specific area. It is a statutory document that will be adopted by Council.

A local area plan includes these components:

  • VISUALIZING GROWTH - What type of growth makes sense where? (vision & maps)
  • ENABLING GROWTH - What local/custom direction is needed to realize great redevelopments in this area? (development policies)
  • SUPPORTING GROWTH - If growth occurs, what physical and social investments are needed? (future infrastructure & amenity goals)

A new local area plan will fill gaps in communities where no local plan currently exists and will replace other plans that are largely outdated.

What guides growth and redevelopment?

Local area plans are one of many strategic tools in our planning system that work together to create great communities for everyone. The tools in our planning system are used to achieve desired outcomes as planning moves from vision to outcome.

WHY?

Why is a Local Area Plan needed?

Local area plans provide guidance and direction as communities reach their natural redevelopment lifecycle stage and outline how communities can continue to evolve to meet people’s needs and remain places that people love and want to live.

THE LIFE CYCLE OF A NEIGHBOURHOOD

A big part of a community’s life cycle is redevelopment, which often begins when communities reach a certain age and homes, buildings and amenities need to be refreshed and revitalized or renewed and replaced.

COMMUNITIES MUST EVOLVE TO MEET PEOPLE’S CHANGING NEEDS AND PREFERENCES

People’s needs and preferences have changed over the past 50 years and they will continue to change over the next 50 years.

Census data shows that, today, proportionally fewer households are composed of a ‘two parent and kids’ family and more people are living alone, as part of a couple without children, or as part of a multigenerational family. One-person households accounted for 28.2% of all households in 2016, the highest share since 1867.

Nationally, one-person households became the most common type of household for the first time in 2016, surpassing couples with children, which were down from 31.5% of all households in 2001 to 26.5% in 2016. In comparison, the percentage of one-person households was 25.7% in 2001. Since 1951, the percentage of households comprised of just one person increased steadily, from 7.4% to 28.2% in 2016.

The changing household composition will affect the demand for different types of housing forms, especially as housing affordability becomes an issue.

WHERE?

Where is growth and redevelopment encouraged?

Growth and redevelopment in established neighbourhoods helps ensure population levels can be maintained. A key ingredient of thriving communities with vibrant local shops, amenities and schools is having the local population needed to support them.

Calgary’s Municipal Development Plan encourages future population and job growth in specific areas of the city. These areas include Activity Centres, Main Streets, and Transit-Oriented Development areas which are intended to support higher density development, more diverse forms of housing, retail and commercial services, public and essential services, as well as amenities. These areas are also characterized by frequent and high-quality light rail and/or bus transit service.

To the meet the goals and objectives of the Municipal Development Plan and to maximize opportunities for people to choose to live and work in the established areas, growth must also occur outside of these specific areas, within our communities. This allows for a greater range of housing types to suit all ages, lifestyles and housing needs in a way that contributes to communities evolving overtime

The draft plan focuses the highest intensity of future growth in and around the area’s Main Streets, the LRT station area, and activity centres.

TRANSIT ORIENTED DEVELOPMENT
Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) areas are generally defined by a 600 metre radius around a transit station which represents an approximately 5-8 minute walking distance.

MAIN STREETS
Main Streets are great places to live, work or visit because a range of amenities, shops, restaurants are accessible in one stretch via a range of transportation options.

NEIGHBOURHOOD ACTIVITY CENTRES
Neighbourhood Activity Centres (NACs) are often located in the middle of a residential area and provide locals with access to local shops and amenities, often within walking distance.

ESTABLISHED AREAS
Redevelopment in these areas is a gradual process that occurs over a number of years and is guided not only by planning policy but also by market demand and people’s changing lifestyle preference and housing needs.


HOW?

How is a local area plan implemented?

Private building / investment
It is largely individual landowners and property owners who help implement the plan if/when they decide to build something new on their parcel.

When land owners decide to build something new, they will have to submit an application to the city for consideration.

Through the application review process, any infrastructure required to support the individual project (such as utility connections and sidewalk repair/replacement) is identified and paid for the developer. The local area plan will guide the review of future applications.

Public building / investment
Established areas continuously change and evolve. This change in communities, including changes in job and population levels, impacts the desired and required provision of publicly funded amenities and programs.

  • Project are generally considered and prioritized by City Administration and Council through The City’s business plans and budgets.
  • Citizen direction on needs and desires informs City of Calgary evaluations of required public infrastructure investment.

Through our public engagement process, public investment goals for the area as well as specific associated implementation actions have been identified. City service lines will use the identified implementations actions as input to inform future budget requests.

How was this local area plan created?

The City works together with local residents, landowners, businesses, builders/developers and other interested stakeholders – creating a plan through an iterative approach.

The City has been active in the Bridgeland-Riverside area since Fall/Winter 2017 and has completed two previous phases of engagement to inform the draft plan that was shared in 2018. Since that time, the draft plan has been translated into the framework identified in the proposed Guidebook for Great Communities.

We are now looking to engage with the community on this updated draft.

What have we heard from the community so far, and how was that considered in the draft plan?

Please refer to the 'Previous Engagement" tabs below.

Phase 1 2017 through to Phase 4, Winter 2020

WHEN?

Project Next Steps

Following the close of phase three on December 8, The City will create a What We Heard report and feedback will be reviewed and considered by The City.

Updates to aspects of the plan that we are currently engaging on will be considered and incorporated, where possible, in future iterations of a draft plan for the area. Next steps for the Bridgeland-Riverside plan are to be determined.


PREVIOUS ENGAGEMENTS

PAST PROJECT INPUT

The City has been engaging with the community of Bridgeland-Riverside since Fall 2017 to inform the creation of a new area redevelopment plan.

In the first phase of engagement, in Winter 2017, The City collected input to inform draft character area statements, a vision for the area, and draft land use concept and specific policy statements.

To review the What We Heard Report from Phase One, please click here.

In our second phase of engagement, in Spring 2018, The City shared draft land use concept, the character area statements, vision for the area and a draft version of the policy. The City collected input from the community to help confirm work in Phase One and get insight into further policy development.

To review the What We Heard Report from Phase Two, please click here.

In Phase 3 of engagement, in Winter 2019, we shared parts of the draft plan and were looking to gather feedback on those. These parts of the draft local area plan have been informed by the framework outlined in the proposed Guidebook for Great Communities. The local area plan and the Guidebook have been created to work in tandem and together they will guide future growth and redevelopment.

To review the What We Heard Report from Phase Three, please click here.

Please click through the tabs to see an overview of past engagement and what has been asked.

To stay up-to-date on this project and learn about future opportunities, please sign-up to receive email updates here.



PHASE 3 EVALUATE

THE DRAFT

Key aspects of the draft plan that we are looking for input on at this stage are shared below.

These aspects of the draft local area plan has been informed by the framework outlined in the proposed Guidebook for Great Communities. The local area plan and the Guidebook have been created to work in tandem together to guide future growth and redevelopment.

The Guidebook also includes a number of development policies in chapter three, these policies will apply to the Bridgeland-Riverside area and are not meant to be duplicated or repeated in the local area plan.

Please ensure you click through the each of the tabs here for further break out of the draft plan content. The URBAN FORM & SCALE tabs are helpful for interpretation of the mapping categories used in the draft.


In Phase 3 [EVALUATE] we are sharing aspects of the draft plan and looking to gather feedback. Engagement is open from November 25 through December 8.The input collected through this phase of engagement will be captured in a What We Heard report and will be reviewed and considered by The City.

The updated draft Bridgeland-Riverside plan is informed by the proposed Guidebook for Great Communities. To learn more about the Guidebook, please click here.

Please review the information below and share your thoughts online or attend the in-person event. Check out the event details listed in the side-bar for more information.

To review the information panels from the in-person session, please click here (1 of 2) and click here (2 of 2). Content from the information panels has also been broken out in the tabs below.

VISION & CORE IDEAS

Bridgeland-Riverside’s Vision

Bridgeland-Riverside will be a vibrant urban neighbourhood that will continue to build on its rich history and neighbourhood character with high quality pedestrian-oriented development. As the community evolves, Bridgeland-Riverside will continue to accommodate a mixed population, and will enhance its public amenities, transportation connections, housing diversity, and vibrant main streets.

Core Ideas

The core ideas are the overarching pillars that will set the high-level objectives within the Plan.

Bridgeland-Riverside is a distinct inner-city community and will:

  • integrate new development into the community that is compatible with the existing development and contributes to the ‘community character’;
  • support transit oriented development through strategic intensification of the land in close proximity to the Bridgeland-Memorial Station;
  • create vibrant main streets and pedestrian-oriented spaces and promote a mix of commercial and residential uses to support local businesses and activate public spaces;
  • preserve and enhance existing community amenities and local historical resources and improve park spaces to be more functional for all-age groups; and
  • improve street safety for pedestrians and cyclists of all-ages and abilities through the provision of enhanced connections and designs for residents and visitors travelling within and outside the community.

URBAN FORM

Urban Form Map

Urban Form Definitions

The gallery and text below provides a high-level definition for the different urban form classifications. For more detail on these you can refer to pages 20 – 77 of the Guidebook for Great Communities.

Purposes identify the most common function, current and future, of an area and are organized under four primary categories: Neighbourhood, Parks and Open Space, Industrial and Regional Campus. These are based on broad categories of activities that are compatible and complementary.

General functions sub-categorize the purpose of an area in a community, and focus on the dominant type of activity that people would experience at the ground floor of a building from the public realm. For example in the Neighbourhood purpose there are two primary functions; commercial and housing.

Activity level references the anticipated activity generated by people in an area. In neighbourhood areas, this activity is generated by people moving in-and-out of buildings and interacting along the street. The street and buildings should be designed to enhance the at-grade experience in a manner that appropriately responds to the activity level. For parks and open space, activity level references the anticipated activity generated by people accessing and using the park, open space or facilities. The amenities and management of a park or open space should reflect the level of activity—either by providing appropriately scaled facilities and programming or managing the volume of users. There are three activity levels defined in the urban form classification system: major; minor; and local. Activity levels only apply to the urban form categories of Neighbourhood Commercial, Neighbourhood Housing and Civic and Recreation, and are expressed in relation to one another within a community rather than in absolute terms.

Policy modifiers are optional policy components that are used to tailor an urban form category to address specific situations in communities.

BUILDING SCALE

SCALE MODIFIERS

Scale refers to the combination of height and massing of a structure. Scale modifiers are applied to urban form categories to indicate the general scale and anticipated human experience at the street level. The scales are grouped by compatible built forms with similar design standards to manage the experience of height and massing for people at the street level.

Three modifiers (limited, low and mid) have been used in the Bridgeland-Riverside scale map. When we applied scale, we considered the future anticipated activity level of an area to ensure that the scale will support enough intensity to make the anticipated activity level viable.

In general, many people are needed to support a retail area so larger scale buildings near high-activity areas will help to support their success, while an overly restricted building scale will reduce their viability. A variety of scales have been applied across the communities to provide opportunity and choice and contribute to the diversity of Bridgeland-Riverside.


BUILDING SCALE MAP

SCALE MODIFIER DEFINITIONS

Limited Scale

  • Buildings of three storeys or less.
  • Typically smaller individual building footprints.
  • Activity is ground oriented (units mostly have ground floor entrances or direct access).
Low Scale

  • Buildings of six storeys or less.
  • Usually buildings with stacked units and shared entries, often with a larger building footprint.
Mid Scale

  • Buildings of twelve storeys or less.
  • Buildings typically step back after the street wall height.
  • Usually larger buildings with shared entries and elevators that are mostly located on larger sites.
High Scale

  • Buildings of twenty-six storeys or less.
  • Typically tower and podium or point tower forms

Refer to the gallery below for further examples of scale.

GROWTH OBJECTIVES

Supporting Growth Goals, Objectives, and Implementation Options.

Through the local area plan, we look to identify what physical and social investments are needed to support the growth vision.

The below chart illustrates growth objectives and a list of supporting implementations options identified to support the objective.

What is a supporting growth objective? To support the vision set out in the draft, we have included supporting growth objectives to identify where and how growth can be supported at the local level. The objectives represent the future or desired result that the Plan commits to achieve. They apply at the community-wide level (i.e. they’re not site specific) and provide benefit to more than one resident. The objectives are long-term, durable and are intended to be actionable.

What is an implementation option? Implementation options have been identified by stakeholders through public engagement conducted during the drafting of this Plan. These options represent steps community stakeholders identified to achieve the support growth objectives of the Plan. The list below represents a snap shot in time based on feedback collected to date. It is expected that the list will be updated based on further engagement as part this project as well as projects in the future. In addition, this list will be updated as options are implemented and additional options are identified. The items listed here will be used by City Service Lines and other departments as inputs and consideration into future budget decisions. The local area plan will not implement these options but the list will be used to inform future budget allocations.

Bridgeland-Riverside Supporting Growth Objective

Implementation Options

Celebrate, care for, and, where appropriate protect, the heritage assets in the community

  • Preserve and celebrate Vacant Lot Garden, de Wall Block, Riverside Bungalow School, former Calgary General Hospital (Murdoch Park), and other heritage sites
  • Explore interpretive projects to tell the significant stories of the community

Recognize and support community identity and character through investment in public and private space including such things as community beautification, signage, wayfinding, and public art

  • Explore and realize opportunities for public art/ beautification programs in public space or as part of private development such as near LRT station
  • Explore feasibility of adding gateway entrance signage near Edmonton Trail NE and Memorial Drive NE
  • Explore feasibility of adding gateway entrance signage near 9 Street NE and Memorial Drive NE
  • Improve the prominent corner intersections and make developments more inviting (i.e. corner of Edmonton Trail and 1 Avenue NE, 4 Street and 1 Avenue NE)
  • Improve the existing fence interface along Memorial Drive NE (East and West Riverside)

Improve and enhance existing community association buildings and related facilities within the community

  • Explore expansion to the existing Bridgeland-Riverside Community Association building
  • Explore outdoor skating rink (hockey size), community pool to BRCA
  • Preserve and enhance the existing schools (i.e. Riverside Bungalow School, Christine Meikle School) to be used for other community recreational facilities or public programs
  • Explore adding recreation centre with combined facilities at the BRCA

Improve safety and comfort in existing parks and, where feasible, support a broader range of complementary uses that cater to diverse groups of users.

  • Provide missing pathway connection, way finding signage, lighting, seating at various viewpoints (i.e. Downtown) along the Escarpments and other parts of the community
  • Improve pathway connection at Tyndale Park
  • Improve amenities to General Avenue Plaza (i.e. patio lighting, patio seating, expand pedestrian patio space)
  • Explore feasibility of adding amenities to Murdoch Park including outdoor Skating rink (hockey size), water fountains, outdoor fitness equipment
  • Provide additional trees, benches, bathrooms in various Parks Bridgeland-Riverside
  • Improve the park (unnamed) at 5 Ave NE & 4 street NE
  • Improve the existing sidewalk conditions along Memorial Drive NE to make it safer to use for seniors and all users (in East Riverside)
  • Incorporate fitness and mobility friendly elements encourage all age group (including seniors) and all mobility to McDougall Park (also known as Riverside park)
  • Improve Colonel Baker Park (adjacent to Bishop O'Byrne Housing site in East Riverside)
  • Improve missing connection to the existing pathway system to enhance accessibility and travel within the community.

Improve the quality of the pedestrian realm along Main Streets, station areas, and activity centres

  • Provide amenity space for people to gather outside: along the Main Streets (1 Avenue NE, Edmonton Trail NE, 4 Street NE), and streets with higher pedestrian activities as it relates to the draft Plan vision in the future (9 Street NE, McDougall Road, Bow Valley Drive NE, 12 Street NE).
  • Improve public realm south of the LRT station (lighting, visibility, safety, accessibility, mobility)
  • Improve connectivity, and accessibility from the southside of the LRT overpass to St Patrick Island Park (i.e. explore Pedestrian/Cyclist bridge extension)
  • Continue to improve the quality of pedestrian realm on the Mainstreets (1 Avenue, Edmonton Trail, 4 Street NE via the Streetscape Master Plan) - add more lighting, outdoor seating areas, patios
  • Continue to improve the 4 Avenue NE Flyover park
  • Explore relocating power lines to be underground to improve the street interface with higher pedestrian activities (i.e. Main Streets)

Improve pedestrian connections and complete missing links between Main Streets, station areas, activity centres, parks and natural areas

  • Improve missing pedestrian connection along Bow Valley Drive NE from Bridgeland-Memorial LRT station to 12 Street NE (East Riverside area)
  • Improve pedestrian connections between Bridgeland and Renfrew
  • Improve missing pedestrian connection along Memorial Drive NE between 7a Street NE to 9 Street NE
  • Improve missing connection along Thomson Avenue NE to connect Tyndale park to Tom Campbell's Hill Park
  • Improve missing sidewalk along both sides of 10 Street NE between 5 Avenue NE and 8 Avenue NE (also including Drury Avenue NE and Jamieson Avenue NE)
  • Improve missing north-south pedestrian connection between Centre Avenue and McDougall Rd NE
  • Improve missing connection along the south side of 5 Avenue NE
  • Improve missing pathway connections along the Escarpments
  • Improve missing pedestrian connection from Centre Avenue NE to Tom Campbell's Hill Natural Park

Explore opportunities for additional on-street parking along Main Streets

  • Explore feasibility of adding angle parking to 9 Street NE to accommodate more short-term parking
  • Explore feasibility of adding angle parking to 1 Avenue NE to accommodate more short-term parking
  • Explore future public / private parking strategy with short and long-term parking accommodation to manage higher commercial activities to areas near main street and key commercial areas

Improve transit connections inside and outside of the community

  • Provide safe and direct transit route to improve accessibility and connectivity between nearby communities such as Renfrew, Crescent Heights, Hillhurst-Sunnyside, Inglewood-Ramsay, Downtown

Improve safety, connectivity, and accessibility for all modes of Transportation

  • Improve street crossing at various intersections along 1 Avenue NE - at 10 Street NE, 9 Street NE, 6a Street NE, Edmonton Trail NE, 4 Street NE (i.e. Crosswalk lights, improved street pavers for crosswalk, painted crosswalk, traffic calming)
  • Improve street crossing at various intersections along 4 Street NE - at 2 Avenue NE, Meredith Rd NE
  • Improve street crossing at various intersections along Edmonton Trail NE - at Marsh Rd NE, Meredith Rd NE, Memorial Drive NE
  • Improve street crossing at various intersections along McDougall Rd - at 6 Street, 9 Street NE, 12 Street NE. Especially many seniors in this location.
  • Improve street crossing at various intersections along 9 Street NE - at McPherson Rd NE, Centre Ave NE
  • Improve street crossing at various intersections along 10 Street NE - at 2 Avenue NE, Jamieson Ave NE
  • Improve street crossing at various intersections along 12 Street NE - at Centre Avenue NE, McDougall Rd NE
  • Improve street crossing at various intersections along 6a street NE - at 2 Avenue and 4 Avenue NE
  • Improve street crossing at various intersections along Memorial Drive/ along 12 Street NE (in East Riverside)
  • Improve wayfinding signage for pedestrian and cyclist to identify destinations within the community and beyond
  • Improve existing laneways conditions to make it safer for pedestrian and improve laneway conditions for laneway housing (i.e. behind Bridgeland Place, behind Main Streets)
  • Improve traffic calming along the residential local streets such as 4 Avenue NE, 12 Street and McDougall Rd NE, 9 Street NE, 6a and 4 Avenue NE

Expand the cycle network across the plan area, provide improved connections and complete missing links between Main Streets, station areas, activity centres, parks, and natural areas.

  • Explore feasibility of adding bike lane infrastructure along 12 Street NE and along McDougall Road NE (connecting to the existing bike network to Murdoch Park)
  • Upgrade pedestrian and cyclist infrastructure along 1 Avenue NE, 2 Avenue NE/or/ 4 Avenue NE (as required by livable street/ 1 Avenue Streetscape Master Plan project)
  • Improve cyclist connection along 9 street from LRT station to 1 avenue Main Street. Add bike lane along 9 Street NE connecting to 1 Avenue NE
  • Improve the existing cyclist connection along Edmonton Trail NE to better serve the cyclist travelling between adjacent communities (i.e. Renfrew)
  • Improve the north-south cyclist connection to enhance accommodate cyclists travelling up/down the Escarpment
  • Improve missing east-west cyclist connection along Bow Valley Drive NE from Bridgeland-Memorial LRT station to 12 Street NE (East Riverside area)

Support and expand the tree canopy throughout the plan area

  • Include new trees along the Main Streets with cycling infrastructure improvements
  • Retention and replacement of the tree canopy, such as heritage boulevards (along 8 Street NE)
  • Provide tree replacement issues and better pruned and care for such as trees along Meredith Rd NE (south of De Waal block building)

PROVIDE YOUR INPUT

We want to hear your thoughts on key components the draft plan! Please click through the tabs below to share your thoughts on the maps and implementation options. This will be open for comments until December 8.

DRAFT MAPS

Map 1: Urban Form

Map 1: Urban Form identifies and categorizes the purpose, general function and activity levels of different parts of a community. These categories are focused on the street experience and not related to building scale. The map demonstrates how the different areas of a community relate to and support each other.

The urban form map is in the gallery below for further review and background on the urban form classification system has been provided above to aid your interpretation. After you have reviewed the draft urban form map, please provide your comments below. Review the image of the Urban Form Map below or review and zoom in on the PDF here.

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Map 2: Building Scale

Scale refers to the combination of height and massing of a structure. The scale map identifies the general scale and anticipated human experience at the street level. Scale has been applied to ensure enough intensity to make the future anticipated activity level viable.

It is important to note that the land use bylaw will supplement building scale modifiers by more specifically regulating height, floor area ratios and transition.

The building scale map is provided in the gallery below or you can review and zoom in on the PDF here. Background on the scale modifiers have been included in the tabs above and will aid your interpretation of the scale categories.

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IMPLEMENTATION OPTIONS

Further background on this section has been provided under the tab above "SUPPORTING GROWTH OBJECTIVES".

Please review the above information and provide your answers to the list of questions below.

Growth Objective:

Celebrate, care for, and, where appropriate protect, the heritage assets in the community

Implementation Options:

  • Preserve and celebrate Vacant Lot Garden, de Wall Block, Riverside Bungalow School, former Calgary General Hospital (Murdoch Park), and other heritage sites
  • Explore interpretive projects to tell the significant stories of the community
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Growth Objective:

Recognize and support community identity and character through investment in public and private space including such things as community beautification, signage, wayfinding, and public art

Implementation Options:

  • Explore and realize opportunities for public art/ beautification programs in public space or as part of private development such as near LRT station
  • Explore feasibility of adding gateway entrance signage near Edmonton Trail NE and Memorial Drive NE
  • Explore feasibility of adding gateway entrance signage near 9 Street NE and Memorial Drive NE
  • Improve the prominent corner intersections and make developments more inviting (i.e. corner of Edmonton Trail and 1 Avenue NE, 4 Street and 1 Avenue NE)
  • Improve the existing fence interface along Memorial Drive NE (East and West Riverside)
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Growth Objective:

Improve and enhance existing community association buildings and related facilities within the community

Implementation Options:

  • Explore expansion to the existing Bridgeland-Riverside Community Association (BRCA) building
  • Explore outdoor skating rink (hockey size), community pool to BRCA
  • Preserve and enhance the existing schools (i.e. Riverside Bungalow School, Christine Meikle School) to be used for other community recreational facilities or public programs
  • Explore adding recreation centre with combined facilities at the BRCA
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Growth Objective:

Improve safety and comfort in existing parks and, where feasible, support a broader range of complementary uses that cater to diverse groups of users.

Implementation Options:

  • Provide missing pathway connection, way finding signage, lighting, seating at various viewpoints (i.e. Downtown) along the Escarpments and other parts of the community
  • Improve pathway connection at Tyndale Park
  • Improve amenities to General Avenue Plaza (i.e. patio lighting, patio seating, expand pedestrian patio space)
  • Explore feasibility of adding amenities to Murdoch Park including outdoor Skating rink (hockey size), water fountains, outdoor fitness equipment
  • Provide additional trees, benches, bathrooms in various Parks Bridgeland-Riverside
  • Improve the park (unnamed) at 5 Ave NE & 4 street NE
  • Improve the existing sidewalk conditions along Memorial Drive NE to make it safer to use for seniors and all users (in East Riverside)
  • Incorporate fitness and mobility friendly elements encourage all age group (including seniors) and all mobility to McDougall Park (also known as Riverside park)
  • Improve Colonel Baker Park (adjacent to Bishop O'Byrne Housing site in East Riverside)
  • Improve missing connection to the existing pathway system to enhance accessibility and travel within the community.
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Growth Objective:

Improve the quality of the pedestrian realm along Main Streets, station areas, and activity centres

Implementation Options:

  • Provide amenity space for people to gather outside: along the Main Streets (1 Avenue NE, Edmonton Trail NE, 4 Street NE), and streets with higher pedestrian activities as it relates to the draft Plan vision in the future (9 Street NE, McDougall Road, Bow Valley Drive NE, 12 Street NE).
  • Improve public realm south of the LRT station (lighting, visibility, safety, accessibility, mobility)
  • Improve connectivity, and accessibility from the southside of the LRT overpass to St Patrick Island Park (i.e. explore Pedestrian/Cyclist bridge extension)
  • Continue to improve the quality of pedestrian realm on the Mainstreets (1 Avenue, Edmonton Trail, 4 Street NE via the Streetscape Master Plan) - add more lighting, outdoor seating areas, patios
  • Continue to improve the 4 Avenue NE Flyover park
  • Explore relocating power lines to be underground to improve the street interface with higher pedestrian activities (i.e. Main Streets)
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Growth Objective:

Improve pedestrian connections and complete missing links between Main Streets, station areas, activity centres, parks and natural areas

Implementation Options:

  • Improve missing pedestrian connection along Bow Valley Drive NE from Bridgeland-Memorial LRT station to 12 Street NE (East Riverside area)
  • Improve pedestrian connections between Bridgeland and Renfrew
  • Improve missing pedestrian connection along Memorial Drive NE between 7a Street NE to 9 Street NE
  • Improve missing connection along Thomson Avenue NE to connect Tyndale park to Tom Campbell's Hill Park
  • Improve missing sidewalk along both sides of 10 Street NE between 5 Avenue NE and 8 Avenue NE (also including Drury Avenue NE and Jamieson Avenue NE)
  • Improve missing north-south pedestrian connection between Centre Avenue and McDougall Rd NE
  • Improve missing connection along the south side of 5 Avenue NE
  • Improve missing pathway connections along the Escarpments
  • Improve missing pedestrian connection from Centre Avenue NE to Tom Campbell's Hill Natural Park
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Growth Objective:

Explore opportunities for additional on-street parking along Main Streets

Implementation Options:

  • Explore feasibility of adding angle parking to 9 Street NE to accommodate more short-term parking
  • Explore feasibility of adding angle parking to 1 Avenue NE to accommodate more short-term parking
  • Explore future public / private parking strategy with short and long-term parking accommodation to manage higher commercial activities to areas near main street and key commercial areas
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Growth Objective:

Improve transit connections inside and outside of the community

Implementation Option:

  • Provide safe and direct transit route to improve accessibility and connectivity between nearby communities such as Renfrew, Crescent Heights, Hillhurst-Sunnyside, Inglewood-Ramsay, Downtown
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Growth Objective:

Improve safety, connectivity, and accessibility for all modes of Transportation

Implementation Options:

  • Improve street crossing at various intersections along 1 Avenue NE - at 10 Street NE, 9 Street NE, 6a Street NE, Edmonton Trail NE, 4 Street NE (i.e. Crosswalk lights, improved street pavers for crosswalk, painted crosswalk, traffic calming)
  • Improve street crossing at various intersections along 4 Street NE - at 2 Avenue NE, Meredith Rd NE
  • Improve street crossing at various intersections along Edmonton Trail NE - at Marsh Rd NE, Meredith Rd NE, Memorial Drive NE
  • Improve street crossing at various intersections along McDougall Rd - at 6 Street, 9 Street NE, 12 Street NE. Especially many seniors in this location.
  • Improve street crossing at various intersections along 9 Street NE - at McPherson Rd NE, Centre Ave NE
  • Improve street crossing at various intersections along 10 Street NE - at 2 Avenue NE, Jamieson Ave NE
  • Improve street crossing at various intersections along 12 Street NE - at Centre Avenue NE, McDougall Rd NE
  • Improve street crossing at various intersections along 6a street NE - at 2 Avenue and 4 Avenue NE
  • Improve street crossing at various intersections along Memorial Drive/ along 12 Street NE (in East Riverside)
  • Improve wayfinding signage for pedestrian and cyclist to identify destinations within the community and beyond
  • Improve existing laneways conditions to make it safer for pedestrian and improve laneway conditions for laneway housing (i.e. behind Bridgeland Place, behind Main Streets)
  • Improve traffic calming along the residential local streets such as 4 Avenue NE, 12 Street and McDougall Rd NE, 9 Street NE, 6a and 4 Avenue NE
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Growth Objective:

Expand the cycle network across the plan area, provide improved connections and complete missing links between Main Streets, station areas, activity centres, parks, and natural areas.

Implementation Options:

  • Explore feasibility of adding bike lane infrastructure along 12 Street NE and along McDougall Road NE (connecting to the existing bike network to Murdoch Park)
  • Upgrade pedestrian and cyclist infrastructure along 1 Avenue NE, 2 Avenue NE/or/ 4 Avenue NE (as required by livable street/ 1 Avenue Streetscape Master Plan project)
  • Improve cyclist connection along 9 street from LRT station to 1 avenue Main Street. Add bike lane along 9 Street NE connecting to 1 Avenue NE
  • Improve the existing cyclist connection along Edmonton Trail NE to better serve the cyclist travelling between adjacent communities (i.e. Renfrew)
  • Improve the north-south cyclist connection to enhance accommodate cyclists travelling up/down the Escarpment
  • Improve missing east-west cyclist connection along Bow Valley Drive NE from Bridgeland-Memorial LRT station to 12 Street NE (East Riverside area)
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Growth Objective:

Support and expand the tree canopy throughout the plan area.

Implementation Options:

  • Include new trees along the Main Streets with cycling infrastructure improvements
  • Retention and replacement of the tree canopy, such as heritage boulevards (along 8 Street NE)
  • Provide tree replacement issues and better pruned and care for such as trees along Meredith Rd NE (south of De Waal block building)
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PHASE 2B ENGAGEMENT

VISION and CORE IDEAS

The vision and core ideas for Bridgeland-Riverside were developed from feedback gathered at our October 2017 open house and through discussions with the Community Advisory Group, which is comprised of local residents and business owners. This vision and core ideas was shared at the April 30 open house for feedback for comments.

The vision and core ideas of the plan are as follows:

Bridgeland-Riverside’s Vision:

A vibrant urban neighbourhood with rich history and character that can be seen in its buildings’ architecture, street grid patterns, and spirited sense of place shaped through a diverse mix of residents. Its central location in Calgary provides direct access to the river pathways, parks, the LRT, and downtown. Nestled in the natural escarpment just north of the Bow River, the area has beautiful views and tree lined streets. As it evolves, the community will build on its great public amenities, strong multimodal transportation connections, housing diversity, and vibrant main streets. Bridgeland-Riverside will celebrate its heritage and continue providing a dynamic place for its diverse residents and visitors to live, work, visit and enjoy.

Bridgeland-Riverside is a vibrant, urban community that will continue to celebrate its heritage, and character as it evolves, providing lively places for both diverse residents and visitors to enjoy.

Core Ideas

Bridgeland-Riverside is a distinct inner city community and will:

  • provide a diverse range of housing types to increase overall density in appropriate locations;
  • integrate new development into the evolving community character with that continue to serve the community needs to accommodate all age groups;
  • preserve local history and historical buildings, and support development that complements historic development patterns and architectural features wherever possible.
  • encourage transit-oriented development through guided intensification of the land near the Bridgeland/Memorial LRT Station;
  • support a mix of compatible uses including retail, office, residential, live work units, as well as amenities such as parks, green space, and public spaces; .
  • create vibrant and safe public realm space, along the Urban, Neighbourhood Main Street through buildings and public space design;
  • enhance existing local amenities and prioritize safe pedestrian and cyclist connection network;
  • provide a range of multimodal transportation choices to facilitate efficient movement of all modes of travel;
  • encourage transit and active modes as the preferred transportation option, and strengthening the connections to the Bridgeland Memorial LRT station; and
  • encourage community cohesiveness shaped by a high level of engagement, social programing, and a diverse mix of residents.
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Draft Land Use Concept: Building Blocks

The draft land use concept illustrates the general location and relationship between land use character areas, the transportation network and parks. Land use building blocks found in this land use concept map are based on the character areas established in the Developed Areas Guidebook. The building blocks outline height restrictions and allowable building functions in a specific area.

Please be specific if you have any comments/ concerns about the building blocks location.

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Mobility (Active Connections)

The plan area is served by major road, transit, pedestrian, and cyclist connections. The policies in the ARP are intended to improve existing connections, and make walking, cycling, and transit use more desirable choice in the community. The future connectivity maps identify potential future connectivity and potential future mobility improvement within Bridgeland-Riverside.

Mobility map, cycle and pedestrian.
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Parks and Open Spaces

The parks and open space map identifies existing and proposed parks, open spaces and pathways. The policies in the ARP are intended to maintain and enhance the quality amenities that serve the community’s needs, for the benefit, use and enjoyment of residents of all ages.

Parks and Open Space Map
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The Bowl & The Escarpment

The Bowl: The area has a distinct street pattern of tree-lined blocks with back lanes, offering primarily low-density residential housing, and a combination of historic and infill houses. With a focus on maintaining the historical character, the area will continue to accommodate lower-density residential options as new development is integrated into the existing street pattern.

The Escarpment: Describes the residential area extending up the bluff. The Escarpment has steep topography, with a number of pedestrians and cycle pathways and connections winding up and to adjacent communities. The Escarpment supports slope-adaptive low-density residential housing alongside infill housing.

The following areas (see map) have been identified as potential rowhouse/ townhouse locations within The Escarpment and The Bowl.

row house town house in escarpment and bowl
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Main Street, The Couplet & Edmonton Trail Residential

Main Street: A commercial and social focal point of the community, the area is designated as a Neighbourhood Main Street. Mid-rise development along the Main Street offers a wide range of uses including retail, services, office, institutional, and residential. Public realm improvements will enhance the street to support commercial vitality, greater variety of employment opportunities, transit use, and provide goods and services to local residents.

The Couplet: The western gateway into the community, ‘The Couplet’ offers mixed-use, mid-rise buildings to accommodate a range of retail, services, offices and residential uses. Edmonton Trail and 4 Street NE provide multimodal connections north-south to and through Bridgeland, while a walkable pedestrian environment ensures safe and vibrant street activity.

Edmonton Trail Residential: The area is characterized by multi-residential, small scale commercial buildings and institutional uses. It is expected the area will intensify and increase in density over time, offering unique slope adaptive designed redevelopment.


main street, couplet, and edmonton trail-Bridgeland
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West Riverside, The Bridges & East Riverside

West Riverside: The area offers a mix of residential options - unique character homes, low-rise multi-residential, as well as new infill development and higher density development closer to the Bridges and the LRT. It provides safe local connections for pedestrian, cyclists and vehicles across the south-west side of the community.

The Bridges: One of the key gateways for residents and visitors, The Bridges contains multi-residential developments with main level commercial along key streets and well-connected park amenities. Close to the LRT station, it will accommodate higher density, pedestrian-friendly commercial and transitsupported mixed-use development.

East Riverside: The majority of East Riverside is residential, assisted living and health care institutional-related uses. As the area redevelops a mix of multi-residential options will bring new residents to the area expanding the demographic profile. Mixed-use commercial will be located along key streets and improved connections will allow safe access to amenities. The area closest to the LRT station will accommodate higher density development.

heights and uses in bridges, west and east riverside - Bridgeland
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Active Frontages

Active frontages help activate the street and provide interaction between pedestrians and building uses. Building frontages located along streets where an active frontage is identified should be designed to generate activity, provide natural surveillance, and create an interesting and comfortable environment for pedestrians.

Retail-Required Frontages: Provide active uses at grade, including but not limited to retail, personal services, consumer services, supermarkets and restaurants, and community service uses, including child care.

Retail-Ready Frontages: Ground-floor units should be designed to accommodate both residential and retail uses and will allow residential to retail conversion over time.

active frontages bridgeland
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PHASE 2A ENGAGEMENT

Vision and core ideas

The vision and core ideas provide direction and a foundation for planning within the community.

Vision

“ Bridgeland-Riverside is a vibrant urban neighborhood with rich history and character that can be seen in its building’s architecture, street grid patterns, and spirited sense of place shaped through a diverse mix of residents. Its central location provides access to the river pathways, parks, close access to LRT, and downtown. Nestled in the natural escarpment just north of the Bow River, the area has beautiful views and tree lined streets. As it evolves, the community will build on its great public amenities, strong multimodal transportation connections, housing diversity, and vibrant main streets. Bridgeland-Riverside will celebrate its heritage and continue providing a dynamic place for its diverse residents and visitors to live, work, visit and enjoy.”


Core ideas:

Bridgeland-Riverside is a distinct inner city community that will:


  • ƒ Provide a diverse range of housing types and increase overall density in appropriate locations compatible with each ‘Character Area’ in order to accommodate a broad demographic group, ranging from old to young and singles to families.
  • ƒ Integrate new development into the historic yet evolving community character. Preserve local history and historical buildings, and support development that complements historic development patterns and architectural features wherever possible.
  • ƒ Integrate Transit Oriented Development through guided intensification of the land near the Bridgeland Memorial LRT.
  • ƒ Support commercial and mixed-use development with vibrant and safe public realm space, providing day-through-night activity along the Urban and Neighbourhood Main Street.
  • ƒ Enhance existing local amenities through a comprehensive strategy and new/redevelopment opportunities, as well as prioritize safe and flexible public and open spaces, and a well-connected pathway network.
  • ƒ Provide a range of multimodal transportation choices to facilitate efficient movement of all modes of travel.
  • ƒ Encourage transit and active modes as the preferred transportation option by providing safe and comfortable pedestrian and cyclist routes, and strengthening the connections to the Bridgeland Memorial LRT station.
  • ƒ Encourage community cohesiveness and the continued spirited sense of place shaped by high level of engagement, social programing, and a diverse mix of residents.

The vision and core ideas provide direction and a foundation for planning within the community.

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Character Areas

Character areas are sections of the community grouped together based on unique characteristics and development patterns that require special consideration to meeting planning objectives. There are eight character areas identified within Bridgeland-Riverside.

Character Area Map
Character Area Descriptions

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Land Use Concept: The Building Blocks

Based on the unique features and considerations in the character areas, building blocks for the community have been identified. The building blocks outline height restrictions and allowable building functions, in a specific area. This map is not intended to change the regulations that apply to the existing development, but outlines what land use districts are acceptable for redevelopment in the future.

Land Use Concept
Building Block Definitions

Please be specific if you have any comments/concerns about the "building blocks" in certain areas of Bridgeland/Riverside.

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PHASE 1 ENGAGEMENT

Phase 1 Engagement Summary

Community Advisory Group Meetings (monthly)

  • The group provides local area context and insight to The City in drafting of the ARP.
  • With the help of the Group, eight character areas were identified and shared with the public. These character areas are the foundation that led to the development of the building blocks in the land use concept map.

Public open house (November 20, 2017)

  • 227 comments on what residents love, what areas need improvement and descriptions for character areas.
  • 379 unique visitors to the webpage and 362 comments were received.

Online survey (November 20 – December 5, 2017)

What we heard

  • Bridgeland-Riverside is well-loved for its walkability, good local amenities and close proximity to downtown.
  • Bridgeland-Riverside has unique community character which some described as: fun, friendly, historical, community-minded, eclectic and quirky.
  • Community members desire improvements made to safety with respect to crime reduction and pedestrian infrastructure and lighting.
  • Community members desire public realm improvements to provide safe pedestrian and cycle connections to key areas including along main street and connecting across Edmonton Trail and 4 Street NE, across the escarpment, and to the LRT.
  • Community members desire a larger grocery store in the area and made other specific suggestions for additional retail and commercial.

In Response, The City has created

  • A vision and core ideas
  • Character area descriptions
  • A Land use concept and building blocks map

Please provide your input into vision and core ideas, character area descriptions and land use concepts below.

The first phase of public engagement took place in November and December 2017 through an in-person open house and online survey. Based on this feedback, The City has put together the Phase One: Bridgeland ARP What We Heard Report, which captures all of the feedback we collected. The report includes high-level themes as well as verbatim comments. The report will be used by The City as we work towards updating the Bridgeland ARP.


What we asked:

These information panels were provided for review to inform answers to the questions below.


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Tell us how you would like to receive information and provide feedback on the ARP work going forward. (Check all that apply in both sections).

Communication

Engagement

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Character Areas Exercise

Eight character areas (on nine maps below) have been identified in the Bridgeland-Riverside community.

We are seeking your feedback to see if you generally agree with the boundaries of these areas and to find out what you think the character of each area is, and what should be preserved or changed in the future. This input will guide the development of policies for each of the character areas.

  • The Bridges
  • The Escarpment
  • The Bowl
  • East Riverside
  • Main Street
  • West Riverside
  • Couplet
  • Edmonton Trail Residential (East)
  • Edmonton Trail Residential (West)