Edmonton City Council Approves $15 Million for Rossdale River Crossing Project
After a decade of planning and persistent opposition, Edmonton City Council has taken a significant step forward with the controversial River Crossing project in Rossdale Flats. On Wednesday, council voted 10-1 to approve $15 million in funding for Phase 1 of the redevelopment initiative, with only Ward tastawiyiniwak Councillor Karen Principe voting against the measure.
A Decade-Long Development Plan Faces Implementation
The River Crossing project, which has been in development since 2015, aims to transform the Rossdale Flats neighborhood along the North Saskatchewan River. The area, which currently hosts landmarks including RE/MAX Field and the decommissioned Rossdale Power Plant, has remained largely unchanged for decades despite its prime riverfront location.
The approved funding will support underground infrastructure improvements necessary to prepare the area for medium and high-density lot sales to developers. The city plans to recoup a portion of the $15 million investment through these land sales, with the funding itself originating from other municipal redevelopment efforts.
Historical Significance and Indigenous Concerns
Rossdale Flats holds profound historical importance for Edmonton and Alberta. The site represents the original location of Fort Edmonton and served as the founding place for both the city and province. Long before European settlement, the area functioned as a major gathering place for Indigenous peoples and contains historical burial grounds for signatories of Treaties 6, 7, and 8, as well as Métis individuals.
Cree activist Gerald Delorme has expressed serious concerns about disturbing these ancient burial sites during development. In response, the city has committed to having an archaeologist on-site throughout the construction process to guide procedures if human remains are discovered. Ward O-day'min Councillor Anne Stevenson has further requested that administration explore proactive measures to prevent disturbance of graves.
Environmental and Flooding Considerations
The proposed development faces significant environmental challenges, particularly regarding its location within a floodplain. Edmonton River Valley Conservation Coalition chair Kristine Kowalchuk has raised concerns about the planned 'Touch the Water' promenade, which would replace natural river edges with concrete platforms.
"More concrete will just make potential flooding worse," Kowalchuk warned, noting that the area serves as an important wildlife corridor. Historical flooding events underscore these concerns: in 1986, the North Saskatchewan River rose over 12 meters, prompting a city disaster declaration, while the 1915 flood displaced approximately 2,000 people and submerged more than 700 homes.
Project Scope and Community Impact
Should the full redevelopment proceed, the city anticipates accommodating up to 4,000 new residents in 2,600 housing units across the 44-acre site. The plan allocates 13 acres for development, with the remaining space dedicated to public use. Commercial components would include over 65,000 square feet of retail and office space, while the RE/MAX Field parking lot would be removed as part of the transformation.
The Rossdale Power Plant, decommissioned in 2012 and designated as a historical community site, presents preservation challenges amid redevelopment plans. The broader River Crossing project represents a delicate balance between urban growth objectives and respect for environmental and cultural heritage, with city officials proceeding cautiously given the complex considerations involved.
