INNISFAIL – The town has issued a request for proposals to developers to build a long sought after but controversial commercial strip mall for the west end of town at the intersection of Highway 54 and 42nd Street.
The plan to develop the three-acre parcel of land for commercial use for the benefit and convenience of west-side neighbourhoods and industrial area workers has been a controversial issue with many residents living near the area for more than two years.
There have been past public concerns a commercial development could jeopardize the longstanding peaceful enjoyment of the area, and that a proposed gas station and convenience store would lead to excessive and unwanted noise, smells, health risks and even crime.
“The place will always be, until the decision is made, be controversial. I don't think that is going to change any time soon,” said Coun. Patt Churchill, who publicly noted the controversy over the plan 15 months ago when council approved the construction of a 700-metre berm near the contentious property. “I think it will all depend on what is going to go in there and what the public's reaction is. I would hope the public would wait and see on what the actual proposals are before they get upset.”
Town council approved an administration recommendation at its regular Sept. 11 meeting to sign off on a request for proposal (RFP) for the site, which is now officially known as the West Commercial Development Project. Council was told the value for each of the three acres has been professionally appraised at $250,000.
“The driver for this to be placed on the market is from council as part of their strategic planning. They did identify this as something they wished to do, said Frank Colosimo, the town's director of operational services, who introduced the recommendation to council. “I think council now feels comfortable enough that they can move forward with the commercial site.”
Colosimo confirmed the town is still looking at having a gas bar, convenience or grocery store, as well as a restaurant and commercial space for the site, but conceded this vision is only preliminary.
“Final form should be similar to this but it doesn't have to absolutely conform to it, but we want to set the stage of some basic things we do want for amenities and how the building forms should look,” said Colosimo, noting the proposed businesses would specifically benefit neighbourhoods to the north, including Napoleon Meadows and Madison Park. “We want to make a development that people can drive to but also can walk and bike to.”
Colosimo said the RFP was issued on Sept. 13 and has a timeline of two months, with a condition the winning developer has shovels in the ground within 18 months.
During council discussion on Sept. 11 Churchill wanted to know why the town was sending out an RFP without the completion of a traffic impact study, particularly for the intersection of Highway 54 and 42nd Street.
“I am wondering if we are jumping the gun by putting this out,” said Churchill to council members. Colosimo countered the town would have a better understanding of any traffic concerns from Alberta Transportation by the end of December, and any potential impacts at the intersection would be “minimized.”
In the meantime, both Churchill and Mayor Brian Spiller said they welcomed the initiative to put the property on the market. Churchill said the RFP process is being done at the right time.
“It is a slower process. This is an RFP, not a sign going up saying, ‘For Sale.' This is more thoughtful,” she said. “The town is going to have a lot more say and choice in what goes in there. That is what makes me feel that when it is done it will be done right.”
Spiller said the development is urgently needed for the west side of town and is also “comfortable” with the entire process, including the way the town and council previously dealt with the concerns of nearby residents.
“I don't think we are going to attract a lot of crime but we are not going to eliminate crime altogether,” said Spiller. “I wish we could have done it quicker. I believe that area is underserviced commercially. Our residents have to travel a long way to visit a restaurant or get a gallon of milk or buy the morning newspaper.”
Mayor Brian Spiller
"I wish we could have done it quicker. I believe that area is underserviced commercially. Our residents have to travel a long way to visit a restaurant or get a gallon of milk or buy the morning newspaper."
