Innisfail residents will be able to have their first say in the proposed revitalization of the downtown core during an open house on Thursday evening.
Craig Teal, a planner with Red Deer’s Parkland Community Planning Services (PCPS), said anyone with an interest in the revitalization process should attend. PCPS has been contracted by the town to meet with stakeholders to discuss the redevelopment plan, and the reconstruction of 50th Street between McDonald’s and Fas Gas.
“We’re just starting the process,” Teal said, noting that there are no set parameters for the open house.
Teal said a number of displays would outline the process and include geographical maps of the area, information on the revitalization process, and a number of concepts that need to be covered off during the planning process.
Officials have already established the terms of reference, as well as a steering committee, which is chaired by local business owner David Layden, Teal said, explaining that the committee will act as consultants with local stakeholders, especially the businesses located along 50th Street, who will be impacted by the two-year project, which is scheduled to begin next year.
Layden said the open house would ensure all interested stakeholders, from local businesses to youth and seniors, get to share their vision for the project.
“That’s the key of this, because there’s been a lot of speculation of what will happen with the downtown, and a lot of different plans in people’s minds that could happen,” he said.
Officials plan to create an area redevelopment plan for the downtown core, a streetscape design for the reconstruction of 50 Street, a downtown strategic action plan, and a community revitalization plan and levy.
Layden said the redevelopment plan would focus on what the community thinks the redevelopment should look like.
“Should there be a theme set?” he explained. “The sidewalks, lands, lights – all that type of stuff.”
The streetscape design for 50th Avenue will examine issues such as sidewalk design and realignment of any streets, and also ensure that the changes do not affect businesses or the flow of traffic.
“It’s about moving some streets around, and getting rid of some access points”, Layden said.
The strategic action plan would go “hand-in-hand” with the redevelopment plan, and include the replacement of some water pipes along 50th Street, Layden explained.
“One’s above the street, one’s below the street,” he said.
The community revitalization plan will include the long-term plan of what Innisfail should look like in the future.
“It’s vital with the core committee that we make sure we have everyone’s input at every stage,” he said. “Especially the businesses.”
The open house is from 6-8:30 p.m. on Thursday at the Ol’ Moose Hall, located at 5103-49 St.
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