The municipality brought in city planners to hear ideas for what should happen next in downtown Fort McMurray. Jennifer Keesmaat is a partner with Dialog, an urban design firm, and she says that if we want our downtown to thrive, we have a some work to do.
“You have a ways to go,” she says. “There’re some amazing assets here to build upon, including the natural environment. I think that struck me most when I first came here. When people talk about Fort McMurray, they don’t talk about the breath-taking natural setting that you have.”
The group spoke about making downtown more pedestrian-friendly, and to emphasize an urban core. Keesmaat says that it will take some time, but it can be done.
“There’s going to need to be a transition, because you can’t have it both ways. You can’t have a downtown that’s primarily parking spaces, that’s also a great place to live and walk. There are some decisions that have to be made. You need to increase density in the downtown, in order to support better amenities.”
She says that the obvious way to build amenities downtown, is to attract new people to the area.
“You need more people living downtown, and walking downtown, in order to support better amenities. If you want more restaurants, and more cafes, and great shops, you have to bring the residential population downtown.” Keesmaat adds. “I’m not talking about bringing the suburban population into the downtown, I’m talking about new people coming to the city, [who want] the opportunity to live in an urban environment.”
The municipality launched their City Centre Action Program (CCAP) yesterday evening at the Future Forward Centre, 9717 Franklin Avenue.
Today, from 12-3 p.m., there will be information on display for the public.
Tomorrow from 12-3 p.m., there will be a family-oriented openhouse that will feature a barbecue, games for kids, and the opportunity to talk about the future of downtown. You can take part by dropping by the RMWB Future Forward Place, at 9717 Franklin Avenue, across from the court house.
