Edmonton Council Rezones Century Park for Enhanced Development

Edmonton city council has approved a significant change for the Century Park area, paving the way for enhanced development. This decision comes after nearly two decades of unrealized potential for housing in south Edmonton.

Century Park Development History

Situated near the Capital Line LRT terminus at 111 Street and 23 Avenue, Century Park has long been the subject of various redevelopment proposals. The area was home to the Heritage Mall, which closed in 2001, and efforts to transform the site into a transit-oriented development have largely stalled since then.

The original vision included a 1,200-stall parkade costing $60 million. However, due to rising costs, this plan was abandoned. Instead, the site served as a 1,200-stall park and ride lot, popular with commuters and students, until it was rezoned in 2017.

Recent Developments

In 2017, the city envisioned a high-density, mixed-use urban village for the area. The rezoning efforts were revitalized last week when the Edmonton city council unanimously voted to rezone Century Park to create a more favorable environment for development.

K&H Developments has taken significant steps towards realizing the vision for Century Park. The company now owns the property and has plans to build a residential community with approximately 2,500 housing units.

Future Plans

• Construction of a 250-unit building scheduled to begin in September 2027.
• A second housing complex targeted to break ground in April 2028.
• Full site development expected within the next 8 to 10 years.

K&H Development aims to simplify zoning regulations to reduce construction costs, which have dramatically increased since the COVID-19 pandemic. Craig Haan, company president, believes that reducing the prescriptiveness of the current zoning will lead to more efficient construction methods.

Conclusion

The unanimous decision by city council marks a critical milestone for Century Park. With substantial plans in place, this redevelopment signals a transformative period for Edmonton’s southern corridor.