Centennial Plaza Redevelopment - Preliminary Design

1. I like the idea in general but access for those who can't manage stairs from the east and south at least doesn't appear possible. From the west it is not clear from the drawing.
2. For four season use, a warm social spot (like at the Hawerlak Park outdoor rink) would be helpful.

I really like the design, where is the statue behind(south) the library that used to be there? I hardly ever went behind the library , when it was the old structure. Now that it is all new, the new design for this plaza is lovely,

Love all the green space and openness. I wasn’t clear if u were removing the bandshell, i sure would like it to go. Also how about having a playground. Like a real one.,it would attract more families in the area, and help with couples who live downtown to have a playground. The more green and the more trees the better. Also would it be possible to relove the road between the hotel and library? Just leave the eastern portion of the street to access the hotel parking perhaps. But not making it a drive road so no one drives through which would be safer for kids. At the very least create a way for pedestrians to walk without having to cross the street. Maybe plant trees in the middle. That connectivity piece would even help hotel guests to take advantage of the park.

I like the proposed idea and also agree that lighting under the benches would be a great addition especially in the winter and evenings. Also thinking flowers and a water feature would add to the overall design.
Would the art area be orange? Not clear in the pictures. But maybe rainbow colors would be a better option.

Pleased with the overall design effect, hardscaping and attention to child-friendly activities and seating areas. Looks inviting and friendly while keeping safety and security in mind. Please pay particular attention to lighting -- accent lighting under benches for example, can go a long way to enhacing the design and providing proper lighting effect at night and in the winter. Standard park lighting is not sufficient for this design or a winter city nor will it be well lit.

Grass mounds in this location is crazy. They will be mud mounds in one year. Not enough sun and city’s record on grassy area maintenance is less than stellar. The “keep off the grass” signs will be fixtures except for special occasions. In winter, they will be dangerous ice mounds. Be practical and realistic in this space

I don't mind the design, but my only question is whether the grass sections are real grass or artificial?
Personally I would prefer real vs artificial, especially if children are going to use it. Artificial grass can absorb too much heat in the summer and make the surface uncomfortable for some

I approve heartily the design as submitted--either option is OK.

I am in favour of the redevelopment of Centennial Plaza as described in the preliminary design presented for comment. I particularly like the proposed planting (trees, grass) and play area. The tribute to Judy Padua is most welcome and much deserved.

I like the design, and always like when there is more green space and trees incorporated into public areas. With all the run-off the hard surfaces would create this would be a perfect place to incorporate a rainwater garden or similar concept. For the hard surfaces and play areas where concrete, rubber paving, or similar is being considered, I would like to see recycled and upcycled material used in construction to offset the environmental impact of redeveloping the city's infrastructure.

I think the Westin is mislabelled on the layout.
Are any changes being made to the parking garage entrances? Those are not very attractive. It would be great (at least in the post-COVID world) if a vendor could be attracted back the one entrance. Looking at the proposed design, I think it will be better than what is there now.

* Push the green space more - less concrete, more greenery
* The two square concrete buildings (I think they're entrances to the parking garage) should tie in with the overall plan. They're very ugly and will detract from the entire square if not addressed. Hide them? Landscape around them? Consider some type of paint/cladding/siding? Green roofs?
* How does the plan tie in with the overall landscaping plan for the rest of the Stanley A. Milner Library surrounds? Especially along 99th and 100th Streets.
* How does the plan tie in with a larger vision for the Centennial Plaza/Sir Winston Churchill Square/City Hall blocks? ie: how does one move from from City Hall/SWC Square to Centennial Plaza? How to we develop that space into a green vision for our downtown core? How is access facilitated on the west side?
* On page 6 of the information package, the building south of Judy Padua Way is improperly identified as the Stanley A Milner Library (it is the Westin Hotel).

A good mix of natural spaces and easily maintained surface areas and seating areas. Given the location in the heart of downtown, I am in favour of the concrete surface. Most people will be wearing work clothes and shoes, and women's dress heels do not fare well on boardwalks or uneven, pebbled surfaces.

Kind of disjointed. Consider ease accessibility and mobility for all to enjoy the space from pushing strollers to walkers and wheelchairs.

More green space with Wide enough walkways to be the most inclusive for all ages from strollers to walkers. Any activity area should be equally accessible to all.

More green space, please! This is one of the only patches of green in that area - please add a bit more! Agree with reflecting the "market" origins - consider adding art/play structure that reflects this. Can also plant some fruit trees in the area for spring bloom.

I think the area is too disjoint with all the green grass areas cut up into little islands. I think the concept would be improved by merging the “islands into one flowing oasis with walkway meandering throughout.

In the preliminary design, I'm not seeing any historical interpretation. This site was part of Edmonton's market square -- a really central focus for the city -- for 60+ years so the design should acknowledge this with a feature of some kind or plaque to interpret that history. Since the design also takes in the triangle next to the Westin Hotel, which currently has a rusted, water-damaged display panel honouring the post office that stood where the hotel now is, it would also be good to update the interpretation for the post office. The interpretation that's currently on the clock tower is really weak so perhaps replace it with something that does a better job telling the story of the post office.

I think the new design looks great. I did not see much detail about the lighting but I hope you are adopting bird friendly lighting practices to minimize disruption for migratory and night-flying birds.

Overall I think it's great. The only thing that would be nice to have is a space for musicians and artists to be able to perform. Perhaps the space is already there just not formally identified as artist performance space.