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Eau Claire Market neighbours reject redesign proposals
Project delayed by economic decline
By Sean Myers, Calgary Herald

Plans for redeveloping Eau Claire Market and the adjoining plaza have gone back to the drawing board after facing community resistance to proposed designs.

A plan revealed during a stakeholder’s meeting on Feb. 12 would have moved the Barley Mill pub adjacent to a luxury condominium complex and the historic 1886 Cafe would have been relocated next to the YMCA, in front of the swimming pool windows.

"Everyone was against it," said Christine Gilmour, general manager of the Barley Mill. "I don’t think we’re that loud of a bar, but if I was living in a multimillion-dollar condo complex, I wouldn’t want a pub in my backyard."

The proposal would have moved the pub next to the Prince’s Island Estates complex, a location even Ald. Druh Farrell questioned.

"The Barley Mill needs to find a new home, but I’m not sure the new proposal was the best solution,"said Farrell, who did not attend the meeting due to a scheduling conflict.

The Barley Mill and the 1886 Cafe are on land that will be part of the market redevelopment.

Farrell said the cafe is an important historic building that needs an appropriate, permanent new home. Farrell also noted that businesses and residents in the area are not pleased with the idea of connecting Riverfront Avenue through the Eau Claire Market site and between the Sheraton hotel and the YMCA.

"There are still some outstanding issues identified by business and residents and we will look at it again,"said Farrell. "It’s a work in progress.

"But I would say some progress has been made since the last meeting."

The $750-million redevelopment of Eau Claire Market, which is now on land owned by Harvard Developments, has been delayed by the economic decline.

The city is redesigning the plaza area between the market, the YMCA and Prince’s Island Park. Farrell noted that funding has not yet been set aside for the plaza project.

"There’s no rush, we have lots of time for this," she said.

The first phase of the market redevelopment was to have started by now, according to plans set out a year ago.

The project is to include 700 housing units, several restaurants, a grocery store and hotel.

The Regina-based Harvard Developments has already said it could be summer before ground is broken.

smyers@theherald.canwest.com