It’s not the hit medical drama from HBO. In Wîhkwêntôwin, “the pit” refers to the site of a cancelled construction project and its several-metre-deep excavation that’s sat agape for years.
After a season of record-breaking rain, it’s becoming more than just an eyesore for residents. As the excavation site fills with water, becomes overgrown, and its shoring deteriorates, people are becoming concerned about cave-ins and wildlife.
The site has caught local attention on social media through a page called Edmonton Pit Tour, a page dedicated to showcasing empty and often derelict lots in Edmonton.
At one point, the site was full of water deep enough for ducks to swim about. Residents say water has since been pumped out.
Nestor Avalos, who lives in the area, said the stagnant water has also become a breeding ground for mosquitoes. But a bigger concern comes around how the damaged shoring could affect the home next door to it.
“Everyone’s just like, ‘I wonder when the day is that it finally gives out and that house gets swallowed up,” Avalos said.
During a housing crisis, Avalos said it’s worrisome to see good land in a prime location right next to Paul Kane Park sit in limbo when it could be used for something that benefits the community.
Imran Ahmad, president of the Wîhkwêntôwin Community League, said the site is one of the most visible examples of what happens when a development stalls and there are limited tools to hold people accountable.
According to Alberta Major Projects, the site was originally intended to be a $34-million residential apartment complex called The Jameson, developed by Vancouver-based Open Sky Developments. Construction began in September 2021, but was cancelled last year after delays.
“We don’t expect every project to go smoothly. But when a large pit sits in the middle of a dense urban neighbourhood, it’s our residents who live with that reality,” Ahmad said.
Ahmad noted that not all developments turn out this way and pointed to the Mercury Block and the Cobalt buildings as recent examples of good developments that worked with the community. He hopes the city gets stronger tools for dealing with such properties.
Ward Métis Coun. Ashley Salvador said the city is working on a new tax subclass for commercial properties that would widen the city’s ability to penalize derelict sites, similar to one council approved for residential properties during the last term.
She said these sites pose a real risk to the community, and also costs because they lead to many calls for emergency services and are prone to greater fire risk.
Since putting forward the residential tax subclass, she said the city has had a 31 per cent reduction in structure fires, and there have been hundreds of demolitions.
A large hole built for an apartment building foundation in the neighbourhood of Wîhkwêntôwin. Now residents are concerned as nature is taking over.
However, there are some limitations baked into provincial legislation on how much cities can tax through subclasses. Salvador said she’s also working to get other Alberta municipalities involved to advocate for the provincial government to change that.
When asked about the Jameson in Wîhkwêntôwin, Salvador said she didn’t have details on the specific site, but said these are the types of properties that she’s thinking about with the introduction of the new tax.
When asked about concerns for the property, a spokesperson for the city said it is still in the hands of the developer and any inquiries should be directed to them.
The city also said it is monitoring the site’s maintenance to ensure it is meeting shoring requirements and safety controls, including fencing.
According to land title records, the property is still registered under developer Open Sky Developments. Postmedia attempted to contact the company through an email address listed in corporate records, but didn’t receive a response before publication.
Related
Bookmark our website and support our journalism: Don’t miss the news you need to know — add EdmontonJournal.com and EdmontonSun.com to your bookmarks and sign up for our newsletters here.
You can also support our journalism by becoming a digital subscriber. Subscribers gain unlimited access to The Edmonton Journal, Edmonton Sun, National Post and 13 other Canadian news sites. Support us by subscribing today: The Edmonton Journal | The Edmonton Sun.