The City of Edmonton’s administration wants a parking lot near RE/MAX Field to be turned into a housing development, which would lead to the Edmonton Riverhawks losing their main surface parking lot.

But Steve Hogel, fun advisor for the Riverhawks, said the organization is excited about potential development near the stadium — as long as it’s done thoughtfully.

“We have tons coming to our games. We want to see that many more come down here and enjoy the entire space,” Hogel told CBC News Saturday.

“We just want to be sure [redevelopment is] done properly and with attention. As far as we’re concerned, the movement of people is really important to us, getting people in and out of the area.”

In a report to executive council last week, city administration recommended that council release money to get the ball rolling on Phase 1 of the River Crossing Business Plan, which it approved in September 2019.

Implementation of that was activated through amendments to the Rossdale Area Redevelopment Plan, which were approved by council in 2021, according to a city document.

Phase 1 is located directly southeast of the intersection of Rossdale Road and 97th Avenue N.W. In its report, the city said the project includes redeveloping 5.3 acres of land, including:

• Construction of a new road at 102nd Street, between 96th and 97th avenues.
• Signal lights for the new intersection at 102nd Street and 97th Avenue.
• Reconstruction of 96th Avenue, between Rossdale Road and 101st Street.
• After subdivision, rezoning and amending plans, the city says four lots would be publicly listed for sale: three for medium-density developments (four- to six-storey buildings) and one high-density development (an eight- to 12-storey building).

“The redevelopment of this area is amazing, because if this is done properly, this would be the most happening area in the city,” Hogel said.

This summer’s season will be status quo on parking, he said. But the organization will be introducing a shuttle from Churchill Square, in downtown Edmonton, to get people used to the idea of coming to games on the bus.

“They can ride transit from anywhere in the city with the Riverhawks ticket … So we really need to get creative in terms of looking at solutions,” Hogle said.

Capital for River Crossing Redevelopment was approved in 2022 through the budget process for 2023-2026. At the time, $3 million was allocated for planning and design.

The city says an additional $15 million is needed to build and close out Phase 1.

If approved, construction would likely start in late summer, with the first lot sales targeted for late 2027.

The executive committee’s report is on the agenda for the next city council meeting, on April 15.