Visionary Redevelopment of Airport Lands Honours Former Mayor
Blatchford selected as the name for the airport land redevelopment.
The mayor who helped put Edmonton in Canadian aviation history books is being honoured.
The redevelopment of the City Centre Airport will be named Blatchford, after Kenneth Blatchford.
Blatchford served as Edmonton’s Mayor from 1924 to 1926. He played a vital role in making Edmonton home to the first municipally run airfield in Canada in 1926.
“Edmonton was a pioneer in Canada’s aviation history,” said David Weir, Chair of the City’s Naming Committee, which approves names for municipal facilities, new neighbourhoods, parks and roads. “Naming the area Blatchford recognizes an important chapter in our city’s history.”
The redevelopment will transform the area into a world-class sustainable community that is walkable, close to transit, and features a large park for everyone to enjoy, all within minutes of downtown Edmonton. When complete, Blatchford will become home to about 30,000 residents, and a place to work for 11,000 people.
“As Mayor, Mr. Blatchford saw the great potential that Edmonton had as a City,” said Mayor Stephen Mandel. “The Blatchford redevelopment will be known world-wide for its innovation, and it’s fitting that it bears the name of one of Edmonton’s great visionaries.”
The Blatchford redevelopment team is currently working on the Master Plan, and will move into detailed design in 2013. Construction is slated to begin early 2014, with the first residents expected to move on site as early as 2016.
The City’s Naming Committee approves names for municipal facilities, new neighbourhoods, parks and roads. The Naming Committee was first established in 1956 as the District Names Advisory Committee. It was one of the first of its kind in North America.
For More Information
Blatchford Project Office
| blatchford@edmonton.ca |
