103rd street closure paves way for sale to Katz Group

The portion of 103rd street in front of the downtown Greyhound station could soon be in private hands, after a city council vote approving the closure of the street with the intention of selling it to the Katz Group.

The proposal would allow the developer to redesign the street between 103rd and 104th Avenue as part of the arena district and close it to traffic on special occasions, like concerts and community events.

The idea is to really have a significantly better public realm, said Simon OBryne, a Stantec consultant working for the Katz Group.

The idea also is to make sure theres always going to be access for pedestrians and cyclists.

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Katz Group also plans to build an underground parkade beneath the street, something that would not be allowed if the city owned the land.

Right now the street is flanked by the Greyhound station on the west and a gravel parking lot on the right. According to the plan for the new arena district, the street would be adjacent to a public plaza, and a number of new shops and restaurants.

You think about Rice Howard Way, you think about 104th Street, things like that, the emphasis is a little bit more on the pedestrian than the vehicle, OBryne said.

The city has a year to close the street while they negotiate the sale of the land.

City councillors will have no part of those negotiations, but Coun. Scott McKeen has requested a report with the details of the deal before its made final.

City administrators would not say how much they plan to sell it for, but that it would have to be sold off for fair market value.