Town of Cochrane Integrated Downtown Improvement Plan
Type of initiative
FCM Green Municipal Fund - Plans, Studies, Pilots
Sector
Brownfield
Project value$426,800
Project Type
Plan
Sub Sector
Redevelopment strategies
Grant amount$213,400
Program type
GMF
Municipality
Town of Cochrane (AB), AB
Status
Fully Disbursed
Population
32,199
Project timeline
2011 - 2013
Project number
11036
Description
The Town of Cochrane will develop a comprehensive downtown action plan to facilitate brownfield redevelopment efforts, direct investments into sustainable infrastructure, and promote revitalization by offering critical community amenities. An easy commute from Calgary, Cochrane is growing rapidly and is expected to triple its population within the next 20 years. In response to a recent spate of brownfield developments in the downtown core, community leaders have recognized the need to move beyond a site-by-site approach to development and establish a formal action plan aligned with the town’s Sustainability Plan.
The Integrated Downtown Action Plan, which is expected to take more than two years to develop, will propose short-, medium-, and long-term targets for sustainable development. It will identify strategies for dealing with issues including sustainable energy and land-use policies, transportation networks, watershed protection, and waste management. The plan will also investigate sustainable community infrastructure projects such as developing a future transit hub; implementing stormwater quality and water reuse programs; and developing district power generation capacity. A team of municipal staff and multi-disciplinary consultants will develop the action plan based on extensive public consultations and meetings with special interest groups, including business and development associations and environmental groups. They will use a LEED Neighbourhood Development (ND) planning framework. Cochrane’s Integrated Downtown Action Plan is expected to promote sustainable, community-orientated economic growth by mitigating the risks associated with brownfield sites; directing infrastructure investment; and encouraging residents to live, work and play in Cochrane's downtown.
(Project description from original funding application)
Applicant
Town of Cochrane (AB), AB