What's up with Co-op and other Greystone commercial projects?

Development of the new Calgary Co-op and other commercial projects in the Greystone community will begin this construction season.

During public hearings on amendments sought for some their development plans, Joshua Hagan, vice-president of development at Burnswest Properties, provided council a brief update on timelines for its commercial areas and 10-acre park area.

He said the construction fence is up for the new Calgary Co-op and in about a week the existing overhead powerline will be gone. While not speaking for Calgary Co-op, he says the opening of the new 35,000-square-foot grocery store is anticipated by the end of 2025.

READ MORE: Massive Co-op grocery store announced for Greystone

The selection of the builder and operator of a nearby hotel continue continues. Hagen says the project is something that Burnswest has always envisioned to be completed during the latter stages of development.

"Making sure it's the right builder and operator has always been important for us," said Hagen. "We look forward to hopefully getting something down on paper and moving things forward with the hotel over the next year or so."

Named in honour of the late Jefferson Burns, the Jefferson Plaza is anticipated to begin this summer.

"We were doing some pretty exciting stuff there, really high-quality urban space there that will be built this summer as well. Having a great central gathering spot for Greystone has always been envisioned, so we look forward to having that completed as well."

It backs on to the 10-acre park space, also being developed this summer, that includes 20 pickleball courts, two ball diamonds, basketball court, play structure, three-season washroom, and parking.

READ MORE: Nearly $1 million awarded for major pickleball development

Hagen says the Ocgrow Group of Companies is also scheduled to break ground on its five-acre commercial area just north of the Jefferson Plaza.

Representatives of Burnswest Properties appeared before council at a public hearing to seek a series of changes to its 10-phase development.

In phase 8, it proposes to change approximately 3.22 acres of land from Special Industrial District (I-S) to Residential Low-Density District (R-LD).

It seeks to create a direct control district in its residential high-density district to enable a reduction in the required parking stalls, amendments to its indoor parking stall dimension and maximum continuous building forntage.

In phase 9, it seeks land use amendments that would change approximately 3.27 acres of land from Special Industrial District (I-S) to Residential Medium Density District (R-MD), 4.32 acres from Special Industrial (I-S) to Direct Control (DC-03), 8.90 acres from Special Industrial (I-S) to Business Industrial (I-B), and 10.79 acres from Special Industrial (I-S) to General Industrial (I-G).

There was a nonstatutory hearing for Greystone Area C Neighbourhood Plan. The neighbourhood plan is being amended in response to the land-use amendment application for Greystone Phase 9.

No residents made presentations on any of these proposed changes, and it came down to a discussion between the developer and town council.