Architect gets green light to redevelop Camsell hospital site

The site of the old Charles Camsell Hospital, just west of downtown Edmonton, is set for a major transformation after city council approved a zoning change that will allow architect Gene Dub to go ahead with a redevelopment plan.

The seven-storey hospital would be at the centre of the development, surrounded by single family homes, townhouses and a park.

"The hospital would be converted into about 230 units," Dub said. "And whether they're condominium or rental has yet to be decided."

The development is expected to have 594 units in total.

Four years ago Dub and his partners paid $3.6 million to buy the hospital which has sat vacant since it was closed in 1996 and the land around it.

The redevelopment plan was subject to extensive consultations withresidents in the Inglewood neighbourhood, and was scaled down in response to concerns about an increase in traffic.

The plan may still have a slight revision.

The market for condominiums in Edmonton has "evaporated," Dub said, so his project may bechanged to include a continuing-care facility for seniors.

Derelict building to be revived

Now that Dub has the go-ahead to startconstruction, one city councillor said he's pleased that the building, which dates from the 1960s, will finally berefurbished.

"Right now it's kind of a derelict building," Coun. Ron Hayter said.

"And that doesn't do anything for a neighbourhood. You know people have been breaking into it, fires have been set in the building.This will now bring something into the neighbourhood which would be a positive addition."

Dub plans to start construction next summer.

But first, all the asbestos in the hospital has to be removed, at a cost of about $3 million.