River Crossing is a redevelopment in the central river valley that builds on the rich history of the area to create a vibrant community and special gathering place.
Over the coming decades, River Crossing will become home to a new park designed with rightsholders, low-, mid- and highrise housing, roads, trails and outdoor event spaces.
Indigenous peoples including the nêhiyawak, Métis, Dene, Saulteaux, Nakoda, Blackfoot and Beaver peoples gathered, traded and held ceremony and diplomacy here.
River Crossing is a place that celebrates Edmonton’s rich history and promising future.
What's Happening
River Crossing Park
River Crossing Park will be a new park that honours and celebrates the long and layered history of the area. The concept design phase for a new river valley park between Rossdale Road and 96 Avenue was initiated in 2025.
It will be a place of connection where unique people, cultures and natural landscapes of Edmonton come together reflecting our city’s past, present and future.
As outlined in the River Crossing Business Plan, the park will be designed with Indigenous communities and others to address programming needs and appropriately honour and celebrate the city's Indigenous and settler legacy.
River Crossing Park is an opportunity for new outdoor spaces and amenities in the river valley and most populated portion of our city.
Touch the Water Promenade
The Touch the Water Promenade project is in the planning and design stages, aiming to draw Edmontonians to the river valley and support non-automotive transportation connections to the downtown core.
Through the Rossdale Transportation Network, the City is enhancing public spaces and balancing the roadway network in the Rossdale area to support all modes of transportation.
The concept plan was completed in 2022. There is currently no timeline for construction.
The River Crossing plan is a harmonizing vision for community and economic development in west Rossdale. Located in the heart of our city, the 44-acre site includes park space, heritage buildings and 13 acres of redevelopment land.
The City will implement a redesigned transportation network and underground infrastructure (roads, sidewalks and trails) in phases to improve sustainability and movement of people in and through the district.
The new infrastructure will create the foundation to implement the overall plan for River Crossing and introduce new residential opportunities for up to 4,000 people in the heart of Edmonton.
River Crossing is identified as a priority growth area in The City Plan, meaning the City expects to see both public and private investment and population growth in the area in the near term.
River Crossing Community Redevelopment Newsletter
Stay informed about the latest updates and ongoing projects.
Planning for River Crossing
2024
River Crossing Indigenous Involvement Approach completed. The overarching aim is to remove barriers, create opportunities for inclusion and enable continued growth and learning.
2019
The River Crossing Business Plan is prepared through extensive consultation with the public, interested parties including the development and business communities, and Indigenous communities. See What We Heard Reports: October 2018, April 2018 and November 2017. The plan will be implemented by the City with partners and interested parties, and through various public and private funding sources.
2017
The Heritage Interpretive Plan is prepared to bring the area's history and cultural significance to life. In 2018 the City, Edmonton Arts Council and Edmonton Heritage Council partnered to offer Tracing Connections in River Crossing art grants. The resulting work included temporary visual art installations and musical performances. In the summer of 2020, private tour operators provided tours of the Rossdale Power Plant and the surrounding area. The City will continue to work with interested organizations in planning heritage interpretation activities.
2015
City Council adopted a new Vision for the area (see map).
Completed Work
The City rehabilitated Ortona Armoury and reopened the building in summer 2024 as an event venue and creative space for artists.
See Ortona Armoury Rehabilitation for project details and ArtsHub Ortona to book space.
City Council approved amendments to the Rossdale Area Redevelopment Plan (ARP) as well as changes to zoning in the area.
Summary of changes:
- The updated Rossdale Area Redevelopment Plan (ARP) now aligns with the River Crossing Business Plan.
- Zoning changes that enable the reuse of the Rossdale Power Plant, development of an Indigenous heritage park, design of the Touch The Water Promenade, and increase activation of RE/MAX Field.
- Zoning changes to recognize that land along 101 Street is parkland, land west of 105 Street zoned is provincially owned, and land outside the future interpretive park is no longer zoned parkland.
See the June 23, 2021 City Council Public Hearing Agenda and Minutes (Items 3.18, 3.19 and 3.20) for full details.
The City installed new decorative lighting turning them on for the first time in October 2019 to mark the 18th anniversary of the Rossdale Power Plant’s designation as a provincial historic resource.
The Rossdale Power Plant is unique in Edmonton and one of the most important pieces of industrial heritage in Alberta. To highlight the architecture and history of the structure, the City invested in a permanent lighting display, illuminating the smokestacks and upper windows at night.
The lighting project aimed to bring greater attention to the building and its location in the river valley and to activate the area. It also contributes to a more vibrant view of the city during the dark winter months.