No new hotels and condos in Chinatown after proposed development withdrawn

CALGARY (660 NEWS) – A controversial development in Chinatown is off the table, for now.

The plan was to build two 27-storey high-rise towers with about 519 condo units and a 12 storey hotel with 150 suites along 2nd Avenue SW.

On Tuesday morning, the developer, El Condo, withdrew the permit at the same time an appeal was heard on the project.

Terry Wong with Friends of Chinatown said there were several concerns for the project including traffic and cultural impacts in the area.

He admits though, it’s not the end of the story.

“It doesn’t mean that they cannot come back, they can certainly come back with a new development permit application and ideally a better plan than they submitted originally. If they do, the Chinatown community would love to be a part of that consultation as to what will work.”

Wong said there were concerns with four senior apartment buildings in the vicinity of 2nd Avenue. He also says that about 200 on street and off street parking stalls would be lost if the development went through.

Wong is encouraged by the decision and hopes the city will continue to work closely with Chinatown in the future.

“We want Chinatown to be conserved as a cultural enclave for Calgarians. Chinatown’s been here for 135 years and has obviously gone through a lot in those years and it’s meant a lot to Calgarians.”

In a statement, Friends of Chinatown said the area is a cultural community “which must be revitalized, re-invigorated, and promoted as a residential community with small/mid-size businesses that is clean and safe for all residents and visitors.”

The group has been fighting with City Hall over the proposed development for the past three years.