Medicine Hat City Council approved a development permit allowing for the installation of 14 seacans and a canopy at the city's Towne Square ( submitted photo/City of Medicine Hat)

By Tiffany Goodwein

$400,000 over budget

Council approves development permit for Towne Square seacans

Jan 5, 2022 | 4:43 AM

MEDICINE HAT, AB– Fourteen seacans and a shaded canopy will soon call 603 1^st Street home. In an eight to one vote, Medicine Hat City Council approved a development permit for the area, otherwise known as Towne Square.

The city says the seacans will act as bays for vendors of temporary markets in the warmer months. The multi-use space will consist of a plaza for social events and a parking lot with over 50 stalls. An outdoor ice rink, food trucks, and a space to host festivals and sporting events are other ideas proposed by Invest Medicine Hat.

Councillor Alison Knodel expressed her support for the seacans noting they have been used to develop homes and coffee shops.

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“ They are a pretty modern and affordable and sustainable structure that I am excited to see in the downtown core. It’s very different than anything that we have ever done we have a very red rock feeling downtown and this is very different, and I would love to see some art on those seacans and I think that is the direction we are headed.” Knodel said

Erik Van Enk, managing director of Invest Medicine Hat said the city has already received interest from organizations like Medicine Hat College and a local brewery.

“We are starting to see that interest from groups looking to establish a long-term presence in that area through the seacans,” Van Enk said.

Staff said if the seacan idea is not a success, they can be removed and the land can be repurposed.

“Worst case scenario after five years we get a buyer, they redevelop the site. We already have the utilities in place to move forward with a number of different options,” stated Ian Hakes of Invest Medicine Hat.

The city received $2 million in provincial municipal stimulus money to complete the project. But Councillor Sharps, the lone vote against the development permit questioned the city on the total cost of the Towne Square development. That’s when the city revealed that the project is $400,000 over budget. The additional $400,000 expense will be paid through Invest Medicine Hat which generates money through the land the city sells and development profits.

“it’s not money coming out of the tax base, but it is certainly city money,” stated Ian Hakes of Invest Medicine Hat.

Coun. Sharps further expressed her frustration with 603 1^st Street.

“ I’ve never hid my dismay on how this was handled. So I went to municipal planning and municipal planning came out in a minute saying they were proposing this to city council for January 4 and the next thing you know they were being delivered on 603 1^st Street. So I find that very concerning to think that it hasn’t come in front of council yet and they were in the back of a truck already,” Sharps said.

City Manager Robert Nicolay explained that the previous council needed to act fast in order to qualify for the stimulus money

“That necessitated a hurry-up capital plan. The parameters were such that the project could not have been planned in advance, otherwise, it wouldn’t qualify. It had to be engaged immediately and concluded by Dec. 31 of the following year, so a year to complete the entire project. So it was a hurry-up project that was completely endorsed by previous council,” Nicolay said

Nicolay added that once the project was approved the city immediately ordered the seacans to ensure that they would get the supplies to meet the necessary timelines.

During the council meeting, a public hearing was held to allow residents to share their concerns about the proposal, but no one stood up in front of the microphone. The city did receive one letter of support suggesting a public washroom.

When questioned about the lack of public engagement, Clark said the city is looking at ways to encourage more people to share their perspectives.

“More public engagement is necessary and I would encourage people to come out to the public hearings if they care about an issue. I think to an extent maybe people feel like their voice doesn’t matter, and that is really disappointing and that is something that we need to work on changing, Clark said.

Now that the development permit has been approved eight seacans will be delivered to the Towne Square to start, with more added in the future. The seacans will be equipped with lighting,electrical outlets, and proper ventilation.

Clark said going forward, questions still need to be addressed as to how the city can
better support existing downtown businesses who likely pay higher taxes, in comparison to the smaller-scale seacan businesses.