The group petitioning to keep the City Centre Airport open took the opportunity Thursday to unveil its development plans for the airport. The initiative comes as one of the airport's runways is scheduled to close.
Envision Edmonton is still working to gather close to 78,000 signatures to force the city to revisit the decision of closing the airport. The first of two runways at the City Centre Airport is scheduled to close next week.
Mayor Stephen Mandel has maintained that the airport lands will be transformed into an urban setting with residential properties.
Envision Edmonton unveiled renderings of what it wants to see on the airport lands, which includes two possible LRT options that would run west or east of the site as well as a new building hub in hopes of doubling the airport's current 1,200 person workforce.
"What we want to do is expand on the role this airport plays as general aviation airport and tie in the industries that exist and new industries," said Ed Schlemco with Envision Edmonton.
But the city ultimately wants to use the land to house 30,000 people. The city has already launched an international design competition looking for ideas on how to convert the land into a commercial and housing district.
"Mid-point next week we're looking to narrow that down to up to five companies," said Phil Sande with the City of Edmonton.
Edmonton Airports says it will start to close down one runway in the coming days. It's also invested $20 million to ensure tenants can move their planes to existing hangars or even build their own hangars at the International Airport or Villneuve Airports.
Envision Edmonton says it progressing with its petition campaign. Officials maintain they have roughly 50,000 signatures to date.
The Alberta Enterprise Group provided CTV News with an e-mail sent from City Councillor Kim Krushell's office. It says while the city is taking one runway out of service next Tuesday, it won't actually dismantle it until the outcome of Envision Edmonton's petition.
Recently, some provincial politicians have weighed in on the issue. Liberal MLA Hugh MacDonald and NDP Leader Brian Mason are on record showing their support for Envision's campaign. On Thursday, the Wildrose Alliance says it is urging members to sign the petition.
With files from Jessica Earle
