The City of Calgary has decided to wind down the Green Line LRT project, leaving residents and businesses in Eau Claire uncertain about the future. Homeowners of the River Run townhomes were forced to vacate their homes after a lengthy expropriation process with the city. Residents felt that the city bullied and intimidated them, ultimately kicking them out of their homes for what they believe was unnecessary reasons. The terminus station for the first phase of the Green Line was set to be built underneath the Eau Claire Market site, which led to negotiations with residents beginning in 2019. Despite the ongoing fight with the city, the project has now been terminated due to the province’s withdrawal of funding.
Former residents of River Run, like Joel Gaucher and Patrick Lindsay, expressed their lack of surprise at the council’s decision to end the Green Line project. The city acquired the River Run townhomes earlier this year through the provincial Expropriation Act, with homeowners being compensated based on an independent appraisal in January. Residents rejected the city’s expropriation process and commissioned a provincial inquiry into the matter. The inquiry produced a critical report highlighting the city’s lack of transparent communication with homeowners. The former residents are now appealing the inquiry’s ruling in hopes of receiving compensation they believe they are entitled to.
The former residents are facing delays in applying for compensation from the Land Rights Tribunal as they await reimbursement for their legal fees from the city. The future of the Eau Claire area, including the vacant Eau Claire Market building, is uncertain. City officials are in talks about reimagining the area to potentially turn it into a festival and market destination in Calgary. Demolition of the Eau Claire Market and River Run townhomes is on hold pending a review of a new alignment for Calgary’s Green Line by the provincial government. The desired alignment would see the Green Line run at-grade from downtown to Seton within the project’s budget.
Ward 7 Coun. Terry Wong expressed sympathy for the former residents and noted that the situation is being handled by city administration. The former residents do not believe there is a possibility of returning to the townhouse complex but hope to receive a ruling on their appeal soon to resolve their ongoing expropriation dispute. They highlight the importance of the city treating its taxpayers with respect and hope that changes will be implemented moving forward. The residents are still waiting for the city to reimburse their legal fees from the inquiry and are prepared for the possibility of the dispute continuing for another year or two.
