Downtown Edmonton's abandoned construction pit poses safety risks as water, overgrowth worsen

A multi-storey excavation site in Wîhkwêntôwin sits empty and deteriorating, drawing concern from residents about cave-ins, mosquito breeding, and the risk to adjacent homes.

The pit is what remains of The Jameson, a $34-million residential complex by Vancouver developer Open Sky Developments. Construction started in September 2021 but was cancelled last year after delays. The site has filled with water (later pumped out), sprouted overgrowth, and its shoring has deteriorated — all visible through the local Edmonton Pit Tour social media page, which documents empty and derelict lots across the city.

Nestor Avalos, who lives nearby, said stagnant water became a mosquito breeding ground. His greater concern: damaged shoring next to a neighbouring home. "Everyone's just like, 'I wonder when the day is that it finally gives out and that house gets swallowed up," Avalos said.

Imran Ahmad, president of the Wîhkwêntôwin Community League, called the site one of the most visible examples of what happens when development stalls with limited city tools to hold developers accountable. During a housing crisis, prime urban land sitting in limbo is particularly galling.

Coun. Ashley Salvador said the city is developing a new tax subclass for commercial properties to penalize derelict sites, mirroring one approved for residential properties that has already yielded a 31 percent reduction in structure fires and hundreds of demolitions. However, provincial legislation caps how much cities can tax through subclasses — Salvador is working with other Alberta municipalities to push the province for change.

When asked about The Jameson specifically, the city said the property remains in the developer's hands and monitoring shoring for safety compliance continues.