Centre City bridges celebrate Canada 150

Art banners that celebrate Canada’s 150th anniversary of confederation are being unveiled this week on bridges leading in Calgary’s Centre City. The artwork, created by local artist Katie Green, explores one’s individual relationship with nature and illustrates the cyclical elements in nature and life.

Green drew inspiration for the artwork through a community engagement event hosted last summer by herself, Blackfoot Elder Casey Eagle Speaker and Stoney/Nakoda Elder Paul Daniels. The trio led 43 Calgarians on a nature walk in Fish Creek Park where Eagle Speaker and Daniels shared teachings on how nature is integrated into everyone’s lives.

Following the walk, community members participated in a sharing circle to discuss their reactions to the Elder’s teaching and share stories about their own personal relationships with nature. The imagery contained in each banner artwork was sourced directly from the insights and perspectives shared at the engagement event.

Highlights of the community engagement process have been documented in this short film by Maximillian Krewiak:

Green’s artwork will be on display throughout the year, as one of The City’s Canada 150 commemorations. Bridges where Green’s work can be viewed include Centre Street, MacDonald, Inglewood (9 Avenue), Langevin, soon to be re-named Reconciliation (Edmonton Trail), Louise (10 Street) and Mewata (14 Street).

This initiative is part of the Centre City Banner Program, which is managed by The City’s Urban Strategy – Centre City Team, in collaboration with the Public Art Program. For over a decade, the program has been engaging local artists to create artwork that is displayed on gateway bridges into Calgary’s Centre City. The objective of this program is to transform these gateways into open air galleries, creating a vibrant and colourful narrative for pedestrians, cyclists and motorists.

The banner program is funded through both the Downtown Improvement Fund and the Public Art Program.

1 Street S.W. improvements begin

Construction has begun on a project to improve the streetscape for pedestrians and transit users on 1 Street S.W. between 10 Avenue and 17 Avenue.

The improvements will include wider sidewalks, prominent crosswalks, upgraded LED pedestrian and street lighting, new tree plantings, additional bike racks, increased number of on-street parking spaces and a centre median with banner pageantry program.

“The improvements build on the existing character of the blocks located between 12 and 14 Avenues, extending the streetscape design along the full length of the corridor,” said Graham Gerylo, Urban Strategy project manager with the City of Calgary. “This work will create a safer, more comfortable and inviting environment for the thousands of pedestrians and transit riders that travel along this corridor each day.”

Construction will take place in stages and is being coordinated in a way that best minimizes impacts to businesses, residents, pedestrians and motorists. The first stage of work includes utility crossings along the entire corridor, followed by the improvements along the east side of 1 Street between 10 and 12 Avenues.

As part of the construction, sidewalks will be demolished, and crews will excavate trenches to run electrical conduit to power the new streetlight poles and dig holes for new tree plantings. This work will require the sidewalk and adjacent lane to be closed. The closed lane will be used as a pedestrian detour, where temporary ramps will be installed to provide access to every building entrance.

Some construction activities will require excavation within the roadway and will require full or partial lane closures. When possible, this work will be scheduled during off-peak hours or over weekends. If full-lanes are closed, temporary traffic detours will be set up.

For more details on the project, visit www.calgary.ca/1stcorridor.

LEDs streetlights to brighten downtown core this summer

The City has finished converting over 30,000 streetlights across Calgary to energy efficient LED lighting. 99 residential neighbourhoods are now being lit up with LEDs from Current, powered by GE, and crews will be replacing streetlights in the downtown core over the summer months. Once the lights have all been installed in central Calgary, the program will be 50% complete. That means over 40,000 LED lights will be illuminating the city.

Calgarians can expect to see lights being replaced in the Beltline, East Village, Chinatown, and the commercial core after the sun goes down throughout the summer and fall. In November, the crews will move back to installing in residential areas.

Why the switch to LED? There are plenty of benefits to using LED streetlights, including:

• The whiter colour of the light helps make objects appear more clearly.
• The amount of spilled light is reduced, ensuring light is focused on the roads and sidewalks.
• Short term and long term reductions in costs, maintenance work, and energy consumption

Roads Director Troy McLeod encourages Calgarians to look for the new lights in their neighbourhoods. “Our new LED lights have made a significant difference in nighttime visibility, and these lights will save Calgarians money in both electricity consumption and lifecycle maintenance.”

In addition to better lighting, the conversion to LEDs will save the City of Calgary over $6 million in annual maintenance costs. Once the program is complete, over 80,000 LED lights will be installed, and energy consumption will be half when compared to the previous lights. That’s the equivalent of taking over 5,500 vehicles off the road.

For more information about LEDs, including details about the warmer light used in residential areas, visit the project page and FAQ.

Cycle track pilot – A year in review

The cycle track network pilot project has now been in operation for a year. Since opening, we have continued to monitor and make adjustments to the project by improving parking and loading access and improving traffic flow so people can get to their downtown destinations. The Bicycle Ambassador team has been on-street and at events helping Calgarians understand how to walk, bike and drive along the network.

With six months still left before a decision is made by Council on the future of the network, here is what we have seen from the first 12 months:

770, 393 total trips counted in three middle 

locations from June 18, 2015 to June 18, 2016

• 770, 393 total trips counted in three middle locations from June 18, 2015 to June 18, 2016
• 158,400 trips counted in the same three locations during colder months (November 2015-March 2016)
• 68,000 Cycle Track Tips Guides mailed out to Calgarians and found in nine brochure holders along the network
• 24,500 total interactions with Calgarians through our Bike Ambassadors to date
• 1,811 messages received by 311 regarding the pilot project (45 per cent were received before the network opened)
• 758 new bicycle parking spaces installed downtown
• 130 net new parking stalls downtown (to offset the loss along the cycle track routes)
• 27 per cent of people riding are women (an increase from a network average of 20 per cent before the cycle tracks)

Project fast facts:

• 18 months-the total duration of the pilot project
• 6.5 km of separated lanes or shared space along three corridors (12 Avenue S, 8/9 Avenue S.W. and 5 Street S.W.)
• $1.35 million under budget (total cost was $5.75 million, equal to approximately one LRT car)

Lighter, brighter downtown underpass takes shape

Walking through the 8 Street SW underpass is going to be cleaner, safer and more visually stimulating starting this May.

Crews installing paving stones on east side walkway

Pedestrian traffic is currently being directed to the west side of the 8 Street SW underpass while improvements to the east side walkway take place. But in a few short weeks, Calgarians will be treated to a whole new underpass experience as the east side opens up.

The east side underpass enhancements include construction of new sidewalks, concrete surface repairs, LED lighting, public art, and repairs and maintenance of upper and lower retaining walls.

“Safety and cleanliness are the most important elements in the use of places that people use, including downtown underpasses”, said Ben Barrington, Program Manager, Implementation Urban Strategy. “What’s happening on the 8 Street underpass addresses these concerns by not only doing necessary maintenance but adding an exciting visual experience from the new design and upcoming public art. It’s all about connecting people and places.”

Construction on east side walkway nears completion

Crews will repaint the bridges to make the area brighter, and will construct a public art installation between the two bridges. The bridges themselves will be cleaned, repainted and lit with new LED lighting.

When the enhancements on the east side are completed in May and it is opened to the public, the pedestrian walkway on the west side will be closed until the improvements are finished. As well, one lane of southbound vehicle traffic will be closed for the work to proceed.

All underpass improvements in this area are anticipated to be completed by early this fall.

The 8 Street SW Underpass Enhancement project is part of a broader corridor improvement program being undertaken by The City, to improve the pedestrian environment and connections between the Beltline and downtown communities.

Help re-imagine your Olympic Plaza Cultural District

The City of Calgary, in partnership with Calgary Municipal Land Corporation (CMLC) and Intelligent Futures, wants to know what Calgarians envision for the future of the Olympic Plaza Cultural District (OPCD).

The request for input stems from the Civic District Public Realm Strategy, approved by Council in early 2016, which aims to improve the public spaces around City Hall, Olympic Plaza, and the new Central Library.

This round of public engagement will focus on Olympic Plaza and its adjacent areas: Municipal Plaza, the surrounding public realm and connections through City Hall onto Third Street S.E. These areas have been identified as priority spaces in need of repair and enhancement.

“Earlier feedback told us that Calgarians want to see an Olympic Plaza Cultural District that is clean, safe, and vibrant and provides a range of programming, events and amenities,” says Carlie Ferguson, Urban Strategy Lead at The City of Calgary. “Now, we’re zeroing in on what Calgarians already like about the space, what they would like to change and other ways we can make this great space even better.”

The project kicks off with a week-long public awareness campaign that will get Calgarians thinking about the Olympic Plaza Cultural District. Fun facts about the district will be featured in Olympic Plaza and through social media. A week later, public engagement officially launches on April 18.

The initial result of this public input will be a programming guide that feeds into future phases of the project, potential design requirements and the site amenities most valued by Calgarians.

“Calgarians see this area as their outdoor living room,” Ferguson says. “Their input is essential to help inspire a world-class space that draws tourists and citizens alike.”

Starting April 18, Calgarians are invited to provide their feedback on site at Olympic Plaza and various downtown locations, at special events across the city, through social media using the hashtag #myOPCD and online by visiting calgary.ca/myOPCD. Stay tuned to the website for more details.

Calgarians increasingly connected to the Centre City

Calgarians continue to express positive views about Centre City amenities, cleanliness, infrastructure and sense of community, according to The City of Calgary’s 2015 Centre City Citizen Perception Survey.

“We are particularly pleased to see the increase in people visiting the Centre City for non-work activities, a total of 62 per cent in 2015 compared to 51 per cent when we polled in 2013,” says Cathy Taylor, Project Manager with The City’s Urban Strategy unit. “With the decline in the economy in 2015, we expected different results. This confirms that all Calgarians, even those who neither work nor live in the Centre City, are excited by what the core has to offer.”

Taylor was also pleased with the high levels of use of Centre City parks and pathways.

“At The City we take great pride in making our Centre City parks and pathways clean, accessible and enjoyable for everyone,” she says. “This survey confirms that Calgarians value them as well.”

Not only do people report being satisfied with levels of cleanliness in the Centre City, 15 per cent of Calgarians reported that cleanliness has improved over the past three years resulting in an even better experience when visiting the area.

There was a small overall decline in Calgarians’ perceptions of safety in the Centre City.

“The Calgary Police Service employs a number of additional resources, including plainclothes officers and our Beat and Bike Teams, throughout the downtown area,” says District 1 Inspector Cliff O’Brien. “We encourage anyone who believes they’ve been a victim of a crime, or who witnesses a crime, to contact us. The more we know, the better we are able to deploy resources.”

This is the first year Calgarians were asked about parking. 68 per cent of Calgarians find parking in the Centre City difficult or somewhat difficult. Almost seven in ten report insufficient short term parking spots during business hours.

“The City of Calgary continues to explore ways to improve parking accessibility to the Centre City while managing congestion,” says Eric MacNaughton, parking strategist with The City. “As part of the new Downtown Parking Strategy, we’ll be reviewing our current rules for private parking to allow underused parking spaces to be more easily rented out to people driving downtown. The goal would be to free up short term parking spaces during business hours.”

The telephone survey was conducted by research firm Harris/Decima in November and December of 2015. The survey polled 981 Calgarians, aged 18 years and above.

The City of Calgary has been investing in the Centre City since 2007, which has created a more attractive core that has a greater capacity to support and encourage future investment and growth.

“55 per cent of respondents indicated that the Centre City is a desirable place to live, up from 49 per cent in 2013 and 39 per cent in 2011,” Taylor says. “Our survey results continue to demonstrate that great strides are being made in building a vibrant Centre City.”

The survey was initiated by The City’s Urban Strategy team; key findings are available at calgary.ca/centrecity.

About Calgary’s Centre City
Calgary’s Centre City includes the Beltline, Chinatown, Downtown, East Village, Eau Claire, Stampede Park and Downtown West. City Council approved the Centre City Plan in 2007. It establishes the vision for making Calgary’s Centre City a liveable, caring and thriving place. Over 37,000 people live and 161,000 work in Centre City, while millions visit the downtown areas many restaurants, shops, public art, culture destinations, attractions, festivals and more than 25 public parks and spaces.

New banner artwork celebrates beauty of Calgary architecture

Spring brings to mind freshness, bright colours and vibrancy; nowhere is that more apparent than on the new banners being installed throughout our Centre City.

This year, Calgary-based artist Sheila Kernan has produced seven original canvas paintings highlighting Calgary’s urban culture. The paintings integrate architecture from across the city to create unique streetscapes and skylines.

Her artwork, titled Our Calgary, celebrates the diversity and beauty of Calgary and its distinctive architecture.

“I have always been endlessly fascinated by how our city transforms at night,” Kernan says. “There is an energy that emulates from flickering neon lights casting amazing patterns and reflections onto our majestic buildings.”

The banners are being installed as part of the Centre City Banner Program, in partnership with Public Art.

Banners are displayed on seven bridges leading into the core and on the Olympic Plaza pergola, acting as gateways to Calgary’s downtown and cultural district.

“The program helps beautify our gateways into the Centre City, animating our downtown with bold punches of colour,” says Graham Gerylo, Project Manager in The City’s new Urban Strategy Department. “It provides an opportunity for local artists to build their portfolio and showcase their work in an open-air gallery format.”

Kernan’s artwork takes inspiration from a variety of structures and juxtaposes new with old, such as the historic Centre Street Bridge with the recently built Peace Bridge. This year marks the 100-year anniversary of the Centre Street Bridge. Kernan has paid tribute by adding lion emblem motifs and stucco patterns into her canvasses.

“I hope the artwork and the placement of the banners provides an engaging narrative for pedestrians, cyclists and drivers to enjoy,” Kernan says. “I also help it encourages Calgarians to reflect upon what our great city has to offer.”

An opening reception to celebrate Kernan’s work for this project is being held on Saturday, April 23 from 1 to 3 p.m. at the Gibson Fine Art gallery. Please visit the artist’s website for more details.

Visit calgary.ca/centrecity for more information on the banner program and to view past and present artwork. The City is planning a celebration to mark the 100-year anniversary of the Centre Street Bridge this summer.

New Life for a Landmark: Reconstructing 17 Avenue S.W.

17 Avenue S.W. is known to Calgarians by many names. In Calgary’s infancy, when the Mission area was a French Catholic village called Rouleauville, it was rue Notre Dame. When Calgary adopted its practice of numbering streets in 1904, it became 17 Avenue S.W. When the Calgary Flames made their electrifying run for the Stanley Cup in 2004, it was dubbed the Red Mile.

For whatever you call it, there is no denying that 17 Avenue S.W. is a Calgary landmark.

A popular destination for Calgarians and tourists alike, the stretch of shops, restaurants, cafes and parks between Macleod Trail and 14 Street SW is the official retail and entertainment district of Calgary. Hundreds of thousands of people walk the length of the corridor every year, sipping coffee and popping in and out of shops. It’s also an important arterial roadway, moving 20,000 vehicles from east to west and back again every day.

Proposed improvements to the sidewalks east of 2 Street S.W. on 17 Avenue S include new and wider sidewalks, burying utility wires and improved lighting.

The stretch of pavement that makes up this well traveled road, between Macleod Trail and 14 Street S.W. is coming to the end of its life cycle. After 30 years, the road needs a full dirt-to-pavement reconstruction so it can continue to connect businesses and citizens for decades to come. The project will also include a number of road safety improvements, and sidewalk and streetscape improvements; such as, improved lighting and wider sidewalks all along the corridor, and new sidewalks east of 2 Street S.W. Construction is scheduled to begin in spring 2016 and wrap up in fall 2017.

The project team is hosting public events during the week of October 19 to give citizens an update on the project, including design, and next steps as we prepare for work to begin in spring 2016.

Daytime events
Location: ATB Financial, Community room (1110, 17 Avenue S.W.)
Date: Monday, October 19 through Friday, October 23
Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Evening events
Location: St Mary’s Church Hall (219, 18 Avenue S.W.)
Date: Tuesday, October 20
Hours: 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Location: ATB Financial, Community room (1110, 17 Avenue S.W.)
Date: Wednesday, October 21
Hours: 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

If you’re unable to attend these events but would like to see more information on the project, please visit calgary.ca/17avenue.

Centre City projects bringing Calgarians’ vision to life

The 2014/2015 Centre City Annual Update, released today, highlights some of the projects continuing to deliver on Calgarians’ vision for a Centre City that is safe, clean, vibrant and accessible.

“The collaborative work being done by The City, community partners and businesses helps us achieve this vision,” says Ben Barrington, program manager, Centre City Implementation. “The breadth of projects undertaken in 2014, from new parks and public art, to upgraded mobility choices, to community and social programs, is a testament to how our downtown continues to get better and better.”

These kinds of improvements make moving to the Centre City more attractive to Calgarians.

 “The amount of new homes in the Centre City continues to increase,” Barrington says, “providing more housing options for people in communities like East Village and the Beltline.”

Since 2009, the population of the Centre City has increased 15 percent, compared to 12 per cent in Calgary overall.

An economically and culturally vibrant downtown helps attract and retain businesses, residents and jobs and promotes continued investment in the city by the private sector.

As part of The City’s Plan for Economic Resilience, a seventh strategy was added specifically referencing the downtown as an important economic engine for the city.

“This relatively small area of the downtown, representing less than 1 per cent of Calgary’s land mass, generates over 25 per cent of The City’s tax revenue,” Barrington says. “This money helps fund growth and sustainment throughout the city.”

“A resilient and robust downtown benefits not just those who choose to live, work and play in the Centre City, but all Calgarians.”

Over the next week, we’re showcasing some of the 2014 projects that are continuing to improve our downtown. Check out the video above or follow The City’s @nextcityyyc Twitter account to learn more.

New banners brighten downtown bridges

The next time you’re in Calgary’s Centre City, look up. Seven of the downtown bridges and Olympic Plaza have recently been outfitted with colourful new banners by local artist Karen Klassen.

The banners, commissioned through The City of Calgary’s Centre City Banner Program, and in partnership with Public Art, highlight moments of discovery as told through six of Grimm’s fairy tales.

“In each of these fairy tales there is an epic moment of discovery for the characters that changes the course of their lives,” Klassen says. “I see the bridges that span our rivers as opportunities for discovery within the neighbourhoods they lead us to.”

Klassen’s fascination with the fairy tales began at an early age. For this project, she chose to focus on six specific tales: Ashputtel, Briar Rose, Iron Hans, The Golden Bird, Snowdrop and Jorinde and Joringel.

“The richness, texture and detail included on the banners can be viewed and appreciated from a variety of scales, whether a person is walking, cycling or driving into downtown,” says Graham Gerylo, Project Manager, Centre City Implementation.

Since the Centre City Banner Program began in 2008, a dozen local artists have been commissioned to provide artwork specifically for use on the Olympic Plaza pergola and key gateway bridges leading into the greater downtown area. You can find the banners on the 14 Street, 10 Street, Centre Street, Langevin (Edmonton Trail), Zoo, Inglewood (9 Avenue) and MacDonald bridges.

Visit calgary.ca/centrecity for more information and to view past and present artwork. More of Klassen’s work can be seen at karenklassen.com.


About Calgary’s Centre City

Calgary’s Centre City is the economic, cultural and social hub of our city, home to more than 6,000 businesses, 39,000 Calgarians, 25 public parks and hundreds of events and festivals. In 2007, City Council approved The Centre City Plan, a comprehensive and strategic long-term vision for the future of this area. Calgary’s Centre City includes the Downtown Core, Downtown West, Eau Claire, Chinatown East Village, Beltline and Stampede Park.

Efficient planning speeds up West Village development

Written by Joachim Mueller

The timing couldn't be better for West Village Towers, a large development that City Council approved last October. The project will add 584 much-needed residential units, up to two storeys of commercial uses, and likely an urban supermarket to the west end of Calgary’s Downtown. As an urban planner, I’m pleased to see how well this development aligns with our vision of a vibrant Centre City, and I’m excited about how efficiently we processed the applications for it – in half the time it would normally take!

West Village rendering - Photo by Wexford Developments

We were able to work faster because the West Village Towers project was processed as a concurrent application, meaning that City staff processed the rezoning and development permit at the same time. Typically, a developer has to go through the entire rezoning process before coming back to apply for a development permit. Allowing a developer to do these two things at the same time is a way we can work more efficiently and get better outcomes for all parties involved.

Concurrent applications were an idea that came out of Transforming Planning, and it is now being tested as we work to make that vision a reality. It reduces the time and expense required for developers trying to get a proposed development approved and it allows staff to evaluate it more holistically. This reduces the amount of red tape and allows needed housing to be built more quickly, without reducing the amount of input the public gets onto future development.

Typically, a rezoning can take up to six months to be approved, with the development permit taking another six months after that. We were able to complete both of these approvals with the West Village Towers in just over six months. But, taking less time is not the only thing concurrent applications accomplish. Holding these two processes together makes it easier to work collaboratively with developers and communities on a proposed development, because all aspects of it are being discussed at the same time.

Joachim Mueller, Senior Planner

Concurrent applications are just one way that we are working to improve Calgary’s planning system, but there is a lot of other work underway to make the changes that were recommended from the year-long Transforming Planning project. For information on what all is happening, please look on our website at www.calgary.ca/NewPlanningSystem.

Joachim Mueller is a Senior Planner with The City’s Planning, Development & Assessment department.

Calgary’s Centre City shines despite flood impacts

It’s hard to believe flood waters breached the banks of the Elbow and Bow Rivers spilling into our city’s core less than a year ago. Despite this, Centre City proved resilient and has shined through as a livable, thriving and caring core.

Today we’re pleased to release the Centre City Annual Update and share with Calgarians some of the 2013 achievements from the collaborative efforts of City of Calgary business units, community members and industry partners.

The work being undertaken in the core is directed by the Council approved Centre City Plan (2007).

Some of the highlights include the 7th Street SW cycle track that opened to cyclists with 1,160 daily bicycle trips in the first two months, installment of Luminous Crossing at the gateway stations along the 7th Avenue Transit Corridor and development of the new Central Library. Results of the 2013 Centre City Perception Survey reveal 91 per cent of Centre City residents feel the core is a desirable place to live. Indeed, the past year has shown us that we have much to celebrate about our beloved Centre City.

Calgarians can view the Centre City Annual Update online.

For more information about centre city planning and implementation, visit Calgary.ca/centrecity.

Flood preparation in the urban core

Business owners, building owners, condo and apartment dwellers were all hit hard in last year's flood. Deputy Chief Tom Sampson explains what they can do to be prepared for potential flooding.



Everyone should have an emergency plan. Make sure you have contact information for key individuals and organizations like employees, suppliers, tenants and property managers. And make sure it’s available somewhere other than the premises that might flood.

Building owners might consider whether temporary barriers could be effective, keeping in mind that they will only address overland flooding and not seepage that may happen from underground water. Businesses should plan in advance what they will do if they’re displaced.

Condo owners and apartment renters, should, like everyone else, have a 72 hour emergency kit ready to go in case their buildings are evacuated. Condo owners should know what plans their condo board has in place. If a property management firm manages your building, find out what they are doing to prepare.

For more information, visit calgary.ca/floodinfo or subscribe to our email newsletter to get the latest flood related information delivered right to your inbox.

Learn more about the Centre City cycle track network at upcoming info sessions

As part of providing Calgarians with more transportation choices in Calgary’s busiest area, the Centre City, The City is taking a recommended Cycle Track network to the Standing Policy Committee on Transportation and Transit on April 16.

You can learn more about cycle tracks in Calgary’s downtown at the following information sessions:

• Hotel Arts (119 12 Avenue S.W.), Wednesday, April 9, 5-8 p.m.
• Devonian Gardens (#400, 317 7 Avenue S.W.), Thursday, April 10, 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.
• Dragon City Mall (328 Centre Street SE), Thursday, April 10, 2:30-5 p.m.

A display summarizing the recommended cycle track network will be set up at the CORE Shopping Centre, +15 level by Holt Renfrew (324-8 Avenue S.W.), from Thursday, April 10, to Friday, April 18.

Lower deck of Centre Street Bridge & Memorial Drive are now open

The lower bridge deck of the Centre Street bridge and all lanes of Memorial Drive have been reopened to traffic. Motorists are reminded to drive with care, especially in this area, as patches of ice may remain.

An early morning watermain break resulted in traffic disruption during this morning’s commute. The lower deck of the Centre Street Bridge and eastbound Memorial Drive were closed due to pooling and freezing water. As an interim measure, westbound Memorial Drive was altered to two way traffic.

Water Services quickly turned off the water source while Roads crews began to clear water and ice from the roadways. Water Services has begun to repair the break, located in the 100 block of 8 Avenue NW. Water service to approximately 20 homes has been disrupted. Emergency water has been supplied for the affected homes.

Further traffic disruptions are not expected while repairs are underway. The City would like to thank Calgarians for their patience.

Related Posts

• City crews working to re-open east-bound Memorial Drive

Planning and Development customers weigh in on their customer service experience

The City of Calgary’s Planning and Development services is focused on working with customers and businesses to build a great city. Customer service is at the core of our business. Our interactions with customers’ guide how we work together to plan, develop and protect the dynamic city we live in.

Every two years we survey our customers to assess if we are meeting their needs and identify areas for improvement.

We are proud to report that customers feel that Planning and Development services are:

•         Committed to quality customer service delivery
•         Helping to make our city safer
•         Providing quality input and feedback on applications

 The infographic below outlines some of the key findings from the 2013 Planning and Development Customer Satisfaction Survey. 

Statistics above are from 2012 and include the interactions customers were surveyed about.

Through programs such as nextCITY, we are working to continually improve our processes and access to services to meet the demands of a growing, thriving city. If you would like to share input about working with The City’s Planning & Development services, please visit calgary.ca/evoice. 

We're improving 8 Street S.W. - information session

You are invited to drop by and view the recommended plans for future improvements to 8 Street S.W. anytime during the hours indicated:

Public information session
Atrium on the main floor, University of Calgary (downtown campus)
906 - 8 Avenue S.W. 
January 30, 2014 
11 a.m. – 3 p.m.

The recommended concept plans reflect the feedback we received through the public engagement exercises that were held in early 2013, while staying true to improving the pedestrian experience. Some highlights to expect:

• Enhancing the pedestrian experience by improving areas such as sidewalks, street crossings and urban design
•  Finalizing the number of traffic lanes on 8 Street S.W. and their use
•  Establishing on-street parking options north of 8 Avenue S.W.
•  Confirming how to accommodate for bicycles between 8 Avenue S.W. and 17 Avenue S.W.

The City of Calgary is developing a public realm master plan for 8 Street S.W. between the Bow River and 17 Avenue. The goal of this plan is to create a strong vision for the corridor that enhances the pedestrian experience by focusing on improving areas such as sidewalks, street crossings and urban design. It will be the foundation for growing 8 Street S.W. as a liveable, caring and thriving place.

Report to Calgarians - nextCITY

Calgary is now well over one million people strong, together we're learning how to become a big city.

You can be part of the future of initiatives aimed at taking Calgary to the next level in its evolution.

To learn more please visit: http://calgary.ca/nextcity 

See the galleria tree structures on Stephen Avenue in a new light

New LED lighting is set to illuminate and animate the ten metallic tree structures found on Stephen Avenue Walk, located next to Bankers Hall and the CORE Shopping Centre. The new lights were turned on over the weekend, and create a new night time perspective along Calgary’s busiest downtown street.

“The galleria trees are one of the most iconic and photographed structures on Stephen Avenue Walk. This lighting design will shed new light on these structures and brighten the pedestrian environment, on what is typically a very dark downtown block”, said Graham Gerylo, Project Manager, Centre City Implementation. The new lighting design includes colour LED spotlights which illuminate the ‘trunk’ and linear LED fixtures that outline the top ‘branches’ of the tree structures. In addition, theatrical spotlights cast a mottled light pattern onto the underlying sidewalk and roadway, brightening the streetscape.

“Enhancing the lighting of architectural landmarks and structures in the downtown area is a Centre City focus. In the winter months, Calgary can be a very dark city. Lighting features like this help to create a more vibrant and inviting environment for Calgarians and our visitors to enjoy”, said Gerylo.

The Calgary Downtown Association will operate and program these lights moving forward, which have the capability to be animated throughout the evenings and for special events.

Imagine this block and the trees lit up green for St. Patrick’s Day:

Or Red when our Calgary Flames or Stampeders are playing:

If you would like more information about this project please contact 311.  Members of the media can also contact The City of Calgary’s media relations line at 403-828-2954.