Engagement for the downtown segment of the Green Line gets underway this week, and Calgarians are invited to participate in surveys and virtual information sessions.

The City of Calgary has been tasked with creating the functional plan for the downtown segment, which was mandated by the Alberta government as a part of a revised agreement to receive funding for the current approved southeast leg.

Citizens can learn more about the concept and provide feedback from Feb. 9 to March 2.

According to the engagement webpage, the downtown functional plan will help the City of Calgary accomplish a 10-15 per cent design stage, and will allow the City of Calgary to validate and refine the provincial cost estimate.

The City of Calgary is asking people to consider things like the proposed route along 10 Avenue S to 2 Street SW, connections to the Red and Blue LRT lines, public space opportunities underneath the elevated guideway, including lighting, safety and landscapes.

They also want to know about potential property and mobility impacts in the area, along with considerations for noise and vibration.

Concerns have been raised all along about the impact of an elevated Green Line in the downtown. A city report back in December 2024 said that the City of Calgary could be on the hook for millions in collateral costs related to an elevated Green Line through the downtown.

In 2019, when the City of Calgary first opted out of an elevated line and determined the downtown segment was best put underground, both the BOMA and NAOIP (downtown building operators/owners) expressed concern over an elevated line.

“These should be avoided, if possible, due to the potential for an increase in crime/decrease in public safety, and the deleterious impact to street-level commercial/retail activity, reduced sunlight at grade in these areas, loss of public realm potential and impact on surrounding real estate values,” their comments read.

Significant concerns were heard throughout the Calgary election campaign

Calgary Mayor Jeromy Farkas, at an announcement on a new downtown non-market housing project, said that he heard from citizens during the October 2025 municipal election.

“I certainly, through the campaign, I heard significant concerns from local residents as well as the business community in terms of the impact of that elevated auction. It was part of the provincial government’s requirement for continued participation,” he said.

“So, I think once that work is done, we’ll have a better understanding in terms of whether this is, in fact, the best way to go.”

One of the areas that Mayor Farkas said he wanted more information was on the Grand Central Station. This is supposed to be the hub that launches the Green Line into the downtown, but is also a location where people can connect to potential regional rail options.

“I think it’s really important for the city to go in in good faith without necessarily a predetermined outcome, but some of the concerns around economic development close to the stations, crime and safety, urban realm, I’m sure that these will be brought to the fore as part of the consultation,” Mayor Farkas said.

The Government of Alberta remains committed to the elevated option through Calgary’s downtown, but encouraged people to participate in the engagement process.

“Public consultation is an essential part of getting major infrastructure right, and we thank Calgarians for engaging in the Green Line functional planning process. It’s important that residents have a voice in shaping this project,” read an emailed statement from Transportation and Economic Corridors Minister Devin Dreeshen.

“Our government committed $1.53 billion to get the Green Line back on track and finally start construction last year. The elevated alignment avoids billions of dollars in tunnelling costs, allowing the project to reach more neighbourhoods, deliver five more stations, and boosts commuter ridership by 60 per cent. Our focus is on a transit system that’s practical, affordable, and built to serve Calgary for decades to come.”

A detailed functional plan is expected to come back to Calgary city council late in 2026.