One block of the Stephen Avenue revitalization is now complete and ready to take on the crowds ahead of the Calgary Stampede.
The City of Calgary said Monday that the block is substantially complete, with the entire block along Stephen Avenue curb-free, with new trees and new benches.
According to the City, the above-ground streetscape now better supports everyday use by Calgarians, along with supporting festivals, events, and outdoor dining along the strip.
Upgrades to the area include new granite pavers, enhanced lighting, and power outlets. There were also subsurface improvements to the utilities beneath the pavement, with some of the pipes more than 100 years old. Water, stormwater, power, and lighting infrastructure were upgraded in the area.
Last year, business owners were frustrated that the City of Calgary had planned to begin work on this area right after the conclusion of the Calgary Stampede. After threats of a lawsuit, then-mayor Jyoti Gondek helped broker a solution to push construction to later in the month and begin in a section where businesses were less impacted by the work.
The City of Calgary acknowledged the ongoing dialogue with business and property owners in the area.
“Completing a project of this scale in the heart of downtown required close collaboration every step of the way,” said Amy Stansky, Project Manager for The City of Calgary.
“We are grateful to the businesses, property owners, and community partners who worked with us throughout construction. Their feedback helped us maintain access, respond to challenges and successfully deliver critical infrastructure upgrades that will support Stephen Avenue and downtown Calgary for decades.”
Andrew Doudican, director of urban strategy for the Calgary Downtown Association, said that Stephen Avenue is one of the most important public spaces in the downtown.
“The completion of this first phase allows businesses to fully welcome customers back for what promises to be a busy summer season,” he said.
“We know how important a vibrant, welcoming, and economically resilient downtown is to all Calgarians and we look forward to seeing Calgarians and visitors enjoy everything Stephen Avenue has to offer.”
Phase 1 of the Stephen Avenue Revitalization project was budgeted at $36.2 million, according to the City of Calgary.
Funding for future phases of the revitalization, west of Centre Street, hasn’t yet been secured. The City said future funding will be considered as part of the next four-year budget.
