The Stephen Avenue Revitalization Project is a major investment to renew one of Calgary’s most iconic downtown avenues into a safer, more inclusive, and flexible avenue and is replacing critical underground utilities that were up to 100 years old. The goal is also to create a more vibrant, inclusive, and flexible main street that serves residents, visitors, and businesses year-round.  

The project will ultimately revitalize Stephen Avenue from 1 St. S.E. to 11 St. S.W. Phase 1 of the project, from 1 St. S.E. to Centre Street. Future phases of the project are not yet scheduled.

The project was launched in 2019, with public engagement. A Public Realm Study and Streetscape Master Plan were developed, and design concepts were tested through pilot installations between 2021 and 2022. 

Phase 1 of the construction began on Monday, July 21, 2025, starting with work on the east half of the 100 block S.E. The original construction start date of July 14 was postponed in response to concerns raised by some business owners about potential operational impacts during Calgary’s busy peak summer season. In response, The City worked directly with affected business owners and has developed a revised approach that supports both construction progress and business continuity.  

In 2026, the construction will have a scheduled pause in July and August to offset business impacts during the summer. Ahead of the 2026 Calgary Stampede, the Stephen Avenue will be fully available. Work will resume in fall 2026  and will be substantially complete by the end of 2026. 

Future phases of the project, along the remaining blocks west of Centre Street, are not yet scheduled. Future phases will be advanced through further engagement with businesses and residents, Council direction, and available funding.

The City worked closely with Stephen Avenue businesses to develop a construction plan that minimizes impacts to daily operations. While much of this work was completed, some businesses continued to share concerns about how construction could affect their operations. To address this feedback, the City chose to delay the start of construction to allow more time to refine the plan and further reduce business impacts during construction.

The infrastructure beneath Stephen Avenue, including water, power, and stormwater systems, was aging and needed to be replaced to support long-term safety and reliability. Phase 1 of the project, from 1 Street S.E. to Centre Street, upgraded these systems and now we are working on surface improvements. The timing also aligns with the planned reopening of the Glenbow Museum in 2026, helping coordinate major downtown investments.

As a pedestrian mall, public parking is not permitted in this part of Stephen Avenue.  This will remain unchanged during and after construction. However, parking is available on surrounding streets and in nearby public and private parking lots. 

To safely replace underground utilities and complete the streetscape improvements, 30 trees were removed. Of these, 8 had been removed earlier and 3 were dead. Once construction is complete in 2026, 18 new trees will be planted with advanced soil cell technology to improve tree health, stormwater management, and overall greening.

Between late 2019 and 2022, The City carried out several phases of public engagement for the Future of Stephen Avenue project, starting with storefront open houses, surveys, and workshops, and later shifting to virtual formats during the pandemic. Engagement efforts, including online presentations, pop-up events, and design workshops, gathered input from hundreds of Calgarians. Throughout the process, participants emphasized a vision for a safer, greener, year-round pedestrian-friendly space that supports local businesses and reduces evening vehicle traffic to enhance vibrancy and inclusivity.

Since November 2024, we have been holding regular meetings with Stephen Avenue businesses and services to share details on design, timelines, and construction logistics. 

The budget for Phase 1 is $36.2 million. Funding for future phases (west of Centre Street) has not yet been secured, and timing will be determined later.

Stephen Avenue remains fully open to pedestrians during construction, with clear signage and wayfinding to guide customers to all businesses and storefronts. Since November 2024. The City has been meeting regularly with affected businesses to share construction plans, timelines, and logistics. Information sessions with businesses are regularly held with businesses every week, and the project team remains committed to minimizing disruption, including thoughtful scheduling and clear communication. All construction schedules and working hours are available on project website and are regularly updated. 

The upgrades are:

• Replacing utilities (water, stormwater, lighting, power) and the surface, which will be upgraded to durable granite paving stones.   
• Providing improved power and potable water connections for activations.
• Creating a safer, more attractive pedestrian experience.
• Helping downtown remain a vibrant destination for residents, workers, and visitors.
• Strengthening tourism and support more events and festivals.

As part of the Stephen Avenue project, we are replacing the old, worn concrete surface with modern, durable granite pavers. These pavers will provide an attractive, contemporary look while requiring   less maintenance over time than concrete. They are textured and heat-treated to improve safety in winter conditions, providing a non-slip surface that supports accessibility for wheelchairs, strollers, bicycles, and other mobility devices.