Why this project now?

• Stephen Avenue helps define the identity of Calgary’s downtown
• A vibrant Stephen Avenue is critical for attracting new businesses and tenants downtown
• Physical conditions are deteriorating – a new plan for the street is needed
• Clearly defining a path forward sends a positive message to property and business owners, and Calgarians

This project will aim to:

• Extend the energy and liveliness of the pedestrian mall westward along 8 Avenue S.W.
• Establish a new vision for Stephen Avenue that creates opportunities for private investment and redevelopment
• Create short and long-term strategies that can be implemented over time to make Stephen Avenue better for Calgarians and visitors

A path towards success

Generating a bold and compelling vision for the future of Stephen Avenue will require new ways of working and thinking for The City of Calgary and its cultural and business partners. In order for any public space to thrive, like a garden, it must be actively cultivated.

A great public space must be well located and well designed; seeded with the right combination of culture, commerce and play; and create authentic invitations for many people to care and participate in actively stewarding and caring for the space.

A new streetscape design is necessary but not sufficient to catalyze the transformation of Stephen Avenue. Great design must be paired with a robust program for economic investment and redevelopment and a strong framework for operations, maintenance and stewardship.

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Phase 1A: Craft the Vision and Roadmap

2019-2020

• Engage citizens and stakeholders to understand challenges and opportunities and define what success looks like

Phase 1B: Activate and Experiment

2020-2022

• The project moves from planning to doing by testing ideas from the roadmap
• Ideas/pilots may include governance concepts, programming, temporary street closures, short-term intersection improvements and economic development concepts

Phase 2: Capital Investment Strategy

2022

• The project will be eligible for capital funding in the November 2022 budget cycle
• Plans, pilots and evaluation will be presented to Council through a Capital Investment Strategy to seek support and funding for capital implementation

Phase 3: Design and Construction

2023

• The pilot concepts that generate desired results will be developed into more permanent, detailed designs
• These may include streetscape improvements, economic development strategies and governance concepts