Main Streets
Main Streets
Calgary’s Main Streets are places where people come together. These streets have a mix of commercial and residential buildings. They are made better by various transportation options and attractive streetscapes. They are places where Calgarians want to go, enjoy, and connect as a community.
Program overview
The Main Streets Program aims to revitalize the heart of established communities and prepare them for growth and change. It gives communities the infrastructure they need to support new commercial and residential developments and growing populations.
Calgary's Municipal Development Plan has identified several Main Street locations as important transportation and commercial areas. These streets were chosen because they can handle future growth, transit-friendly road infrastructure, and mixed-use buildings.
Additional Main Streets Program investments were approved by Council for the 2023-2026 budget cycle. Two locations are currently under construction: Bridgeland (Edmonton Trail NE/1st Avenue NE) and Marda Loop (33rd and 34th Avenue SW). Improvements are officially complete along 17 Avenue SW (from Crowchild Trail to 37 Street SW) and, along 37 Street SW (from Bow Trail SW to Richmond Road SW) and Montgomery (Bowness Rd NW).
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Investing in established communities projects map
Explore this interactive map to stay updated on public realm investments in established communities.
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Questions about the Main Streets Program?
Projects in progress
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33 and 34 Avenues S.W.
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Phase 2 – 1 Avenue N.E.
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10 Avenue S.W.
Four core Main Street principles
Four principles ensure each Main Street is meaningfully planned and holistically designed, while also considering the many facets of a successful Main Street.
Healthy and social lifestyle
The street is safe and easy to access, with places for people to meet and gather. Street trees provide clean air, and there are opportunities for healthy activities like walking, running, and cycling.
Character and identity
Main Streets with a strong character and identity are memorable and unique. Character and identity can come from things like heritage buildings, events, public amenities like benches, cultural diversity, and activities.
Mobility and functionality
Designs make sure the streets are safe for different types of travel, like walking, cycling, driving, or using transit. They work for people of all ages and abilities.
Economic vitality
The businesses and activities along a Main Street help the community's economy. Streetscape design, community events, and redevelopment opportunities encourage more people to work, live, and play on Calgary’s Main Streets.
Five stages to Main Streets
The City's Main Streets Program started in 2014. It uses a five-step plan to carefully design and build each street. We want to finish all Main Streets quickly, but projects in Calgary are at different stages and might take years to complete. This is due to the availability of funding and City priorities.
Stage 1
Stage 1
Strategize
24 streets in established neighbourhoods were chosen as Main Streets. All Main Streets have had two years of public engagement. Economic studies, market analysis and plans for design and building have also been made.
Stage 2
Stage 2
Plan
The planning stage focuses on changing policies to allow more people to live in the area, a variety of building types, and better access transportation options. Projects in this stage are going through changes in land use, updates to local plans, and regular checks on infrastructure capacity. The Municipal Development Plan (MDP), local area plans, the Land Use Bylaw, and citizen feedback are all considered when making policy changes.
Stage 3
Stage 3
Design
The design stage includes three phases of public engagement and the creation of a streetscape master plan. The master plan drawings show the project vision and basic designs for the proposed improvements based on feedback from the public and core principles. If funding is available, construction drawings may be completed in this phase to prepare the project for construction.
Stage 4
Stage 4
Build
Once the design is finished and the project is funded, the Main Street moves into the build phase where construction starts and the community begins to change. The build phase has two parts: short-term investments and permanent construction. Short-term investments include community-focused pilot projects, test ideas, and urgent improvements. These can include traffic calming measures, temporary park spaces, and pedestrian area improvements. Permanent construction means the long-term transformation of the main street based on the streetscape master plan.
Stage 5
Stage 5
Live
Once construction is finished, The City and the community will work together to maintain the area to make sure that the Main Street supports the four main principles of the Main Streets Program.
Completed projects
Improvements to Montgomery, 17 Avenue S.W. and 37 Street S.W. have provided the right characteristics to attract more Calgarians to live, work, and play in the area, as well as attracted private investment which continues to add vibrancy to these communities. The results of the new street design provide better spaces for people of all ages to gather and connect.
Montgomery (Bowness Road)
Completed in fall 2021 | View the Master Plan
The Montgomery (Bowness Road) project was the first Main Street to be completed as part of The City's Main Streets program. Construction on Bowness Road began in 2020 and was completed in 2021.
The updated streetscape includes:
- New road surface on Bowness Road from MacKay Road to west of 52 Street N.W.
- A multi-use pathway and sidewalk on both sides of Bowness Road.
- Enhanced pedestrian crossings through the corridor for safety.
- Better access to transit stops.
- Intersection improvements, for drivers, cyclists and pedestrians.
- New street lighting along the corridor.
- New landscaping and amenities to make the street a destination.
- Burying the overhead power lines at Bowness Road and 52 Street N.W.
- Upgraded traffic signals at Bowness Road and Home Road NW
Montgomery (Bowness Road) Main Street
Montgomery (Bowness Road) Main Street
Montgomery (Bowness Road) Main Street
Montgomery (Bowness Road) Main Street
Montgomery (Bowness Road) Main Street
Montgomery (Bowness Road) Main Street
Montgomery (Bowness Road) Main Street
17 Avenue S.W. (37 Street S.W. to Crowchild Trail)
Completed in spring 2023 | View the Master Plan
The 17 Avenue S.W. project was the second Main Street to be completed as part of The City's Main Streets program. Construction began in 2022 and was completed in 2023.
The updated streetscape includes:
- Curb extensions and signal upgrades to improve pedestrian crossings.
- Sidewalk improvements.
- Enhanced landscaping; including increasing the urban tree canopy.
- Wider sidewalks on both sides of the bridge over Crowchild Trail at 17 Avenue.
- Water and sanitary main upgrades on 17 Avenue between 28 Street and 26 Street, and on 26 Street between 17 Avenue and Bow Trail.
- Utility upgrades.
- Curb extensions at four intersections near the Alexander Ferguson School as part of the Community Mobility Initiative program.
17 Avenue S.W. (37 Street S.W. to Crowchild Trail) Main Street
17 Avenue S.W. (37 Street S.W. to Crowchild Trail) Main Street
17 Avenue S.W. (37 Street S.W. to Crowchild Trail) Main Street
37 Street S.W. (Bow Trail to Richmond Road S.W.)
Completed in spring 2024 | View the Master Plan
The 37 Street S.W. project was the third Main Street to be completed as part of The City's Main Streets program. Construction began in 2022 and was completed in 2024.
The updated streetscape includes:
- A narrowed road to slow traffic and create a boulevard, providing more separation for pedestrians from traffic.
- Additional spacing between homes on 37 Street S.W. and the street allowing enough space to plant approximately 300 new trees.
- A new road surface between Bow Trail and Richmond Road S.W.
- Making lane widths consistent down the entire boulevard.
- Enhanced pedestrian crossings through curb and sidewalk extensions and further separation from traffic.
- A multi-use pathway on the east side of 37 Street S.W.
37 Street S.W. (Bow Trail to Richmond Road S.W.) Main Street
37 Street S.W. (Bow Trail to Richmond Road S.W.) Main Street
37 Street S.W. (Bow Trail to Richmond Road S.W.) Main Street
37 Street S.W. (Bow Trail to Richmond Road S.W.) Main Street
37 Street S.W. (Bow Trail to Richmond Road S.W.) Main Street
37 Street S.W. (Bow Trail to Richmond Road S.W.) Main Street
37 Street S.W. (Bow Trail to Richmond Road S.W.) Main Street
Frequently asked questions
What is a Main Street?
A Main Street is the cultural, social and economic focal point of a community. Main Streets are the heart of the community. They are designed to be lively and have many different uses, like shops, offices, and various types of homes. This helps support a higher number of people living and working there. Main Streets are places where people can live, meet, and enjoy a variety of activities together.
Why do we need a Main Streets Program?
To reach their full potential, Calgary’s Main Streets need both public and private investment. The Main Streets Program includes changes to land use to support new development and a streetscape master plan to guide these changes. This plan helps build everything in an organized way. More development will bring more people and jobs to the community, making the area more appealing to local businesses and residents.
What makes a vibrant Main Street?
A vibrant Main Street is strong, flexible, and appealing. Main Streets show the community's character by being welcoming, safe, attractive, and memorable. They have a mix of businesses, residents, and cultures, with both old and new buildings. This mix is supported by a land use plan and different ways to travel.
Which Main Streets are funded for construction?
Currently there are six Main Streets funded for construction. Depending on budget limitations some Main Streets are only funded for a portion of the design that will address the community’s highest needs.
- 37 Street Main Street
- West 17 Avenue Main Street
- 33/34 Avenues S.W.
- Montgomery (Bowness Road) Main Street
- 1 Avenue N.E.
- Centre Street N. (funded through Green Line)
Because of budget limits, some of the Main Streets will be built in phases. Short-term improvements that meet the community's most important needs might be done first.
Why is my Main Street not currently funded for design and construction?
The Main Streets Program team has identified five Main Streets as current priorities. Once these Main Streets have been seen through to completion, we will work with Council to determine whether funding can be allocated to the next group of prioritized Main Streets.
Documents, reports and resources
Main Streets Program documents
Main Street Master Plans
Please be advised that the master plans below reflect the Council priorities and program funding of that time and are subject to change upon implementation to respond to the ever-evolving needs of Calgarians. Please see the Projects in progress webpages for the latest Main Street project information.
Planning and Urban Development Committee reports
Main Streets Metrics Survey - 2024 Snapshot Reports
- 1 Avenue NE Main Streets survey results
- 4 Street NW Main Streets survey results
- 4 Street SW Main Streets survey results
- 9 Avenue SE Main Streets survey results
- 10 Avenue SW Main Streets survey results
- 10 Street NW Main Streets survey results
- 14 Street SW Main Streets survey results
- 16 Avenue N Main Streets survey results
- 16 Avenue NW (Montgomery) Main Streets survey results
- 17 Avenue SE Main Streets survey results
- 17 Avenue SW Main Streets survey results
- 32 Avenue NE Main Streets survey results
- 33 and 34 Avenue SW Main Streets survey results
- 50 Avenue SW Main Streets survey results
- Bowness Road (Bowness) Main Streets survey results
- Bowness Road (Montgomery) Main Streets survey results
- Centre Street N Main Streets survey results
- Edmonton Trail NE Main Streets survey results
- Kensington Road NW Main Streets survey results
- Macleod Trail S Main Streets survey results
- Macleod Trail SE Main Streets survey results
- Richmond Road SW Main Streets survey results