Stephen Avenue
More than ever. Like never before. The Future of Stephen Avenue
Imagining the Future of Stephen Avenue
The City is investing in the future and transforming, modernizing and reinventing Stephen Avenue.
We are on an exciting journey to reimagine Stephen Avenue and position it for a renewed era of success. As a flagship project for Calgary’s Downtown Strategy, The Future of Stephen Avenue project provides a foundation for The City to collaborate with Calgarians to consider and implement strategic improvements – whether near, medium or longer term – that will re-position Stephen Avenue, and ensure its future as Calgary’s hallmark downtown main street.
In the current phase of the project, The City is developing a streetscape master plan that will layout how the future of Stephen Avenue looks, feels and is experienced by Calgarians and visitors. Together, we can help Stephen Avenue realize its potential, and grow into a world-class downtown main street that all Calgarians can be proud of.
Join us to learn more
Let’s transform Stephen Avenue together.
Please join us at one of our virtual information sessions to learn more about the conceptual design for the Future of Stephen Avenue, meet our project team, and ask questions.
Wednesday, Feb. 15, 5:30 – 7 p.m.
Virtual presentation (Microsoft Teams)
We want your input on the conceptual designs for the future of Stephen Avenue, which will be available to the public on Feb. 6, 2023.
We’ll be collecting feedback on the project between Feb. 6 – 28, 2023. at engage.calgary.ca/stephenavenue
The Roadmap for the future
From 2019 through 2020, the Future of Stephen Avenue project kicked off its first phase with a public realm study that provided a vision and roadmap for the future success of Stephen Avenue. Throughout the public realm study process, citizens and partners were engaged to understand challenges and opportunities for Stephen Avenue and define what success looks like. The insights from engagement were fundamental in the development of the Future of Stephen Avenue Phase 1: Public Realm Action Plan.
In Phase 1 of the project, a vision for the Future of Stephen Avenue was created:
Stephen Avenue is Calgary’s main connector to arts, culture and commerce and offers a stage for experimentation and innovation.
A 21st century street, Stephen Avenue links Calgary’s walkable urban core to its neighbourhoods through a great public realm. Active day and night, and throughout the year, Stephen Avenue is a catalyst for a resilient economy, enabling adaptation towards Calgary’s future. As Calgary’s premier local and tourist destination, Stephen Avenue fosters social interaction, civic gathering, and community pride.
Please read the Public Realm Action Plan (above) to learn more about Phase 1 of the project, public engagement and how this vision was established.
Where we are now – Phase 2
In the current phase of the project, we want to create a streetscape master plan and conceptual design for Stephen Avenue that are both bold and outside the box. The City is creating a conceptual design for Stephen Avenue to ensure that it is an active, vibrant, year–round destination for culture and business,
We want Stephen Avenue to be inviting for people from all walks of life, so they’re excited to visit more often and stay longer.
What is a Streetscape Master Plan?
A Streetscape Master Plan is more than improved connectivity, accessibility, safety and beautification for a street. It is about place-making, creating vibrant places that put a priority on sociability, access and linkages, comfort and image, and uses and activity.
What are we doing in Phase 2:
- Developing a streetscape master plan and design that delivers on the vision from Phase 1
- Engaging with Calgarians and visitors on foundational design ideas that will make Stephen Avenue more diverse, vibrant, and inclusive year-round
- Exploring programming and activation opportunities that will build on Stephen Avenue’s place as a downtown destination