Stephen Avenue revitalization work completed ahead of summer festival season

Calgarians and visitors can enjoy a renewed Stephen Avenue between 1st St SE and Centre St as patios reopen in time for Stampede.

The City of Calgary has completed our renovation of the Stephen Avenue Revitalization Project between 1 Street S.E. and Centre Street, marking a major milestone in the renewal of one of Calgary’s most iconic downtown destinations.

With construction now substantially complete, patios and public spaces along the block are able to reopen in time for the Calgary Stampede. Calgarians and visitors will be able to fully enjoy the renewed space – walking along a curb-free block among new trees, relaxing on new benches, or enjoying a meal with friends and family on renewed patio spaces as downtown welcomes thousands of residents and guests this summer. Above ground, the renewed streetscape supports everyday use, festivals, events and outdoor dining, featuring durable granite pavers, enhanced lighting, and power outlets, making it easier to bring public events to the avenue.

Beneath the surface, the project replaced aging water, stormwater, power and lighting infrastructure to improve reliability, resiliency and long-term service in Calgary’s downtown core. Some of the utilities beneath this block of Stephen Avenue were more than 100 years old and required replacement to ensure the avenue can continue serving Calgarians in the coming years.

Stephen Avenue has been at the heart of downtown Calgary for generations. Investing in the avenue’s future is an investment in our city’s future. By replacing critical infrastructure and creating a more welcoming public space, The City is helping ensure Stephen Avenue remains a destination for residents, businesses and visitors in the years ahead.

Throughout construction, we worked closely with businesses, property owners, community partners and Calgarians to maintain access, provide regular updates and respond to operational concerns. The City is also committed to continued support for  businesses along the block impacted by construction.

“Completing a project of this scale in the heart of downtown required close collaboration every step of the way,” says 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.”

“Stephen Avenue is one of Calgary’s most important public spaces and a vital destination for downtown businesses, workers, residents, and visitors,” says Andrew Doudican, Director of Urban Strategy, Calgary Downtown Association. “The completion of this first phase allows businesses to fully welcome customers back for what promises to be a busy summer season. 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.”

The completion of this work represents an important investment in the long-term future of downtown Calgary. The project’s long-term vision is to create a more vibrant, accessible and flexible Stephen Avenue in the heart of downtown throughout the year. Funding for the renovation of future blocks of Stephen Avenue will be considered as part of the next four-year budget cycle.

For more information about the Stephen Avenue Revitalization Project, visit  Calgary.ca/StephenAvenue.

Courtesy: The City of Calgary Newsroom