ABOUT THE PROJECT

The City of Calgary is starting the process of amending the Beltline Area Redevelopment Plan (ARP) to create policies that will guide future development of the Rivers District area – a 286 acre portion of land in downtown Calgary’s east end (which includes east Victoria Park). The Beltline ARP was adopted by City Council on May 15, 2006. Over the last 12 years, the area has experienced significant growth, transforming into a vibrant diverse community. A number of projects are contributing to the need for ARP amendments, including a new Rivers District Master Plan being created by Calgary Municipal Land Corporation (CMLC), the 17 Avenue S.W. extension project and the arrival of the Green Line.

This area is envisioned to become the cultural and entertainment district of Calgary. The goal of the Beltline ARP amendments are to realize the vision described by CMLC’s Rivers District Master Plan, and to put in place the policies and framework to help guide the development of this cultural and entertainment district.


BACKGROUND

What is an ARP?

An Area Redevelopment Plan (ARP) is a long-range planning document that is developed collaboratively between City staff and stakeholders. A statutory plan which is approved by City Council, an ARP outlines a vision and policy for a specific community, and provides alignment with regulations set out in the Municipal Government Act. An ARP also directs the redevelopment, preservation or rehabilitation of existing lands and buildings, generally within developed areas of the city.


What is the Rivers District Master Plan?

In 2017, CMLC embarked on a master plan process to create a cohesive, forward-thinking vision for what is envisioned as Calgary’s cultural and entertainment district. Ultimately, CMLC imagines the district as a vibrant, high-density, mixed-use community that will see more than 8,000 new residents move into the community and approximately four million square feet of development over the next 20 years. The master plan vision respects the beauty of the Rivers Districts natural surroundings, its cultural heritage and the spirit of entertainment that is active in the area today. The master plan seeks to integrate the existing urban fabric, including several historic buildings, Stampede Park and the Elbow River, and reshape the community into an active, walkable, accessible community with enhanced connections. The Rivers District Master Plan will guide and accommodate a variety of entertainment and cultural amenities.

STUDY AREA

Study Area Boundary

Map showing the Rivers District Study Area Boundary and the Beltline ARP Boundary.

This project will focus on the area highlighted in red, or the Rivers District area (which includes east Victoria Park). It is bounded by the CP railway tracks to the north, 1 Street S.E. to the west and the Elbow River to the east and south.

PROPOSED PLAN

The proposed plans of the Beltline ARP are now available for review:

Part 2: East Victoria Park Area is the plan for the entertainment and cultural district. This plan provides policy to support a mixed-use high density community, with a variety of arts and cultural amenities, performance spaces, expanded conference centre, and potential events centre.

To support the implementation of the ARP amendments, land use bylaw amendments are proposed to align the densities in the Centre City Mixed Use District (CC-X) and the Rules Governing Centre City Bonus Overlays with the Land Use Concept and Density Areas Maps in the Area Redevelopment Plan. The land use bylaw amendments provide for a density bonus system that focuses on providing new arts and cultural amenities in the area, as well as incentives for connecting to the district energy system.

YOUR INPUT

The engagement program for the Beltline ARP amendments project is now complete.

City has collected feedback from citizens about Calgary’s future cultural and entertainment district and draft concepts for the amended Area Redevelopment Plan. In our first phase of engagement this past Spring we engaged with citizens to learn about their vision for the future of this area. In phase two we were seeking your feedback into draft proposed concepts for the area.

To review findings from our engagement program, please review these reports.


Findings from the public engagement program have been included in the reports to Calgary Planning Commission, Committee and Council.

Phase Two Engagement

PROVIDE YOUR INPUT

After reviewing the information panels shared above, please provide your answers below.

VISION

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ACTIVE MODES

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BUILDING ILLUMINATION

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TRANSIT CONNECTIONS

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PARKS, OPEN SPACES & PLAZAS

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GENERAL COMMENTS

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Phase One Engagement

ABOUT YOU

This question is optional and the information is being collected to ensure we are reaching Calgarians city-wide.

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2. How did you hear about this project?

(please select all that apply)

TELL US ABOUT YOUR CURRENT USE OF THE AREA

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6. Are there any barriers/ challenges that currently exist and prevent you from enjoying the area?

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TELL US ABOUT THE FUTURE OF THE AREA

7. In your opinion what does a world-class cultural and entertainment district offer?

(please select all that apply)

8. What attributes would make the Rivers District a great neighbourhood to live in?

(please select all that apply)

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10. Based on the images/icons below, what development styles would you consider appropriate for this area?

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THE RIVERS DISTRICT MASTER PLAN VISION

The Rivers District Master Plan is a twenty year vision that imagines east Victoria Park as a mixed-use cultural and entertainment district that is inspired by its entertainment DNA. The master plan seeks to create a cohesive vision for the community that will balance new residential development offerings for some 8000 new residents, over 4 million square feet mixed-use development, vibrant walkable streets and establishing critical connectors in and out of the district.

11. Based on the vision above what experiences are most important to you?

(Please select your top three choices ) * * Note: These are subject to future project approval

12. Based on the vision above what experiences are least important to you?

(Please select your top three choices ) ** Note: These are subject to future project approval

GENERAL FEEDBACK

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TELL US ABOUT THE ENGAGEMENT

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The survey form is now closed. Thanks for your contributions.

NEXT STEPS

The City will be presenting the proposed plan to Calgary Planning Commission on March 21, 2019, SPC on Planning and Urban Development on April 3, 2019 and ultimately to Council on April 29, 2019

All engagement results collected through our engagement program will be provided to Calgary Planning Commission, Committee and City Council prior to final decisions being made.

Participate at the Public Hearing of Council

This isn’t the final decision for the plan. You can still get involved by submitting your written comments to City Administration or members of Council, and by attending the Public Hearing of Council. The public hearing will be held on April 29, 2019.

You can speak directly to Council at the hearing or submit written comments to the City Clerk’s office in advance. To ensure you are prepared for the hearing, please keep in mind the following:

  • if you attend the hearing in person, you are given five minutes to speak, excluding any questions Council members may ask of you
  • your comments should be brief and address land use planning issues

To watch the Public Hearing of Council online, click here.

To learn more about how to attend and present to Council, click here.