PROJECT OVERVIEW
The streetscape master plan for Centre Street North sets the vision for how the corridor may look and feel in the future, and aims to create a vibrant, safe and welcoming pedestrian environment.
A conceptual master plan has been developed for Centre Street N. from the new Bow River LRT bridge landing north to 17 Avenue N.
FAQs
To help guide the redevelopment of Centre Street North, a streetscape master plan is being developed as part of the Green Line project.
A streetscape master plan is an overall guiding document that will help us determine how Centre Street North will look and feel in the future.
The master plan considers mobility, accessibility, safety and comfort and how the street can be green to support community health.
It speaks to elements such as sidewalks, landscaping, lighting, site furniture and other elements you typically find in a street environment.
It also explores opportunities to create vibrant places along the corridor that promote social connections and support the economic vitality of businesses and future development.
The boundary for the Centre Street North Streetscape Master Plan extends from 18 Avenue North, to the north end of the Centre Street Bridge.
- Some of the improvements that Green Line will deliver may include: Safe, signalized, well-marked pedestrian crossings at regular and predictable intervals; Consistent sidewalk materials with a clear walking area; Improved streetscape character with new site furnishings such as seating areas, bike racks, pedestrian lighting, street trees and landscaping.
- Other improvements that Green Line will enable may include opportunities to work with private land owners, businesses and community organizations such as the BIA (Business Improvement Area) to develop better integration between public sidewalks and private property; Community gathering spaces and/or patio spaces; Community placemaking through temporary installations, banners, and/or custom furniture.
Yes, one of the objectives of the Streetscape Master Plan is to improve safety. We're looking into providing crosswalks at new traffic signals to make crossing the street safer. Improved accessibility, improved lighting, more consistent paving and clear walking areas will also help pedestrians feel safer and more comfortable on the street.
Designs for the streetscape will consider operations and maintenance needs. Some elements of the streetscape will be delivered as part of Green Line’s commitment to rebuilding Centre Street N, these will include the main components such as sidewalks, site furniture, trees, lighting, seating, and bike racks and will be maintained by the City. Other components such as banners, seasonal lighting or other placemaking features would be explored with partners such as the BIA who may share in the maintenance and operations of these features.
THE STREETSCAPE MASTER PLAN
A conceptual streetscape master plan has been developed that responds to the engineering design of the LRT system and roadway, and which reflects the communities desire for a more comfortable and attractive pedestrian environment.
For much of the corridor, sidewalks will be wide enough to comfortably allow high volumes of pedestrian traffic to freely move about while also providing space to plant trees and provide other streetscape elements such as benches and bike racks. Along a limited number of blocks, the sidewalk width will be narrower and there will not be space available for trees or other site furnishings.
Review the proposed Streetscape Master Plan in detail here or click through the tabs below to learn more about each zone.
STREETSCAPE ELEMENTS
A variety of streetscape elements will be used to establish a new identify for Centre Street N.
Below are descriptions of key elements that will be incorporated into the streetscape master plan. In the block plan images, you will see a legend of numbered elements that match the descriptions below.
Accessible/universal design elements, such as tactile (textured) surfaces at crosswalks, will be built into the streetscape design.
Benches will provide pedestrians with places to stop and rest.
Bike racks and spaces for e-scooter parking will be located along the corridor and adjacent to LRT stations.
Bollards or leaning rails could be used in areas with narrow sidewalks to create a visual separation between pedestrians and the adjacent roadway.
Areas to incorporate community placemaking and identify features have been identified along the corridor to help create a sense of place.
Intersection treatments will be designed to bring attention to pedestrians and encourage motorists to yield to at crosswalks.
Raised planters can be used to provide rest spaces and/or additional greenery in areas where tree planting is not possible.
Specialized infrastructure to support operations of the LRT
Pedestrian zones will be illuminated with bright and consistent lighting to create a safe and comfortable public realm.
Zone designed to provide clear sidewalk space for people to move by foot, wheelchair or scooter.
Contrasting sidewalk materials, textures and colours will be used to define clear walk zones from the tree and furnishing zone.
Trees are an important to improve the look of the street and provide shade and comfort for people.
Place to purchase transit tickets
Waste and recycling bins will be provided in locations that are conveniently accessible to pedestrians.
There are two sets of tabs for you to click through and review each zone block-by-block.
CENTRE ST. BRIDGE TO 7 AVENUE
ESCARPMENT ZONE (CENTRE STREET BRIDGE TO 7 AVENUE)
The escarpment borders the Centre Street bridge to the south and 7 Avenue to the north. This area is defined by steep slopes with trees, shrubs and grass on both sides of the street. A new 4 metre wide multi-use pathway is proposed for the east side of the street. This multi-use pathway will better accommodate the high volumes of people that use this route and create safer passing distance for all modes of travel (walking and wheeling). The pathway will connect the neighbourhood of Crescent Heights to downtown Calgary, the new LRT bridge multi-use pathway and the neighbourhood of Eau Claire.
Key streetscape design elements to be provided in the escarpment area include:
- 4 metre wide multi-use pathway on the east side of Centre Street N.
- Pedestrian lighting along the pathway
- Barriers between the pathway and vehicle traffic
- Potential to collaborate with the Community Association or Business Improvement Area to install placemaking or gateway features announcing the entry into Crescent Heights
7 AVENUE TO 9 AVENUE
STATION ZONE (7 Avenue N. to 9 Avenue N.)
Defined by the 9 Avenue N. LRT station, this section of the corridor marks the official gateway from the escarpment zone into the neighbourhood of Crescent Heights. This section of the corridor aims to provide a 3 metre wide pedestrian zone adjacent to the LRT station entrances and crosswalks, ensuring ample space for all transit users. The design concept also identifies potential space to incorporate placemaking elements unique to Crescent Heights.
Key streetscape design elements to be provided in this area include:
- Minimum 3 metre wide clear pedestrian zone adjacent to the station access points
- Street tree planting buffering the pedestrian zone from vehicle traffic
- Pedestrian scale lighting
- Potential transit plaza and gathering space with amenities such as seating, bicycle and scooter parking, tree planting and ticket payment machines
- Potential to collaborate with the Community Association or Business Improvement Area to provide gateway or community placemaking features
- Site elements including seating, waste bins, raised planters and visually contrasting sidewalk materials
9 AVENUE TO 11 AVENUE
STREETSCAPE ZONE (9 Avenue N. TO 11 Avenue N.)
BLOCK IMAGES
A varied public realm makes up the majority of these two blocks. The width of the sidewalks between 9 Avenue N. and 10 Avenue N. and along the east side of the block between 10 Avenue N. and 11 Avenue N. will provide for a 3 metre wide pedestrian zones and as well as space for street trees and other furnishings. The sidewalk width on the west side of the block between 10 Avenue N. and 11 Avenue N. is narrower and will not accommodate street trees or extensive site furnishings,in this narrower area, the design team will work with adjacent landowners to explore opportunities to improve the pedestrian environment at the public / private interface.
Key streetscape design elements to be provided in this area include:
- 2 metre – 3 metre wide clear pedestrian zones
- Street tree planting to provide a buffer between the pedestrian zone and vehicle traffic (in areas with wider sidewalks)
- Pedestrian scale lighting
- Vertical elements such as bollards, railings and pedestrian lighting to create a buffer between pedestrians and vehicle traffic (in areas with narrower sidewalks)
- Site elements including benches, waste bins, raised planters with integrated seating and visually contrasting sidewalk material
11 AVENUE TO 14 AVENUE
STREETSCAPE ZONE (11 Avenue N. TO 14 Avenue N.)
These blocks have a varied public realm with many areas providing room for both a 3 metre wide pedestrian zone and a tree and furniture zone, while other sections will have narrower sidewalks where a clear and comfortable pedestrian zone has been prioritized over providing streetscape elements such as street trees and site furnishings. As the planning and design progresses, The City will work with adjacent landowners to explore opportunities to improve the pedestrian environment at the public and private interface in the narrow areas.
Key streetscape design elements to be provided in this area include:
- 2 metre – 3 metre wide clear pedestrian zones
- Street tree planting to provide a buffer between the pedestrian zone and vehicle traffic (in areas with wider sidewalks)
- Pedestrian scale lighting
- Vertical elements such as bollards, railings and pedestrian lighting to create a buffer between pedestrians and vehicle traffic (in areas with narrower sidewalks)
- Site elements including benches, waste bins, raised planters with integrated seating and visually contrasting sidewalk materials
14 AVENUE TO 16 AVENUE
STATION ZONE (14 Avenue N. TO 16 Avenue N.)
Defined by the 16 Avenue N. LRT station, this area marks the official gateway between the neighbourhoods of Crescent Heights and Tuxedo Park. The streetscape design prioritizes pedestrian movement and connections between the Green Line LRT 16 Avenue station and adjacent BRT stations. Wider sidewalks are provided to accommodate the high volumes of pedestrians that are anticipated to travel through this area and connect with the adjacent community and future transit-oriented development.
Key streetscape design elements to be provided in this area include:
- 3 metre wide clear pedestrian zone adjacent to the station access points
- Street tree planting to provide a buffer between the pedestrian zone and vehicle traffic
- Pedestrian scale lighting
- Transit-specific site elements such as wide pedestrian zones at crossings, bicycle and scooter parking, ticket payment machines and integrated planters with seating opportunities to promote community gathering and discourage jaywalking near station areas
- Potential to collaborate with the Community Association or Business Improvement Area to install gateway or community placemaking features
16 AVENUE TO 17 AVENUE
STREETSCAPE ZONE (16 Avenue TO 17 Avenue N.)
With the temporary end of the Green Line LRT at 16 Avenue N., the connection across the intersection and to the north aims to transition the streetscape to tie into the existing conditions at 17 Avenue N. Special consideration will be placed on improving pedestrian safety at crosswalks and to provide wayfinding between the LRT and BRT stations, while also creating a well-connected public realm from the transit stops into the neighbourhood.
As a result of the infrastructure required to transition from an LRT corridor to an existing street, a temporary traffic island has been established on the north side of the 16 Avenue intersection. The streetscape master plan recommends that the island be converted into a landscape area that incorporate design elements such as decorative shrubs and grass planting, and gateway and community placemaking features.
Key streetscape design elements to provided in this area include:
- 2 metre – 3 metre wide clear pedestrian zones
- Street tree planting to provide a buffer between the pedestrian zone and vehicle traffic
- Pedestrian scale lighting
- Vertical elements such as bollards, railings and pedestrian lighting to create a buffer between pedestrians and vehicle traffic (in areas with narrower sidewalks)
- Site elements including seating, waste bins and visually contrasting sidewalk materials
- Wayfinding between the BRT and LRT station
