IMPLEMENTATION

The project team for the Plus 15 Wayfinding Project has prepared the video below to provide additional information including background and goals, Wayfinding System overview and why this is needed, implementation, and upcoming milestones.

Please note: the schedule is subject to change depending on factors such as complexity, supply chain, and access.

ABOUT THE PROJECT


What is the Plus 15 Wayfinding Project?

The City and its partners operate the Plus 15 network in downtown Calgary. This includes 86 bridges and over 16 km of elevated walkways that connect over 100 buildings.

This network is well-used by people who live, work, and visit downtown, but it can be a confusing place to navigate. A clear wayfinding system will make it easier to use the Plus 15 network, attracting more people and creating a better overall experience. Modernizing the Plus 15 wayfinding system will help to integrate the Plus 15 network with transit and street-level amenities, which will support Calgary’s downtown and local businesses.

Bridge sign over a door, a long rectangle with round corners. It has a dark green background with white writing. It says the building name and North to show the direction. It has a row of fishes at the bottom for decoration. The Plus 15 logo is on the left end of the sign and the icon for parking is on the right side.
Freestanding round podium with 2 maps. Both maps are multicolour and have a light tan background. One map shows the whole plus 15 network on top of a regular map with streets and buildings. The other map shows a close up of the section of the plus 15 you are in.
Street sign hanging from ceiling in bridge. It is a short and narrow rectangle with round corners. It has a black background with white writing. It says the name of the street under the bridge. There aren’t any decorations or icons.
Current street level sign to enter the plus 15 network. It has two parts. On top there is a light blue circle with the shape of a person wearing a cowboy hat who is climbing stairs. Under that, there is a blue rectangle with +15 written in white dots and the word Skywalk in yellow text

Background

The development of a comprehensive, holistic, and clear wayfinding system that makes it easier for Calgarians and visitors to access and navigate the Plus 15 network is supported by over a decade of Centre City policy, including:

  • 2007 Centre City Plan
  • 2009 Calgary Downtown Retail District Strategy
  • 2015 Centre City Urban Design Guidelines
  • 2017 Access Design Standards
  • 2019 Plus 15 Network Study
  • 2021 Calgary's Greater Downtown Plan


The 2019 Plus 15 Network Study examined concerns with the existing Plus 15 Network wayfinding system and recommended areas of improvement:

1. Clarity and Consistency of Brand Message: It was recommended that the Plus 15 network undergo a detailed audit of the current brand, and, that further work be done to create a stronger and more effective brand that reflects the goals of the Plus 15 network. Appropriate logo, font, and colour testing should be done to ensure the program is refined to be easily recognizable in all environments and appealing to the intended audience. Guidelines should be developed to allow third party users to follow set standards for Plus 15 network representation on their building’s signage and directories to ensure consistency. Communication requirements for accessibility issues should also be built into the brand standards.

2. Maps: It was recommended that the map be refined to be more schematic and easier to read at a glance, with fonts and colours that visually connect to the logo and other brand assets.

3. Awareness/Visibility: It was recommended that a holistic approach to wayfinding design and placement be developed to ensure continuity of the user experience and understanding throughout the entire Plus 15 network

ENGAGEMENT AT THE CITY

Your input, and the input of other citizens and stakeholders, helps The City understand people’s perspectives, opinions, and concerns. Personally identifying information, profanity and comments that do not meet The City's Respectful Workplace Policy will be removed.

Although it would be a great outcome, the goal of public engagement is not to reach consensus or make everyone happy. Public engagement is also not about voting or collecting representative information. Public engagement is about considering the input, ideas and perspectives of people who are interested or impacted by decisions, before decisions are made.

To learn more about engagement at The City, visit engage.calgary.ca/about.

Frequently Asked Questions

Since property owners know their properties best, it was determined that they would be able to coordinate the installation in the most efficient way. The City is asking property owners to install the signs, but will provide the signs and required installation specifications for property owners and their contractors. The City will also reimburse property owners for installation costs based on fair market value.

The City will provide detailed sign placement packages for property owners to review. Once sign placement locations are confirmed with property owners, The City will provide the new signs and the specifications for sign installation.

No, The City does not have any preferred vendors. Property owners can engage any proficient contractor to complete the sign installations as per installation specifications.

There are no electrical components for the new signs. Removal of existing signs may have electrical components to consider.

No, The City will reimburse the property owners as outlined in the Reimbursement Agreements. The City will pay the property owner an administration fee for managing the contract.

At this time, there is no set date for when the Reimbursement Agreements will be ready for the Property Owners.

The Reimbursement Agreements will cover details about reasonable installation costs, the maximum amount of installation cost approved, the approval process to follow prior to sign installation, reimbursement of administrative fees incurred by the property owner for sign installation, and the proposed deadline for property owners to complete sign installation by.