Better Every Day 2024 Q2 -Q3 Downtown Revitalization

As summer comes to an end, it’s a great time to reflect on the successes and challenges we faced in the past months. We came together to respond to the initial break on the Bearspaw South Feeder Main, to address the hotspots in need of immediate repair and we’re once again coming together in a planned manner to conduct additional repairs to ensure water continues to flow safely to Calgarians. We hosted a record-breaking Stampede. We broke ground for our new event centre, Scotia Place. We helped our neighbours fleeing the tragic Jasper wildfire. These are just a few of the projects we tackled, and they all demonstrate how collaboration, resiliency and determination are essential in the face of adversity.

These qualities also apply when it comes to our approach for downtown revitalization, which brings us to the theme of this edition of Better Every Day. When you think of the economic recovery of downtown Calgary, occupancy rates and office towers often dominate the conversation. It’s easy to forget that revitalization goes beyond real estate. We need to make downtown a place where people are excited to live, work, play, visit and set up a business. A key part of Calgary’s Greater Downtown Plan is dedicated to creating vibrancy.

Through Calgary Economic Development’s Opportunity Calgary Investment Fund, we’re also working to make strategic investments in cutting-edge technology spaces that will incubate local talent while attracting global attention.

In this issue, we’ll introduce you to the people and projects that are building a true feeling of vibrancy in downtown Calgary. From a new esports arena and riverside improvements to addressing food insecurity, you might find yourself pleasantly surprised at the unique ways vibrancy is growing in our core. I hope these stories inspire you to explore one of our city’s greatest urban playgrounds this fall. 

David Duckworth, P. Eng, MBA