Sunalta Main Street
Project update – March 2025
We’re starting exciting conversations about the future of 10 Avenue SW in Sunalta! This spring, we’re beginning the community engagement phase of the Sunalta Main Street project.
Right now, construction is not funded. Our goal in this phase is to explore ideas and hear from the community. Your feedback will help shape a draft design, which may be used to help guide future funding and planning.
Construction could begin as early as 2028, but this depends on future approvals and available budget.
We’re looking at ways to possibly improve the street design and infrastructure to make the area safer, more welcoming, and easier for walking, biking, and supporting local businesses.
We’ll share more updates as the design work continues.
Great News!
You can help shape the future of 10th Avenue in Sunalta!
We’re putting together a Co-Design Group to help plan the next Main Street, and we want to hear from you. This is your chance to share your ideas and help create a fun, welcoming space for everyone in the community.
Interested? Fill out the form below by April 15 to get involved:
Working with the community
We’re using a co-design process to involve the community in shaping the future of 10 Avenue SW. This means we will work with residents, businesses, and community groups to share ideas and explore options together.
This approach helps build trust, gather diverse views, and create a stronger sense of community ownership over the final design.
Timeline
- 2025 – Streetscape design report
- 2026–2027 – Design development & planning
- 2028+ – Construction begins if funding is approved
Have questions?
Email us about the Sunalta Main Street project.
Project area
Main focus: 10 Avenue SW (from Bow Trail to 14 Street SW)
Additional study: 14 Street SW (from north of 17 Avenue SW to the Bow River)
The vision for the Sunalta Main Street project is to create a welcoming and pedestrian-friendly space that enhances safety, accessibility, and community connections. Once complete, it will support local businesses, provide new gathering spaces, and reflect Sunalta’s unique character.
Background
The Sunalta Main Street project follows the four key goals of Calgary’s Main Streets Program. These goals help guide how we improve and redesign important streets in the city.
For 10 Avenue SW and 14 Street SW, we’re focusing on four main areas to make these streets better for everyone:
Boosting local business and community life
14 Street SW runs between the Beltline and Sunalta. Right now, it’s mostly used by cars. But it could become a much more welcoming place with better features, services, and ways to bring the two neighborhoods together.
10 Avenue SW already has some great local spots like breweries and artist-run spaces. It also has bike lanes and transit access, but these connections could be improved. The sidewalks are uneven, and the street infrastructure is getting old. We want to create safer and more comfortable spaces for people to enjoy themselves as they walk or travel through the area.
Improving how people move around
We’re following the Calgary Transportation Plan to help people walk, bike, or roll more easily on these streets. Updating the streets with better sidewalks, bike lanes, and transit stops will make it easier for everyone to get where they need to go. These changes will also support a more inclusive and diverse community by giving people more choices about how they travel.
Bringing out the street’s unique identity
Both 10 Avenue SW and 14 Street SW have their own character, shaped by the people who live and spend time there. We want to work with the community to better understand what makes these streets special and how to highlight those features in the redesign.
We’re also seeing positive changes at the Sunalta Community Hall. It’s being transformed into a hub with a coffee shop, commercial kitchen, and spaces for community programs. The hub will help fund local events and services by working as a social enterprise.
Creating a greener and healthier Street
Right now, 10 Avenue SW and 14 Street SW don’t have many trees or plants, and that can make them feel uninviting. In some areas, overgrown shrubs block visibility and make people feel unsafe.
We want to add more trees and greenery. A full tree canopy will:
- Improve air and water quality
- Offer shade and protection
- Make the street look better
- Encourage more people to walk and spend time there
These changes also support Calgary’s climate goals for 2050, which aim to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 80% compared to 2005. Since transportation makes up about 34% of the city’s emissions, redesigning our streets is an important step.
If the design process shows a need, we may also include electric vehicle charging stations, better bus stops, and more walking and biking paths to support climate-friendly travel.
Looking to the Future
Main Streets like this one get special attention and funding because they’re important for Calgary’s future. That means building streets that last, planning for future changes, and making sure they help create a healthier and more sustainable city for everyone.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this project about?
We’re redesigning 10 Avenue SW to improve sidewalks, transit access, and overall public space.
Will this affect property values?
Not right away. You might see changes a few years after construction is finished.
Will there be road closures during construction?
Construction is still a few years away. Specific plans are not yet finalized.