CentreCity

Conceptual Design Submissions Revealed for the East Village Bridge

The Calgary Municipal Land Corporation (CMLC) has released the conceptual designs submitted for the East Village St. Patrick’s bridge.

Many of the design ideas were submitted by local Calgary firms, while others were submitted by companies located across Canada, the United States, Europe and Australia. Having briefly reviewed the website, there are some very exciting and interesting ideas presented!

The CMLC invites you to review the submissions and provide feedback directly through the CMLC website (starting September 26). For more information and to view the submission, check out the CMLC website at www.calgarymlc.ca and follow the “Rivers Project” link in the top menu bar.

Graham

How Safe is Our Centre City?

Well, come and find out this Thursday, September 24th. The Centre City Safety Impact team and the Calgary Downtown Association is holding a lunch and learn with updates from a number of its partners - all working towards improving safety in the core.

Also on the agenda, a discussion on the role of the citizen in creating a safe place and a presentation by Geoff Trimble of Toybox Media Incorporated. Grimble will speak about how his company created a successful social marketing campaign to address the issue of nightlife violence for Responsible Hospitality Edmonton.

So join us on Thursday!

Date: Thursday, September 24, 2009

Time: 12:00 - 1:00 pm (Doors open at 11:30 am)

Where: Glenbow Museum, ConocoPhillips Theatre (130 - 9th Avenue SE)

         

East Village Master Plan Revealed!

 

There it is, in all its conceptual glory. It's exciting to think that a beloved, historic community will soon be energized by this development. As you can see, the plan includes a mix of commercial and residential buildings, parkspace and pedestrian walkways.

The folks over at Calgary Municipal Land Corporation (CMLC) will have a video showcasing the master plan up on their website soon. Keep an eye out for it.

Centre City Parking

What do you think? Is parking a real problem for Calgary's downtown? Check out this article from today's Calgary Herald and tell us what you think.

The Top 100 Urban Thinkers

Who would you vote for? Check out Planetizen's list. Do you agree with number 29? Let us know your thoughts.

Save Beat Niq

It's been around for 14 years and has showcased over 2500 artists on its stage. Now, Beat Niq, Calgary's only venue for live jazz, may have to close its back alley door for good.

Supporters are hoping one last effort will save this Centre City jazz club. Tonight and tomorrow night, Beat Niq is holding a last-ditch membership drive with three consecutive nights of gala performances by some of Canada’s premier jazz musicians. 

Everyone is invited to come out. There will be close to 20 bands, a silent auction featuring some incredible items and a chance to save one of Calgary’s few downtown venues for live music. 

For more info visit www.beatniq.com 

Mayor's Urban Design Awards

The Mayor's Urban Design Awards are coming up! 

These biennial awards recognize the important contribution designers, architects and artists make in improving our quality of life by  producing beautiful buildings and liveable public spaces. This year's awards gala is October 28, 2009.

 

Submissions are being accepted until 4 p.m. on Tuesday, October 13, 2009. Entries are being accepted in eight categories, including:

 

• Conceptual/Theoretical Urban Design Projects
• Approved or Adopted Urban Design Plans
• Urban Architecture
• Civic Design Projects
• Urban Fragments
• Student Projects
• The Mawson Urban Design Award

More details can be found at Mayor's Urban Design Awards

 

Walkable Cities: Top U.S. Cities Revealed

Walk much? Walk Score thinks you should. The website recently took a look at 2,508 U.S.neighbourhoods in 40 cities to rank them on their walkability. See who came in first here.

Now, how would you rate Calgary when it comes to walkability? How about our Centre City?

San Francisco, California

One Year and Seven Months Today

That's how long Calgary's first automated public toilet has been up and running in the Centre City. Since opening, it has been flushed more than 70,000 times. According to August numbers, the highest average usage was on Saturdays and the lowest was mid-week on Wednesdays.

It appears the installation of public toilets is the direction more cities are moving. Today, The City of Victoria announced a new custom designed, permanent, public urinal. It's installed right downtown and will provide increased washroom access 24 hours a day, for visitors, residents and workers.

"I am pleased that this project was delivered on time, and will be ready for the return of college and university students this fall," noted Mayor Dean Fortin. "The City is constantly looking at new ways to improve our downtown experience, and this is just one more way." 

The washroom design adds visual interest to the streetscape and is resistant to vandalism and undesirable use. The urinal also  incorporates several "green" features including low flowtechnology and low voltage interior lighting. As for cleanliness and safety, the urinal will be monitored closely and cleaned four times daily.

 

Victoria's New Public Urinal

 

Downtown Clowns

Every morning this week, I've walked past these guys...

 

This clowning trio have been parked right in front of City Hall, decked out in a different costume each day. At first, I had no idea who they were or what they were doing. Turns out they were out entertaining passers-by in an attempt to draw attention to WorldSkills 2009.

It's too bad today is the clown's last day. I've enjoyed their smiling faces and silly antics. And I'm sure they've put a grin on more than one person's face!