A new summer initiative on Stephen Avenue is bringing together investments, partnerships and promotions aimed at attracting visitors and supporting more than 50 businesses and public spaces along Calgary’s historic downtown street.
The See You on Stephen Avenue initiative, led by The City of Calgary and community partners, comes as the first block of the Stephen Avenue Revitalization Project between 1 Street S.E. and Centre Street is completed.
The initiative includes changes to lighting, cleaning and maintenance, increased collaboration among safety and community organizations, promotions involving local businesses and free evening and weekend parking at the nearby Harmony Parkade through June 2027.
“Stephen Avenue is a cornerstone of downtown Calgary and a key part of our city’s identity. For generations, it has been one of Calgary’s most important gathering places, where people come to shop, dine, connect and celebrate,” says Mayor Jeromy Farkas. “We’re inviting people to come downtown, explore what’s new and support the businesses that make this street unique. Every visit and every purchase made on Stephen Avenue helps strengthen our local economy and support the Calgarians behind it.”
Michael Kehoe, Broker at Fairfield Commercial Real Estate, said the phased initiatives along Stephen Avenue renewing the streetscape that create a more welcoming environment will ensure that Calgary’s historic main street will remain a vibrant destination for residents, downtown office workers and visitors.
“Stephen Avenue has had its challenges over the past several years that include enduring issues such as public safety and social problems with the many unhoused and addicted citizens. For complete success downtown these matters need to be dealt with and in order to have full commercial success we need to have social success. Commercial success abounds along Stephen Avenue with the robust dining scene, shopping, and special events. Stephen Avenue is one of Canada’s most recognizable historic streets and an important element of downtown life. Retailers are taking notice as local and international brands such as Hermes will be establishing a retail presence in the near future with brands seeking storefront space along the prime four block ‘zone’ of pedestrian footfall.
A special place in Calgary
“Stephen Avenue is the special place in Calgary that blends the city’s vibrant growth with its historic past surrounded by the corporate office towers of Calgary’s downtown core. Thousands of people stroll the Avenue during the week and in the evenings and on weekends the area is alive with activity. Downtown Calgary is Canada’s second largest centre for corporate head offices and enjoys the largest enclosed and elevated pedestrian walkway system in the world connecting into Stephen Avenue through indoor shopping areas that feature department store anchors such as Simons and Holt Renfrew.
“There seems to be a universal longing to find and recapture that special place – the main street in many North American urban markets. Stephen Avenue is an excellent example of this process at work where all the elements of the retail main street that include arts and culture are coming together. The Werklund Centre, Western Canada’s largest arts complex, and the Glenbow Museum, that features the rich cultural heritage of the North American Prairies, anchor the east end of the Avenue.
Turn of the Century sandstone buildings co-exist with the modern structures such as wine and martini bars, steakhouses, pubs restaurant patios blend in with the buskers, food vendors, Value Village, Dollarama and souvenir shops that cater to hundreds of thousands of downtown workers and millions of tourists that visit Calgary each year.
“As a retail real estate broker, I see renewed interest in urban business districts such as Stephen Avenue. Progressive, expansion-oriented merchants and restaurateurs are seeking and finding golden opportunities on main streets like Stephen Avenue.”
Business support
Explore Downtown YYC is providing complimentary evening and weekend parking at the Harmony Parkade as part of the initiative. The arrangement is intended to make it easier for residents and visitors to spend time in the area through June 2027.
The initiative also includes a gift card contest supported by the Calgary Downtown Association, featured patio menus and promotions, and ongoing partnerships focused on attracting visitors and supporting local businesses.
Enhanced lighting, cleaning and maintenance are also planned along the avenue, along with increased collaboration among safety and community partners.
The measures coincide with the completion of the first block of the Stephen Avenue Revitalization Project, between 1 Street S.E. and Centre Street. The project is part of ongoing efforts to improve the downtown destination.
More than 50 businesses and public spaces along Stephen Avenue are expected to benefit from the initiatives.
Safety measures
Safety is another component of the program.
The Stephen Avenue Safety Hub provides a central location on the Avenue for the Calgary Police Service, Community Standards, Transit Public Safety and community partners to collaborate, write reports and share information.
The location has traditionally experienced a high volume of calls for service.
“A vibrant downtown depends on people feeling comfortable spending time on Stephen Avenue,” says Calgary Police Service Chief Katie McLellan. “The Safety Hub helps us work alongside our partners to support businesses, connect vulnerable individuals with services and contribute to a positive experience for everyone who visits the area.”
The safety hub is intended to support co-ordination among agencies while also connecting vulnerable individuals with services and supporting businesses along the avenue.
Long-term focus
The partners behind the initiative say the investments are intended to support the longer-term success of businesses on Stephen Avenue and reinforce the avenue’s role as a downtown destination for residents and visitors.
Stephen Avenue is home to restaurants, retailers, patios, events, arts and cultural activities, according to the release. The historic street has played a role in Calgary’s downtown life for more than a century.
The initiative will continue alongside efforts to revitalize the avenue, with partnerships and promotions aimed at maintaining activity on the street and supporting businesses.
Information about Stephen Avenue events, promotions, participating businesses and contests is available through Explore Downtown YYC.
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