LRT - LONGER RIDE TOLL-FREE

Calgary considers expanding downtown LRT free-fare zone
By Richard Cuthbertson
Calgary Herald June 13, 2011

CALGARY — Extending the LRT free-fare zone to the Stampede station could create security headaches at the platform, and may encourage commuters to park in the area and then cram onto busy trains travelling into downtown at peak hours.

This is according to a report heading to a city committee on Wednesday that looks at the advantages, and the drawbacks, of broadening the section of the LRT network where people can ride without a ticket.

The report also confirms Calgary Transit will lose up to $2 million a year in revenue if the free zone, which currently stretches along 7th Avenue, grows to include the Victoria Park/Stampede station.

But the proposal still has merit for the organizer of a major expo this coming weekend, who suggests some middle ground can be found in the whole debate.

“Ultimately, what does every special event, what does every convention need? They need people,” said Kandrix Foong, the organizer of the Calgary Comic and Entertainment Expo, to be held at the Stampede’s BMO Centre.

“If you add a couple extra elements to your show that can tilt the favour of whether they’re going to come out to your show or not, then obviously it’s worth it.”

He suggests something be worked out where people attending conventions at the Stampede grounds could to ride the LRT for free.

The report looks at a proposal spearheaded earlier year by three aldermen to create a “seamless event package” by connecting Stampede Park with the Telus Convention Centre through public transit.

The proponents on council said in their motion the change would lead to economic spinoffs by attracting bigger events and raising the appeal of Calgary as a host of conventions and conferences.

The problem, according to the report, is it is difficult to quantify how economic benefits of major events relate to transportation.

Meanwhile, the financial hit to Calgary Transit of extending the zone is pays for between 40,000 and 50,000 transit hours.

The report also suggests extending the free-fare zone would bring questionable characters to the Stampede platform, and transit security would have to be adjusted.

“These individuals can cause disruptions and make other customers uncomfortable,” the report says.

“Extending the free-fare zone would provide a greater range for these individuals to operate.”

Making it free will also encourage more people to park in area and then take the train into the downtown for work, creating “operational issues,” according to the report.

That will lead to complaints of bad service when people at the Stampede platform can’t get on the LRT because the trains are full heading into downtown, the report says.

Ald. Druh Farrell said extending the free-fare zone is a bad idea, adding the current zone along 7th Avenue has become a hub for vagrancy.

“To extend that outside the free-fare zone would be problematic,” Farrell said.

“It would just extend the problems outside of the downtown and make it very difficult for the police to monitor.”

Farrell said she also worries that if the free-fare zone is extended outside of downtown, those affected communities will turn into park and ride lots.

If the city wants to boost tourism, it could introduce a multi-pass giving admission to various sites in Calgary, with public transit included, Farrell said.

CS IS ALWAYS GOOD TO HEAR IN REAL ESTATE

Calgary Stampede Park moves ahead with $400-million expansion
Several projects to be completed by 2014
By Mario Toneguzzi, Calgary Herald
November 9, 2010

CALGARY - With the economic recession behind us, Calgary's Stampede Park is moving forward with its $400-million expansion and redevelopment that will be completed within the next three years or so, the Herald has learned.

"By 2014, this will be a uniquely different place," said Warren Connell, vice-president of park development and operations for the Calgary Stampede.

The multi-million dollar construction includes Stampede Trail (a mainstreet retail and entertainment development), a new agriculture arena and exhibit hall, the River Park area along the Elbow River, and a youth campus part of Stampede Park.

"When the economic downturn hit, the Stampede was obviously right in the midst of a number of projects," said Connell. "We were in the process of completing the (BMO) Centre.

"We were dealing with a major sponsor on the River Park (area). Luckily for us we were close enough to being completed that the (BMO) Centre didn't suffer financially. It was sponsored to a large part by the government of Alberta. However the River Park sponsor did walk away and say at least for the immediate future they would not be launching into any new projects. That was disheartening to us."

In June 2008, the Stampede expected its major expansion and redevelopment to be completed by 2011. In June 2009, it expected completion by 2012-2013.

But the downturn in the economy delayed the process. Now, the Stampede is back on track to move ahead with its plans.

Connell said the Stampede is 70 per cent complete on relocating infrastructure pieces to a back of house area. Construction of the River Park area in the northeast quadrant of the park will begin after the Stampede in July.

"We do not have all the funding in place but the one advantage to having a green park is you can start doing chunks as the funding is available. We're still working on everything from sponsorship to grants and fundraising," said Connell.

He said the Stampede has just received development permit approval for a new agriculture arena and exhibit hall which it is calling the Western Event Centre. It has a $25-million grant from the federal government plus private donations and fundraising for more money to go ahead with the project.

Construction of the arena will start following the 2012 Stampede to be completed in 2014 prior to the Stampede.

Public space is being developed near the agriculture building as access to the River Park area which will house Indian Village in the future.

Alberta Development Partners, based in Denver, is working on the mainstreet retail development along the current Olympic Way which leads into Stampede Park and will include Jimmy Buffett's Margaritaville restaurant.

A spokesperson for ADP would not comment on the project when contacted on Tuesday. But the company's website says the project includes 150,000 square feet of retail space, 100,000 square feet of office space, a 300-room hotel, and public gathering places.

Connell said it is currently in the development permit process.

"They are hoping to do utility work this spring and start construction on their project post-Stampede this year - the actual buildings," said Connell. "That will be a two-year process. So they would be open in June of 2013."

The proposed Stampede Trail restaurant cluster and associated retail shops will be in perfect synergy with the constant stream of traffic generating attractions at Stampede Park, said Michael Kehoe, an Alberta-based retail specialist with Fairfield Commercial Real Estate Inc.

"This type of themed development in the shadow of major draws like the Saddledome is prevalent across North America as major league sports teams and their owners capitalize on consumers seeking a unique food service and shopping experience."

A 1,000-stall parkade near the Stampede Park entrance will be completed prior to the 2012 Stampede. The Stampede will relocate its current headquarters some time in 2012 further up the street to allow the current building to be demolished and to allow the remaining phase of mainstreet to be constructed between 2012 and 2013.

There is also a youth campus area in the northeast part of the Park that will be developed in the coming years and host several groups. Stampede Park is currently working on the first phase of the area.

By the Banks of the Bow sculpture - the largest bronze sculpture in Western Canada if not all of Canada - will be set up in the middle of the Park by 2012 and include 15 large horses.

The 4th Street underpass will link East Village to Olympic Way and will be completed by 2012.

Connell said the 17th Avenue S.E. crossing which would link the park to 17th Avenue through a roadway is still being pursued but no timeline for that has materialized. Future plans also call for looking at the potential relocation of the Coca-Cola Stage to where Indian Village currently resides. Another hall is also planned for the BMO Centre in the future.

And the Saddledome?

"All I can officially say is that the Calgary Flames have been dealing with us on a potential site for a new arena. The Calgary Flames are working out their own details with respect to the facility itself, fundraising and so on," said Connell. "As far as having agreed to a site, we have not but the two organizations are certainly talking."