Four organizations representing the real estate and business communities in Calgary’s downtown and Beltline communities are raising red flags about the latest plan for the Green Line LRT.
The opposition from the Calgary Downtown Association (CDA), BOMA Calgary, NAIOP Calgary, and the Calgary Construction Association is the latest in a series of hurdles for the project.
In a letter sent to Premier Danielle Smith and Minister of Transportation Devin Dreeshen, the groups say they still aren’t happy with the proposed above-ground alignment in the downtown core.
They say the list of concerns previously raised haven’t been addressed, and there are still significant risks and financial impacts to businesses in the area.
Among the extensive list of concerns are impacts on adjacent properties, like assessment and market values, property taxes and business interruptions, impacts on the at-grade retail experience, impacts to the plus-15 system, downtown accessibility, and more.
“We feel it would be reckless to support the proposed elevated solution in the beltline and downtown based on the concerns,” the letter reads.
The groups are in support of building the the Green Line from Shephard (as far south as funding will provide) to the planned Grand Central Station.
This comes as an important financial deadline looms — an alignment must be approved by the City of Calgary and the province by March 31 in order to hold on to $1.53 billion in funding from the feds.
Alberta presented a revamped proposal for the LRT line in December, saying it would save more than $1 billion. This plan includes the elevated track instead of a tunnel downtown and five more stations.
City council will be behind closed doors Tuesday to discuss the project.
The last meeting council held on the subject was two weeks ago, where the province was present.
Mayor Jyoti Gondek told media at the time she was optimistic about the direction in which discussions were heading.