Business Pushback — The Risks of Elevated LRT in Downtown Calgary
Background
In early 2025, Calgary’s downtown business community responded strongly to the Province of Alberta’s revised proposal for the Green Line LRT — which included an elevated track running along 10th Avenue S.E. The pushback from local businesses provides a cautionary tale about how top-down transit planning without sufficient consultation can spark concern and damage relationships with business stakeholders.
Project Overview
- City: Calgary, Alberta
- Project: Green Line LRT – Elevated Downtown Segment
- Proposal: Elevated CTrain track above 10th Avenue from 4th Street to 2nd Street
- Estimated Start of Construction (Downtown Segment): 2027 (pending study outcome)
- Business District: Beltline / Victoria Park
Change or Action
Calgary City Council voted to explore the elevated alignment further through a two-year functional study, with construction potentially beginning in 2027. The study will assess impacts on noise, traffic, property values, and flooding. In the meantime, business owners like John Batas (Michael’s Pizza), Billy Friley (Village Ice Cream), and Geoff Allan (Bottlescrew Bill’s) have voiced concern that the elevated structure would cause:
- Loss of visibility and foot traffic due to shadowing
- Increased noise and vibration
- Disruption to parking and access
- A less welcoming and vibrant streetscape
Some business leaders also criticized the lack of consultation and warned the elevated track could make the area feel unsafe and uninviting.
The Results
While construction has not yet begun, the backlash has already:
- Created tension between the province, city council, and business community
- Raised concerns about the potential loss of outdoor dining space and customer foot traffic
- Triggered significant media attention and public debate
- Shown early signs of business disengagement from the planning process due to frustration over top-down decisions
The study’s findings in 2027 will determine whether the alignment is finalized, but reputational damage and trust erosion are already occurring.
The Lesson or Takeaway
Orléans businesses and The BIA can learn several key lessons from Calgary’s experience:
- Consult Early and Often: Transparent and meaningful engagement with local businesses is essential before announcing major design changes.
- Balance Ridership with Street-Level Impact: Maximizing transit capacity should not come at the expense of neighborhood vitality.
- Prioritize Urban Experience: Elevated tracks may save money but can have lasting consequences on aesthetics, safety perception, and customer flow.
- Build Business Trust: Even the perception of being excluded from planning can reduce confidence, collaboration, and long-term support.
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