*Sandstone City: A series looking at the people, architecture and culture of Calgary’s sandstone glory days

Stephen Avenue fire almost 130 years ago sparked Calgary’s sandstone era

As the Calgary Stampeders celebrated their Grey Cup win Dec. 2, little did they know they were revelling on the site of a once-tragic fire.

On Nov.… Read More

On the avenue is a post from: CREBNow

City council has approved a new four-year budget that will see property taxes in the city rise by 4.5 per cent next year, followed by three consecutive years of 4.7 per cent hikes through to 2018.

The increase means the average Calgary household will part with an extra $71.40 in property taxes
next year.… Read More

City council approves new budget is a post from: CREBNow

Originally a “suburb perfect” vision of Englishman John Hextall, Bowness dates back to the early 1900s.

A popular destination for Calgarians looking for a weekend getaway was Bowness Park, constructed in 1911 and still one of the most sought after parks in the city today.

Bowness was annexed by the City of Calgary in 1964 and continues to be a destination for homebuyers, recreation enthusiasts, foodies and more.… Read More

In photos: Bonus Bowness is a post from: CREBNow

Calgary City Council continued it’s budget talks for Action Plan 2015-2018 today.

This morning council continued its discussion on the city’s utilities and environmental protection, including Calgary’s water services.

“The numbers are extraordinary and I start to worry that we are building a system in water and wastewater we will just not be able to afford in future generations,” said Mayor Naheed Nenshi to city staff.… Read More

Budget #YYC: Water talks is a post from: CREBNow

How the future of oil and gas in Alberta will affect Calgary’s housing market

The plummeting price of oil is unlikely to affect Calgary’s housing market in the immediate future, but a prolonged slump could eventually leave its mark on the local landscape, say Canadian economists.

“If the recent slide in oil prices turns down the migration taps, construction activity could begin to soften again in Calgary,” said BMO senior economist Robert Kavcic, noting that, in the interim, Calgary’s housing market remains red hot.… Read More

Power of the pump is a post from: CREBNow

City Council started talking budget today, starting with a presentation on Calgary’s Action Plan for 2015-18 by Chief Financial Officer Eric Sawyer.

The Action Plan, released Nov. 4, shows the City has a budget of roughly $22 billion for the next four years.

“Over 50 per cent of the capital program you’re seeing here is going towards growth and new development,” said Sawyer.… Read More

Action Plan: City council budget talks begin is a post from: CREBNow

Looking to Calgary’s future growth, the City’s Main Streets initiative will both engage citizens and utilize economic research.

At present, the initiative is gathering local perspectives about main streets issues through a number or workshops throughout the city. There are 24 main streets currently in Calgary, according to the Municipal Development Plan, many of which were formed along historic streetcar lines.… Read More

A look at Calgary’s Main Streets initiative is a post from: CREBNow

CREBNow’s three-part series examining the news, community and culture of cycling in the city.

April 28 saw Calgary’s city council voting in favour of a downtown cycle track pilot.

The 8-7 vote comes on the heels of months of planning, community forums and debates on whether the track would be a feasible idea for downtown Calgary.

The pilot originally called for tracks on First Street S.E., Fifth Street S.W., Eighth Avenue W and Stephen Avenue, Ninth Avenue E, 12th Avenue and Eighth Street.… Read More

Cycle pilot approved is a post from: CREBNow

Sanitary infrastructure capacity impacting NW development

Rapid population growth in the city’s northwest is creating new challenges for planners on how to
best manage the quadrant`s already strained sewage infrastructure system.

The West Memorial Sanitary Trunk – which extends from the communities of Bowness to Rocky Ridge and impacts 24 communities overall – is, and has been for at least two years now, operating at capacity in certain areas. 

“There’s a portion of the trunk within Bowness that has a capacity constraint,” said Francois Bouchart manager of infrastructure and planning with City of Calgary Water Resources, noting the area the trunk serves has seen a 30 per cent population increase over the last decade.… Read More

Full of it is a post from: CREBNow

Discover hidden gems a stone’s throw from the hustle and bustle of Calgary

For those who call the area home, the MD of Foothills is a welcome reprieve from the hustle and bustle of city life.

Comprised of rolling hills, golden wheat fields, leafy woodlands and mountain vistas, the 3,600-square-kilometre area south of the Calgary city limits surrounds the towns of Okotoks, High River, Turner Valley and Black Diamond as well as the village of Longview and Eden Valley Indian Reserve.… Read More

Feature: MD of Foothills is a post from: CREBNow