Calgary Municipal Land Corporation

Thank you for being with us this year as we built more places to love. We loved doing it. We wish you and yours an inspiring + happy + restful holiday season. See you in 2025.

We did it, together. 2024 was a year of transformation for Calgary’s east end. There were big things, there were small things. For you, for us, for Calgary. Discover more about our highlights from 2024 at the link: https://bit.ly/3DqUC5x

Meet our Placemakers, Allison Davelaar, Development Coordinator From a young age, Allison Davelaar showed a keen interest in architecture and urban design - a curiosity that grew over time, leading her to pursue a Bachelor of Architectural Science from the British Columbia Institute of Technology and a Master of Planning from the University of Calgary. "I grew up in a really tight-knit community. At a young age, I had access to great shared spaces that anyone could use to connect with others. These were places that didn't require you to pay to enter, but still provided wonderful communal amenities. So, I grew up with an awareness of how important community spaces are, which is why I love the work I get to do here at CMLC, because we really lean into the creation of a public realm that enables connection." As a Development Coordinator, she manages many of CMLC's horizontal assets - parks, plazas, pedestrian realm and more - ensuring the maintenance and utility of these areas. Outside the office, Allison's curiosity and energy keep her active and moving. More recently, she and her partner flexed their creative muscles by taking a pottery class – a hobby they hope to continue pursuing. Learn more about Allison: https://bit.ly/3ZMNmto Image 2: Allison and family enjoying Poco Trail (a well-maintained 25km loop around the community of Port Coquitlam). Image 3: Allison led a tour of East Village for the Federation of Canadian Municipalities on June 9, 2024. Image 4: A variety of pottery that Allison created during an introductory course on wheel throwing from Workshop Studios where she is learning how to throw various vessels, as well as glazing basics.

Earlier this week we broke ground on the Arts Commons Transformation (ACT) expansion project. To facilitate construction of both the ACT expansion and the Olympic Plaza Transformation (OPT) project, Olympic Plaza will close at the beginning of January 2025. The design for the plaza will be revealed in Q1 2025. Through public engagement, we’ve heard how important it is to Calgarians that the new space reflects the plaza's Olympic legacy. We're exploring how that legacy is thematically represented in the new plaza's design and the plaza's Olympic legacy lives on through a suite of innovative digital tools. In collaboration with City of Calgary, we’ve launched a series of experiences to honour and archive the plaza’s history. These include the Olympic Brick Finder, which allows you to locate and commemorate individual bricks, alongside the Olympic Plaza Interactive Experience and the Olympic Plaza 3D Perspective, offering dynamic ways to explore its 1988–2024 chapter. https://bit.ly/4faA4eO

After three years of meticulous planning and design, CMLC, Arts Commons and City of Calgary are thrilled to break ground on the Arts Commons Transformation (ACT) expansion, marking a significant step forward in the delivery of the largest arts-focused infrastructure project currently underway in Canada. Construction on the ACT expansion – designed by KPMB Architects, HINDLE ARCHITECTS and Tawaw Architecture Collective Inc. – will begin in January 2025. Construction will be managed by EllisDon with project management by Colliers Project Leaders | Canada, and is expected to be completed in 2028. The ACT expansion is the first of the three campus transformation phases to begin construction. The other two phases include the ACT modernization and the Olympic Plaza Transformation (OPT) project. The design for the OPT project will be revealed in late Q1 2025. Read more: https://bit.ly/3OPXtav Image 1 (L-R): Doctors Reg and Rose Crowshoe, esteemed Elders and ceremonialists of the Piikani Nation, David Smith, Arts Commons Board Chair, Mayor Jyoti Gondek, Kate Thompson, CMLC President and CEO, Alex Sarian, Arts Commons President and CEO, Mark Werklund, Dave Werklund, transformational gift donor, Minister of Arts, Culture and Status of Women, Tanya Fir, Deanna Werklund, Rhet Werklund, Shae Werklund, Max Werklund Image 2: A conceptual rendering of the Arts Commons Transformation expansion. Image 3: An overlay map that identifies the three campus transformation phases

The newly opened 17 Avenue SE Extension & Victoria Park/Stampede Station Rebuild project is featured in the December issue of Business Elite Canada The article showcases how this transformative project enhances district connectivity and accessibility while laying the foundation for future growth in The Culture + Entertainment District. “For the first time in 40 years, Calgarians and visitors alike will enjoy seamless access and a clear line of sight to all of the exciting things happening in Stampede Park that were previously hidden behind the old CTrain station,” says Kelly Coles, CMLC's VP of Building & Infrastructure. CMLC is proud to have acted as development manager on this project on behalf of our partners at Calgary Transit and The Calgary Stampede Read more: https://lnkd.in/gzV6b2Jh

Alongside our partners at Public City Architecture, we are delighted to share that the East Village Public Washroom and Pickleball project has been recognized with an Award of Merit in the 2024 Canadian Architect magazine Awards of Excellence. The innovative design for this space fulfills the need for social infrastructure that aligns with the vibrancy and character of the area. The design features four universally accessible bathroom stalls, a shared handwashing area, and a fenced-in outdoor pickleball court, complemented by tiered spectator seating and a living green roof with natural grasses. Construction is nearing completion, with the grand opening scheduled for January 2025. Read more about the project and the award at the link: https://bit.ly/3ZkH6HP

Together, CMLC + our partners + You are transforming the city. It started slowly, but soon, living, breathing neighbourhoods emerged —welcoming friends to explore, connect, and experience a new way to live the city. We have brought together bold, forward-thinking developer partners to build a bold, forward-thinking Calgary. And we’re just getting started. Learn more about our developer partners: https://bit.ly/3Ov7No5

Behind the Build: Infrastructure That Connects Community We're taking a closer look at our largest street-level infrastructure project to date — the 17 Avenue SE Extension and Victoria Park/Stampede Station Rebuild. “Projects like the 17 Avenue extension are about so much more than transportation. They’re about creating meaningful connections that bring people closer to their city and to one another. Strong connections within The C+E lay the groundwork for future growth, and this investment in infrastructure is about shaping a vibrant, accessible future for all Calgarians.” —Kate Thompson, CMLC President & CEO This complex project posed unique challenges, including building an entirely new LRT station on the existing site—directly next to active construction of the monumental BMO Centre expansion—while maintaining reliable and largely uninterrupted transit operations for thousands of daily users. It took meticulous planning, innovative problem-solving, and seamless collaboration to make it happen. Discover the full story behind this transformative project and how it’s building a stronger, more connected Calgary. Explore our latest case study: https://bit.ly/3OqFkjx

We are excited to announce continued private investment in East Village with the sale of two new CMLC-owned development parcels in 2024, further advancing the master plan vision for this vibrant neighbourhood. These projects, along with development progression on two privately owned parcels, will bring more than 900 new homes to the neighbourhood in the coming years, supporting Calgary’s growing population and demand for housing. Local developer Bankside Properties, in partnership with Sumus Property Group, has purchased two parcels located just east of the Central Library, with plans to build two mirror buildings, standing six storeys tall and offering approximately 80 rental units each, expected to break ground in late 2025. The site of the temporary Bounce Games Park has been conditionally sold to another developer partner, and we anticipate having more details in early 2025. Further north, Trico Homes has submitted a Development Permit for 255 rental units and commercial spaces, including a daycare, at 4 Avenue and Macleod Trail SE. Construction is expected to begin in 2025. Triovest is in pre-application stages for two mixed-use towers north of Studio Bell, with plans for 500 residential units. These new developments, alongside ongoing projects such as Alston Properties’ EV606, which is set to welcome residents to its 44-unit riverfront rental property in Q1 2025, and Bosa Development’s Arris Residences, with approximately 177 condo units already sold, are all contributing to the remarkable transformation of East Village. Read the full release: https://bit.ly/3V3JCkm