A former city planner says pedestrianization of Calgary's 17th Avenue is “totally possible.”

A proposal to pedestrianize Southwest 17th Avenue in Calgary is being pushed by pedestrian advocate Christopher Chiasson. Chiasson aims to close the area to traffic on select summer weekends with an emphasis on enhancing the community experience and encouraging local businesses. The petition has so far garnered 288 signatures, with supporters advocating for improved quality of life, reduced traffic noise and pollution, and safer public spaces for events. Chiasson calls for temporary closures between 4th Street and 8th Street on Friday evenings and certain streets on weekends.

Pedestrianization of Southwest 17th Avenue has the potential to encourage alternative modes of transportation in Calgary, such as public transit and cycling. Similar initiatives have been successful in cities such as Montreal, where more than nine kilometers of streets were pedestrianized this summer with significant investment from the city and provincial government. Chiasson believes that redesigning streets to prioritize pedestrians will attract new visitors and enhance the overall experience of the area, away from the traditional focus on traffic. However, the 17th Avenue BIA opposed the proposal, citing concerns about potential negative impacts on local businesses.

Despite warnings from the BIA's 17th Ave., the City of Calgary, former city planner Brent Toderian and Ward 8. Courtney Walcott supports pedestrian proposal. Toderian sees the initiative as simple and doable, pointing to successful examples in other cities and stressing the importance of creating places to attract people to pedestrian-friendly spaces. Walcott believes temporary closures on special weekends could benefit both businesses and the community, although construction work on sidewalks and bike paths could delay the project. Discussions are ongoing among stakeholders to find a solution that addresses concerns while impacting the area on pedestrians.

The City of Calgary has acknowledged public chatter regarding the closure of Southwest 17th Avenue to vehicles, although no specific requests have been received. The city considers a variety of factors, including impacts to emergency services, businesses, residents, accessibility and transit services. Toderian predicts that pedestrian-friendly spaces can strengthen neighborhoods if the right conditions are met, and he's confident the benefits outweigh any potential downsides for businesses. He also challenges the idea that Calgary's car-centric nature makes pedestrians homeless, saying other similarly car-dependent cities have successfully implemented pedestrian-friendly initiatives.

The debate surrounding the pedestrianization of Southwest 17th Avenue reflects differing views on the potential benefits and challenges of such a proposal. While supporters like Chiasson, Toderian and Walcott believe it will enhance the community experience, stimulate economic activity and improve the quality of life, opponents like the 17th Avenue BIA are concerned about the negative impact on local businesses. Finding a balance between these approaches, addressing construction delays, and ensuring cooperation among stakeholders will be critical in determining the feasibility and success of a pedestrian project. Ultimately, the goal is to create a vibrant, pedestrian-friendly environment that meets the needs of the area's residents, visitors and businesses.