Beltline, Calgary

Last updated

Beltline
Neighbourhood
Beltline-Calgary.JPG
The high density residential buildings in the Beltline district
Calgary street map.png
Red pog.svg
Beltline
Location of Beltline in Calgary
Coordinates: 51°02′23″N114°04′17″W / 51.03972°N 114.07139°W / 51.03972; -114.07139
CountryFlag of Canada (Pantone).svg  Canada
Province Flag of Alberta.svg  Alberta
City Flag placeholder.svg  Calgary
QuadrantSW
Ward 8
Established1905 (Connaught)
 2003 (Merged)
Government
[1]
 • Mayor Jyoti Gondek
 • Administrative body Calgary City Council
 • CouncillorCourtney Walcott
Area
 • Total2.9 km2 (1.1 sq mi)
Elevation
1,050 m (3,440 ft)
Population
 (2018) [2]
 • Total24,887
 • Density8,580/km2 (22,200/sq mi)
Postal code
T3C, T2R
Website www.beltlineyyc.ca

Beltline is a region of central Calgary, Alberta, Canada. The area is located immediately to the south of Calgary's downtown (south of 9th Avenue and the Canadian Pacific Railway tracks), and is sometimes considered part of downtown. The neighbourhood is bounded on the south by 17th Avenue, on the west by 14th Street West and on the east by the Elbow River. Beltline is one of Calgary's most densely populated neighbourhoods as well as the most urban, featuring many apartments, condominiums and offices. It has the reputation of being one of Calgary's primary areas for eclectic night-life, restaurants and urban culture. [3]

Contents

The first established district in the neighbourhood was Connaught in 1905, followed by Victoria Park in 1914. When the region and its redevelopment plan were formally established in 2003, it amalgamated the inner city neighbourhoods of Victoria Park and Connaught. [4] The community is named for an early 20th-century streetcar route. [5] As of April 2018, there were 24,887 people residing in Beltline. [2]

The Calgary Fire Department serves Beltline from Fire Station No. 2 at 1010 10 Avenue S.W. [6]

Districts

The City of Calgary recognizes four smaller districts in Beltline community: West Connaught, Connaught Centre, Victoria Park and East Victoria Park. They are areas of equal north-south orientation and divided by 8 Street SW, 4 Street SW, Macleod Trail (1 Street SE) and the Elbow River. [7]

Beltline contains a number of less formal city districts within its boundaries. These include Midtown, the Design District, Victoria Park Business Revitalization Zone [8] (Victoria), the 4th Street BRZ (located mostly within Mission), the Uptown 17th BRZ, the Warehouse District, and a portion of the Rivers District.

17th Avenue

17th Avenue, which is on the southern extremity of Beltline, is a mixed-use area with a dense concentration of bars, restaurants, nightclubs, and shops. Behind this commercial development are residential areas. The street also "dead-ends" at the Stampede Grounds on its east side, and is thus central to the party-like atmosphere that overtakes the city during the Calgary Stampede festival. 17th Avenue was nicknamed the "Red Mile" in 2004 during the playoff run of Calgary's NHL team, the Calgary Flames. During this time, it was not uncommon to see over 100,000 fans crowding the street and its bars and pubs on game nights.

Connaught

Connaught was established in 1905, and comprises the western part of Beltline, west of 4th Street W. Residents in this community had a median household income of $38,960 in 2000, and 26.1% of residents living in the neighbourhood were low-income. [9]

Victoria Park

Queen Victoria pictured in the monument to the Second Boer War at Central Memorial Park. Queen Victoria Boer War.jpg
Queen Victoria pictured in the monument to the Second Boer War at Central Memorial Park.

Victoria Park comprises the eastern part of Beltline, is bisected by Macleod Trail, and contains the Warehouse district. It was named after Queen Victoria, who is celebrated in a monument to the Second Boer War located in Central Memorial Park. Victoria Park is adjacent to the Stampede Grounds and the Scotiabank Saddledome arena. Residents in this community had a median household income of $28,843 in 2000, and there were 34.2% low income residents living in the neighbourhood. [9]

Demographics

In the City of Calgary's 2018 municipal census, Beltline had a population of 24,887 living in 18,029 dwellings, an increase of 1,668 residents from its 2017 population of 23,219. [2] With a land area of 2.9 km2 (1.1 sq mi), it had a population density of

Redevelopment

Lougheed House a National Historic Site of Canada. LougheedHouseExternal.png
Lougheed House a National Historic Site of Canada.

Beltline is a neighbourhood in transition. The district, along with the Rivers District and the Downtown East Village, are presently in the midst of an ambitious urban planning and rejuvenation venture planned by the city's municipal government to increase the residential density of central Calgary. On May 15, 2006 the Calgary City Council approved the Beltline Area Redevelopment Plan. [10] The plan details land use policies and implementation recommendations which are designed to be implemented concurrently with the broader Land Use Bylaw redesign, to take effect in 2008. It aims to accommodate up to 40,000 residents in the neighbourhood by 2035.

A report on the Beltline ARP was presented to the Calgary Planning Commission on September 20, 2007. A public open house and information session occurred in late October 2007, with a Public Council Hearing occurring on November 12, 2007. [11]

The area is intended to operate as a mixed-use region and is to include a mix of commercial services and high density condominium and apartment towers. Many of these residential structures are already under construction, and even more are in the proposal stages. Currently there are over 37 major residential towers in some stage of development in the community.

Victoria Park is a region of focused municipal redevelopment. The City of Calgary has declared it a Business Revitalization Zone (BRZ) and is encouraging a progressive redevelopment of the much-maligned community. The 42 and 34-story residential Arriva project, the tallest condominium development west of Toronto; the Sasso and Vetro development; the Colours project; and the multi-use Hotel Arts Centre, suggest a vibrant and renewed future for Victoria Park, with a great deal of investment and interest. The district is also one of the city's most historic. Not only does it include two of the city's oldest neighbourhoods, but it also encompasses the Stampede Grounds, the site of Calgary's annual Calgary Stampede which sees over 1.25 million visitors per year.

In 2007, Victoria Park was one of the first communities to get its own Wi-Fi Network. WestNet Wireless deployed the high speed network, which offers fiber optic speeds over Wi-Fi.

In 2020, city council approved construction the Calgary Green Line, which will have two subway style stations in the Beltine: Centre Street South Station and 4 Street SE Station. The Green Line will be entirely underground through the Beltline in a tunnel under 11 Avenue S. Construction of the Beltline segment of the line will begin in 2022. [12]

Education

Victoria School is designated an historic site Victoria School Entrance.jpg
Victoria School is designated an historic site

Two public schools are located in Beltline, the Connaught Community School and the Victoria Community School. [4] Western Canada High School is located along the 17th Avenue boundary of the community, and serves the area. One block outside Beltline is St. Mary's High School which serves most of the Roman Catholic high school students in the area

Social issues

13 Ave SW in Beltline, with Downtown Calgary in background Calgarynight9.jpg
13 Ave SW in Beltline, with Downtown Calgary in background

There is a significant mix of economic groups in the community. With new revitalization, a number of middle and upper income groups are establishing themselves in the area due to the close proximity to downtown. [13] However, low income residents still make up a large proportion of the population (28.3% in 2001 [14] ). The Mustard Seed Calgary is located in Beltline at 102 11 Ave SE. There are also many poorly maintained and dilapidated buildings with low rents. A large portion of Victoria Park, in particular, is in poor condition due to the city's decision to restrict development on lands needed for Calgary Stampede expansion. [15] Owners of this land were generally not interested in improving buildings they knew would be removed soon. As a result, a number of seemingly abandoned buildings were occupied illegally by squatters. As the city has finalized land purchases and made final decisions on land use, this has decreased dramatically.[ citation needed ]

The median household income in 2005 was $43,087 in Beltline. [14] (compared with $67,283 Calgary average). Immigrants made up 31.3% of the residents in 2006, this compares against an immigrant population of 24.8% for Calgary overall. The majority of the buildings (95.8%) are apartments, and 70.9% of the dwellings were used for renting in 2006.

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Eau Claire, Calgary</span> Neighbourhood in Calgary, Alberta, Canada

The neighbourhood of Eau Claire in Calgary, Alberta, Canada is located immediately north of Downtown, and south of the Bow River and north of 4th Avenue. A mix of riverside condominiums, shopping, restaurants, hotels, a large public plaza and urban parkland make Eau Claire one of Calgary's most popular areas. Contained within Eau Claire is the city's Festival District.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Downtown Calgary</span> Neighbourhood in Calgary, Alberta, Canada

Downtown Calgary is a dense urban district in central Calgary, Alberta. It contains the second largest concentration of head offices in Canada, despite only being the country's fourth largest city in terms of population. The downtown is divided into several residential, commercial, corporate, and mixed-use neighbourhoods, including the Financial District (CBD), Eau Claire, Chinatown, East Village, Beltline, and the West End.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bankview, Calgary</span> Neighbourhood in Calgary, Alberta, Canada

Bankview is a neighbourhood in the southwest quadrant of the city of Calgary, Alberta.

Mount Royal is an area of Calgary, Alberta and is home to the neighbourhoods of Upper Mount Royal and Lower Mount Royal, which are separated by an escarpment that runs along Cameron and Royal Avenues in an east-west direction. Upper Mount Royal has an area redevelopment plan in place.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hillhurst, Calgary</span> Neighbourhood in Calgary, Alberta, Canada

Hillhurst is a community located within the inner city of Calgary, Alberta, Canada. The boundaries of the community are 8th Avenue NW to the north, 10th Street NW to the east, the Bow River to the south, and 18th Street NW to the west. The communities of Hillhurst and the neighbouring Sunnyside together form the Hillhurst-Sunnyside Community Association. The two communities have an area redevelopment plan in place, revised in 2009.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Albert Park/Radisson Heights</span> Neighbourhood in Calgary, Alberta, Canada

Albert Park/Radisson Heights is a residential neighbourhood in the southeast quadrant of Calgary, Alberta. It is bounded to the west by the Bow River and Deerfoot Trail, to the north by Memorial Drive and to the south by 17 Avenue SE. The community of Forest Lawn lies to the east.

Killarney, also known as Killarney/Glengarry, is a residential neighbourhood in the city of Calgary, Alberta, Canada. It is bounded by 17th Avenue S.W. on the north, 37th Street S.W. on the west, Richmond Road S.W. on the south, and 25A Street S.W. on the east. It was named after Glengarry County, Ontario, as the place the first settlers originated from.

Altadore is a residential neighbourhood in the inner-city portion of the southwest quadrant of Calgary, Alberta. It is bounded by 33rd Ave SW and the neighbourhood of South Calgary in the north, River Park and 14 St SW in the east, the Garrison Woods neighbourhood and Crowchild Trail SW in the west, and 50th Ave SW in the south. Altadore is part of the Marda Loop Communities Association (MLCA) along with Garrison Woods and South Calgary.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Forest Lawn, Calgary</span> Neighbourhood in Calgary, Alberta, Canada

Forest Lawn is a neighbourhood and former town in the southeast quadrant of the city of Calgary, Alberta, Canada. The neighbourhood is bound by 26 Avenue SE to the south, 36 Street SE to the west, 8 Avenue SE to the north and portions of 52 Street SE and 48 Street SE to the east. The former town comprises the entire current Forest Lawn neighbourhood as well as portions of Southview and Albert Park/Radisson Heights to the west, and portions of Penbrooke Meadows and Forest Lawn Industrial to the east. Both the neighbourhood and the former town are bisected by the multicultural 17 Avenue SE. Forest Lawn has an area redevelopment plan in place and is part of the International Avenue Business Revitalization Zone.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sunalta, Calgary</span> Neighbourhood in Calgary, Alberta, Canada

Sunalta is a residential neighbourhood in the southwest quadrant of Calgary, Alberta.

Crescent Heights is a neighbourhood located in Calgary, Alberta. It is located in the inner city, immediately north from Downtown. It is bounded to the north by the Trans-Canada Highway, on the east by Edmonton Trail, on the west by 4th Street NW, and to the south by Memorial Drive and the Bow River.

Richmond is a residential neighbourhood in the southwest quadrant of Calgary, Alberta.

Applewood Park is a residential neighbourhood in the southeast quadrant of Calgary, Alberta. It is located at the eastern edge of the city, north of 17 Avenue SE. Elliston Park, the site of GlobalFest fireworks, is located southwest of the community.

Ramsay is a residential neighbourhood in the southeast quadrant of Calgary, Alberta. It is an inner city community, located east of the Elbow River, Macleod Trail, Stampede Grounds and the Scotiabank Saddledome arena and south of Inglewood. To the southeast, it borders the Alyth-Bonny Brook industrial area. The eastern half of the community consists primarily of older homes and there is an industrial area in the most eastern corner of the community.

Glendale is a residential neighbourhood in the southwest quadrant of Calgary, Alberta. It is located south of 17th Avenue SW, east of Sarcee Trail and Signal Hill and west of 37 Street SW and Killarney. The Optimist Athletic Park is located in this community.

Tuxedo Park is a residential neighbourhood in the northeast and northwest quadrants of Calgary, Alberta. The inner city community is bounded to the north by 32 Avenue N, by Edmonton Trail to the east, the Trans-Canada Highway to the south and 2 Street NW to the west. The community is bisected by Centre Street from north to south.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cliff Bungalow, Calgary</span> Neighbourhood in Calgary, Alberta, Canada

Cliff Bungalow is an inner city residential neighbourhood in the southwest quadrant of Calgary, Alberta. Centered along 5 Street SW, it is bordered by Elbow River to the south, by Uptown 17th Avenue to the north and by Fourth Street to the east.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Alyth/Bonnybrook/Manchester</span> Neighbourhood in Calgary, Alberta, Canada

Alyth/Bonnybrook/Manchester is a predominantly industrial and subordinately residential neighbourhood in the southeast quadrant of Calgary, Alberta. Alyth is located south of Inglewood, while Manchester lies east of Macleod Trail and south of 34 Avenue S.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Downtown East Village, Calgary</span> Neighbourhood in Calgary, Alberta, Canada

Downtown East Village more commonly known as simply East Village, is a mixed-use neighbourhood within the eastern portions of downtown Calgary, Alberta, Canada. It is contained within the city's Rivers District. Containing the earliest-settled land in the Calgary area - Fort Calgary - East Village was for years a mixture of high-rise residential, commercial, and industrial development. Much of the parkland currently surrounding Fort Calgary was industrial as recently as the 1960s. Construction of the city's light rail transit Blue Line, coupled with the closure of 8th Avenue at Macleod Trail in the early 1980s by construction of the massive Calgary Municipal Building, resulted in East Village being "cut off," figuratively speaking, from the rest of downtown. As a result, it became home to many rundown properties and vacant lots over the years, and a severe crime problem.

References

  1. ↑ "Calgary Elections". City of Calgary. 2017. Retrieved November 12, 2017.
  2. 1 2 3 4 city-clerks. "The City of Calgary -" (PDF). calgary.ca. Retrieved August 12, 2018.
  3. ↑ "Calgary's Best Neighbourhoods 2015". www.avenuecalgary.com. Archived from the original on April 21, 2018. Retrieved April 20, 2018.
  4. 1 2 Federation of Calgary Communities. "Beltline Community Association". Archived from the original on January 29, 2007. Retrieved January 21, 2007.
  5. ↑ "Beltline redevelopment is busting out." Geoffrey Scotton, The Calgary Herald, March 25, 2001.
  6. ↑ Department, Calgary Fire (April 28, 2015). "Calgary Fire Stations listing". www.calgary.ca. Retrieved April 20, 2018.
  7. ↑ "Beltline Area Redevelopment Plan (Office Consolidation)" (PDF). February 2012. pp. 22–23. Retrieved April 14, 2013.
  8. ↑ Victoria Park BRZ. "Victoria Park" . Retrieved May 10, 2007.
  9. 1 2 City of Calgary (2004). "Ward 8 Profile" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on August 9, 2007. Retrieved May 9, 2007.
  10. ↑ City of Calgary. "Beltline - Area Redevelopment Plan" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on October 26, 2007. Retrieved September 28, 2007.
  11. ↑ "Beltline Planning". Archived from the original on December 12, 2007. Retrieved August 25, 2007.
  12. ↑ Communications, Customer Service &. "Green Line Stage One". Engage. Retrieved July 12, 2020.
  13. ↑ FFWD Magazine (May 2003). "Beltline united in urban vision". Archived from the original on March 11, 2007. Retrieved May 10, 2007.
  14. 1 2 City of Calgary (2006). "Beltline - Community Social Statistics" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on August 9, 2007. Retrieved May 3, 2007.
  15. ↑ Calgary Communities Archived March 13, 2005, at the Wayback Machine - Restricted development in Beltline
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.