Living in Calgary’s downtown core for over a decade, I’ve watched our CTrain stations evolve from simple transit stops to potential community hubs. This week, Calgary Transit announced plans that could breathe new life into several underutilized station spaces – a development many commuters and nearby business owners have long awaited.
Calgary Transit is moving forward with ambitious plans to revitalize vacant retail spaces at select CTrain stations, potentially transforming these areas into vibrant community focal points. The initiative targets several key stations, including Chinook, Southland, and Heritage stations along the Red Line.
“These spaces have incredible potential,” said Sharon Fleming, Director of Calgary Transit. “We’re not just looking at traditional retail options. We want businesses that will genuinely serve transit users and enhance their commuting experience.”
The announcement comes after several community engagement sessions where residents expressed desire for more amenities near transit hubs. As someone who regularly passes through these stations, I’ve noticed the stark difference between vibrant stations like Chinook, with its connection to the mall, and others that feel more like waiting areas rather than destinations.
According to Transit’s planning documents, the project aims to address multiple goals: increasing non-fare revenue, improving station safety through increased foot traffic, and offering convenient services to the approximately 90,000 daily CTrain riders.
The Calgary Transit initiative mirrors successful projects in cities like Toronto and Vancouver, where transit hubs have become integrated commercial spaces. City data shows that CTrain stations with active storefronts experience roughly 30% fewer security incidents than those without commercial activity.
Local business owner Maria Sanchez, who operates a coffee kiosk at Chinook Station, told me, “Having businesses at stations creates eyes on the street. My regular customers tell me they feel safer knowing there’s consistent activity here throughout the day.”
The initiative comes at a critical time for Calgary Transit, which has faced challenges attracting riders back after pandemic-related declines. Ridership currently sits at about 85% of pre-pandemic levels, according to the latest quarterly report from the City of Calgary.
Ward 11 Councillor Kourtney Penner, whose area includes multiple stations targeted for revitalization, expressed strong support. “Transit-oriented development isn’t just about building apartments near stations. It’s about creating complete communities where daily needs can be met within walking distance of transit.”
The types of businesses being considered include coffee shops, convenience stores, bicycle repair services, and small food vendors. Transit officials have indicated preference for local businesses over chains, hoping to create uniquely Calgarian experiences at each location.
“We don’t want cookie-cutter solutions,” Fleming explained. “What works at Chinook might not work at Heritage. Each neighborhood has different needs.”
For longtime residents like myself, this approach makes sense. The area around Heritage Station, for instance, has different demographics and traffic patterns than Southland, located near large residential developments.
Calgary Transit plans to issue requests for proposals by early summer, with the first new businesses potentially opening by year’s end. The initial phase focuses on stations with existing infrastructure, minimizing renovation costs.
The economic impact could be significant. According to the Calgary Economic Development Corporation, similar transit-retail integration projects in other cities have generated between $400-600 in revenue per square foot annually, while simultaneously increasing transit ridership by creating destination points.
“It’s a win-win scenario,” said urban planning consultant David McIntosh. “Transit agencies generate non-fare revenue while creating more appealing public spaces. Done right, these projects can transform how people think about and use public transit.”
Some challenges remain, including addressing security concerns that have plagued certain stations. Transit security data shows that calls for service increased 12% in 2023 compared to the previous year.
The revitalization plan includes enhanced lighting, more security cameras, and design elements that maximize visibility – all crime prevention techniques proven effective in transit settings according to Calgary Police Service reports.
For community advocates like Sarah Johnson from the Calgary Transit Riders Alliance, the plan addresses long-standing requests. “We’ve been asking for more amenities at stations for years. Transit isn’t just about getting from point A to B – it’s about creating public spaces where people feel comfortable and safe.”
As Calgary continues to grow and evolve, initiatives like this represent a promising approach to urban development that serves multiple community needs. While revitalizing CTrain station storefronts won’t solve all transit challenges, it’s a step toward creating the kind of integrated, mixed-use transit system that successful cities around the world have embraced.
The coming months will reveal whether this vision can become reality, but for now, it offers an encouraging sign that Calgary Transit is thinking beyond trains and tracks to the broader role transit plays in creating vibrant urban spaces.
