Calgary Municipal Land Corporation prepares for ambitious year of progress in Rivers District, expansion into new communities

New 2025-2029 Strategic Plan outlines continued Rivers District investment and application of community-building expertise beyond the District’s boundaries in support of City’s housing strategy

Calgary Municipal Land Corporation (CMLC) is pleased to share the details of the organization’s ambitious 2025-2029 Strategic Plan, which charts a course that balances continued investment and progress in the Rivers District, ongoing excellence in project delivery for major vertical and infrastructure builds, and expansion of the organization’s city-building leadership to drive social impact, investment and economic value to communities outside the Rivers District.

“As we continue to transform and advance development progress in East Village and The Culture + Entertainment District, we have worked to expand opportunities for CMLC to leverage our skillset to create even more value for Calgary,” said Kate Thompson, CMLC’s President and CEO. “In consideration of CMLC’s long term growth and supported by rigorous analysis, we’ve identified an opportunity for CMLC to apply our master-planning and city-building expertise to the development of transit-oriented communities (TOC) on City-owned lands along Calgary’s CTrain network. This expanded portfolio of work responds to key priorities in The City of Calgary’s housing strategy, and is a natural alignment for CMLC given our mandate for urban densification and community renewal. This is work we know will provide value to Calgarians and is a timely response to enabling much needed housing in our city.”

CMLC has been working with The City of Calgary to forge a partnership that supports The City’s housing strategy, which is driven by a vision to ensure everyone in Calgary has an affordable place to call home. Increasing the housing supply to meet demand and increase affordability, and disposing of City-owned assets within transit-oriented development sites to enable a mix of market and non-market housing, are key outcomes of the strategy. The development of transit-oriented communities – which create a range of housing opportunities, amenities and services with improved mobility and access for an entire community – is a strategic and effective use of City-owned lands to realize our shared housing goals.

“Applying CMLC’s expertise in master planning and proven success in removing barriers to attract private investment will advance development opportunities on underutilized sites and enable a comprehensive community-building approach to TOC development,” continued Thompson. “CMLC’s work in East Village over the past 18 years, a large-scale TOC in itself, is an example of how strategic public investment attracts private investment and creates vibrant, well-rounded communities. As a trusted, wholly owned subsidiary of The City with a proven track record, this is a natural strategic partnership between CMLC and our Shareholder.”

In 2024, City Council approved an allocation of $20M in support of The City’s TOC strategy, which enables CMLC to initiate planning and analysis and to establish development priorities for its TOC portfolio. CMLC is advancing early planning for its TOC mandate, beginning with procurement for master design and planning services, and exploration of potential sites. CMLC will share more details about sites, timing and next steps as planning advances through 2025.

Within the Rivers District, 2025 will see significant progress in the delivery of the masterplan vision for East Village and The Culture + Entertainment District as vibrant and established communities, including:

• District Infrastructure: CMLC continues to lead the delivery of infrastructure associated with the forthcoming Scotia Place. In 2025 CMLC will advance design and procurement work for streetscape and public realm improvements along 14 Ave, the creation of 5A Street, and enhancements to 17 Ave and up to 25 Ave S.E. RFPs for a Prime Design team and Construction Manager are currently in market, and more details about design and construction will be shared as planning progresses.
  
  Over the past 15 months CMLC has collaborated with The City to procure and assemble a Progressive Design Build team for 6 Street S.E. Underpass, and the project is ready to move through design development in 2025. The City of Calgary’s Infrastructure Services department will lead construction delivery of the project to maximize efficiencies with their delivery of Scotia Place and associated project agreements.
• Arts Commons and Olympic Plaza Transformation Projects: Construction on the Arts Commons Transformation expansion is underway, with dozens of crew on site daily to support the early stages of demolition and site preparation. The adjacent Olympic Plaza Transformation is in design, and a design reveal is expected in early Q2 of this year.
• Safety & Vitality: In continuation of the safety and vitality work CMLC has stewarded in the Rivers District in recent years, including participation in the Downtown Safety Leadership Table in 2024, CMLC will continue to advance safety and vitality initiatives in the Rivers District in 2025. Through ongoing collaboration with The City of Calgary, Calgary Police Service and service providers like Alpha House’s HELP Team, CMLC remains an advocate for continued investment in joint strategies that support safety and the perception of safety in our communities. Through initiatives like the washroom attendant pilot program at East Village’s new public washrooms, CMLC remains committed to ensuring its communities are welcoming, safe and inclusive for all.
• Ongoing Development Progress: Following the announcement of new parcel sales and development progress in East Village in late 2024, CMLC will continue to work with development partners to steward the planning and construction of new homes in the neighbourhood in 2025. With the expanded BMO Centre now open in The Culture + Entertainment District, CMLC will continue to work with the Calgary Stampede to advance development planning on key sites, including hotel development.

Kate Thompson concludes, “As we begin to expand our city-building efforts beyond the Rivers District’s boundaries, we will do so with our usual unflagging focus on delivering value for the city we serve. We believe in Calgary and our shared potential, and our team of 38 city-builders and placemakers is ready and eager to deliver another ambitious year of growth and progress for our city.”