Calgary's Public Realm

[Chadillaccc]

Originally Posted by *Stardust*

Druh Farrell confirmed on her Facebook page under the 1st street underpass comments that the 8th street corridor upgrade will start in May

That is awesome to hear. These underpass improvements are really going to be massive improvements to the urban realm of this city. They are used by literally everyone who works or lives downtown at one point or another, so they will make a noticeable and measurable impact.

This is what we've seen so far of the 8th street underpass...




http://www.calgaryherald.com/touch/story.html?id=9569969

[Fuzz]

Originally Posted by *Stardust*

Druh Farrell confirmed on her Facebook page under the 1st street underpass comments that the 8th street corridor upgrade will start in May

Awesome, that one is a dump. On Thursday water was spewing from that pipe that goes across the road bridge.

i also wonder if the Roadhouse closing has something to do with the upgrades? not sure if the design called on encroaching on that lot or not.

[Chadillaccc]

It looks like the first street underpass will actually have programmable screens, protected by perforated anodized aluminum.




http://awards.canadianarchitect.com/2012/?portfolio=1st-street-sw-underpass-enhancement

[93JC]

Originally Posted by Chadillaccc

It looks like the first street underpass will actually have programmable screens, protected by perforated anodized aluminum.
http://awards.canadianarchitect.com/2012/?portfolio=1st-street-sw-underpass-enhancement

The way I read it the aluminum screen will be cut and lit by the LEDs in such a way that there will be different letters visible in it depending on the POV of the person walking by. The background itself is just a vinyl film with a landscape or something like that on it.

Not what I would call "programmable", but I think I see where you might have gotten that impression. Can't blame you, that page is a mess. Whoever wrote it needs to put down the thesaurus, e.g. "The initial gesture, a layering of two folded skins, forms a composite wall assembly interdigitizing the mitigation of prevailing safety and comfort issues with the creation of a meaningful experience for the user."

"Interdigitizing"? What the fuck is that supposed to mean?

[Chadillaccc]

yeah I see what you mean now. It's still going to be awesome though.

[Fuzz]

Originally Posted by 93JC

The way I read it the aluminum screen will be cut and lit by the LEDs in such a way that there will be different letters visible in it depending on the POV of the person walking by. The background itself is just a vinyl film with a landscape or something like that on it.

Not what I would call "programmable", but I think I see where you might have gotten that impression. Can't blame you, that page is a mess. Whoever wrote it needs to put down the thesaurus, e.g. "The initial gesture, a layering of two folded skins, forms a composite wall assembly interdigitizing the mitigation of prevailing safety and comfort issues with the creation of a meaningful experience for the user."

"Interdigitizing"? What the fuck is that supposed to mean?

My brief googling tells me it is "When two peoples fingers go in between each others." Which in that context makes perfect sense. If you are on acid.

[RyLucky]

Originally Posted by Fuzz

My brief googling tells me it is "When two peoples fingers go in between each others." Which in that context makes perfect sense. If you are on acid.

[Spring2008]

Originally Posted by Fuzz

Awesome, that one is a dump. On Thursday water was spewing from that pipe that goes across the road bridge.

i also wonder if the Roadhouse closing has something to do with the upgrades? not sure if the design called on encroaching on that lot or not.

Roadhouse is getting redeveloped to something high end.

Great news about the 8th st underpass.

[Chadillaccc]

Has anyone noticed that while all of these parks are having incredible redevelopments done to them, no mention has been made about Olympic Plaza?

My theory is that they're going to wait to do Olympic Plaza until they begin construction on the subway. Might be a good thing, could be bad though, because not only would so much money be going to the subway (leaving potentially less money for the OP rebuild) but it could also be decades until it happens. If that's the case... lame!

[Spring2008]

Anybody catch the final design renderings for the 16th av beltline park, there was an open house yest.

[googspecial]

Here you go: PDF

• Video Link

From: http://www.calgary.ca/CSPS/Parks/Pages/Construction/West-Connaught-Park.aspx

[nick.flood]

delete

[UofC.engineer]

Originally Posted by Chadillaccc

Has anyone noticed that while all of these parks are having incredible redevelopments done to them, no mention has been made about Olympic Plaza?

My theory is that they're going to wait to do Olympic Plaza until they begin construction on the subway. Might be a good thing, could be bad though, because not only would so much money be going to the subway (leaving potentially less money for the OP rebuild) but it could also be decades until it happens. If that's the case... lame!

I don't think olympic plaza is in need of a redevelopment quite yet. It seems to be a functional space and draws people year round. There are areas that are over grown and there are too many homeless people that hang out there for my liking but all in all it seems to do the trick. You are probably right though, the plaza could use a facelift when the subways goes through.

[Spring2008]

Looks pretty good, more info:

go backNews Calgary
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Thomson Family Park taking inspiration from lawn bowling heritage
City could break ground on the Beltline park later this year
Feb 06, 2015 3:07 PM MT
CBC News
media duration: 4:07play video
Watch a 3D fly-through of the final design. (Video: City of Calgary)
VIDEO
The City of Calgary has released the final concept design for a revamped green space in the Beltline.

The parcel of land at 16th Avenue between 11th and 12th streets southwest currently has a picnic area and playground on the east side, while the Calgary Lawn Bowling Club occupies the west side.

But with the club moving to a new location in the Spruce Cliff community next fall — and with a $2-million donation from the Thomson family — the green space will be dramatically transformed.


An aerial view of the project site for the proposed Thomson Family Park located in Calgary's Beltline. (City of Calgary)
The site's lawn bowling history was a strong inspiration for the design of the proposed Thomson Family Park.

"The site has a cultural landscape designation," said Michelle Wong, project manager for City of Calgary Parks. "So that's why we were very cognizant to recognize all the heritage elements and celebrate them in a way that's integrated, not just where the lawn bowling occurred but throughout the whole new design of the park."


An aerial view of the "heritage lawn" planned for the park in Calgary's inner-city. (City of Calgary)
The plans includes a big, open green space the city is calling a "heritage lawn." It is the same size, shape and location as one of the existing bowling greens, but is imagined as an open game space for anything from bocce and soccer to yoga. The overhead lights will be retained for use at night.

The design team looked a lawn bowl's arched path of travel for the new park's defining feature: its curved pathway. Lining the path will be a sequence of fountains.


The curved pathway through the park, which has water features and a playground nearby, is inspired by the lawn bowling club that called the green space home for many years. (City of Calgary)
Other elements include a park pavilion with an overlook, a hill slide and a new playground with a rubberized fall surface.

"I think what's exciting for the community is the fact that they're going to be getting three times the amount of open and accessible green space at this site," Wong said.

The city still has more detailed design work and permits and approvals to secure before breaking ground, which it hopes to do later in 2015.

See a detailed map of the park plans below. On mobile? Click here.

http://www.cbc.ca/m/news/canada/calgary/...ion-from-lawn-bowling-heritage-1.2948147

[MasterG]

Originally Posted by Chadillaccc

That is awesome to hear. These underpass improvements are really going to be massive improvements to the urban realm of this city. They are used by literally everyone who works or lives downtown at one point or another, so they will make a noticeable and measurable impact.

This is what we've seen so far of the 8th street underpass...




http://www.calgaryherald.com/touch/story.html?id=9569969

Do we know much about the staging of the proposed plan? Rumours from last year was that the underpass would begin first, followed shortly after by the southern-most section 17th Ave but haven't heard much since.

Do we know much more about the overall plan and project schedule? I would be disappointed if we see another 5-year roll-out like the 13th Ave Greenway project.

[outoftheice]

Speaking of the Greenway, I thought the plan for that was to extend it to the west as far as 8th Street W so that it would link with the busiest pedestrian corridor?? Am I just incorrectly remembering things or was the scope of the project cut back at some point?

[MasterG]

Originally Posted by outoftheice

Speaking of the Greenway, I thought the plan for that was to extend it to the west as far as 8th Street W so that it would link with the busiest pedestrian corridor?? Am I just incorrectly remembering things or was the scope of the project cut back at some point?

If I recall there was talk of extending all the way to Sunalta at one point. I believe they never secured funding past 4th Street SW though. Doubt we will ever see it.

I am happy with the sections they completed, as it has the most room and required the most design-love compared to other stretches, but I wish we could complete these pedestrian projects faster, they seem to take forever to complete for being so small projects. So many narrow - but high-trafficked - areas on inner-city sidewalks that will take decades to get to at this pace.

17th Ave (essentially from Macleod all the way to 14th), 4th Street, 5th Street could all use some serious love for a good proportion of their length. Even if it is not very fancy, just some wider sidewalks and a few trees would do wonders.

[Spring2008]

Originally Posted by MasterG

Do we know much about the staging of the proposed plan? Rumours from last year was that the underpass would begin first, followed shortly after by the southern-most section 17th Ave but haven't heard much since.

Do we know much more about the overall plan and project schedule? I would be disappointed if we see another 5-year roll-out like the 13th Ave Greenway project.

Somebody mentioned the 8 st underpass is scheduled to start in May, not sure the phasing after that. Seems like the big issue is funding with all these projects. Wooster mentioned a new funding arrangement for public realm/pedestrian projects, hopefully we'll more hear soon.

[Spring2008]

Another new urban park in EV starting this year. Only one render shown, looks promising. Wish CMLC would start doing some work in the Beltline.

http://metronews.ca/news/calgary/1302757...ght-along-the-lrt-line-in-east-village/#

[RyLucky]

Originally Posted by Spring2008

Another new urban park in EV starting this year. Only one render shown, looks promising. Wish CMLC would start doing some work in the Beltline.

http://metronews.ca/news/calgary/1302757...ght-along-the-lrt-line-in-east-village/#

We aren't going to remove existing trees, right?