The City of Calgary is seeking feedback on a proposal to build housing near an LRT station in the city’s southeast as part of their housing strategy approved by city council last year. The park-and-ride lot on the south side of Franklin Station has been identified as a suitable site for transit oriented development. Ward 9 Coun. Gian-Carlo Carra believes this development will be the first of many in the city, transforming parking lots into permanent spaces for people and businesses. The location was chosen due to its proximity to the communities of Albert Park and Raddison Heights and is expected to be a huge enhancement to the neighborhood.
The city is currently engaging with the community on a concept plan for the site, with four different design options showing mixed-use buildings and public realm improvements. David Couroux, the planning lead for transit-oriented development, highlighted opportunities for onsite redevelopment for housing, enhancing transit facilities, improving safety for pedestrians and cyclists, and investing in a currently underutilized park in the area. The city is still in the process of finding a development partner to determine the number of units, both market and non-market, that will be included in the proposal. While some in the community have expressed concerns about potential spillover effects due to the elimination of parking at the LRT station, others like the idea of more housing near the station.
The first phase of public engagement on the proposal will continue through May 13, with a response to the input expected to be released in June. The city’s timeline aims to have a concept plan and zoning changes for the south lot ready for Calgary city council later this year, but construction and improvements to the public space are not slated to begin until 2026. Couroux mentioned that city officials are evaluating both city-owned and private sites near LRT stations across Calgary for potential transit-oriented development opportunities in the future.
Overall, the development of housing near the Franklin Station LRT in Calgary’s southeast is part of a larger initiative to transform parking lots around transit stations into permanent spaces for people and businesses. The proposal includes plans for mixed-use buildings, public realm improvements, and safety enhancements for pedestrians and cyclists in the area. While some in the community have expressed concerns about potential spillover effects due to the elimination of parking at the station, others are supportive of the idea of more housing near transit. The city is currently engaging with the public to gather feedback on the proposal, with the aim of having a concept plan and zoning changes ready for city council later this year.
