Summary#

Council passed third reading of Bylaws 1L2026 and 2L2026 on March 31, 2026. They authorize enhanced maintenance as local improvements on Stephen Avenue Mall and Barclay Mall, with costs shared by the City and adjacent property owners. City staff say the goal is to maintain and improve these downtown pedestrian corridors.

• The work covers 8 Avenue between 1 Street SE and 4 Street SW, and 3 Street SW between Barclay Parade and 9 Avenue SW.
• The 2026 work includes extra snow and ice control, street cleaning and lighting, and repairs to street furniture and surfaces.
• Adjacent property owners pay half of the shareable costs through a local improvement tax, to be levied in 2027.
• The City has run this enhanced maintenance program since the 1980s and Council approves the related bylaws each year.

What it means for you#

• Adjacent property owners: Their properties are subject to a share of the cost. The material does not give each owner’s tax amount.
• People using the malls: The City will provide the listed enhanced maintenance. The bylaws do not create a new service or promise a particular level of safety or cleanliness.
• Other Calgarians: The City pays half of the shareable costs and funds normal maintenance through its Mobility operating budget.

Money#

The report estimates $709,767 for the two malls’ 2026 maintenance work.

• The report’s table lists $93,915 for normal maintenance, leaving $615,852 in shareable costs: $307,926 for property owners and $307,926 for the City.
• The local improvement tax will be levied in 2027. The City’s share and normal maintenance are funded through the Mobility operating budget.
• Maintenance of the walking and wheeling lane at the west end of 8 Avenue SW is excluded and funded separately through the Winter Operations budget.

What is unclear#

• The report’s prose gives a different figure—$687,704—as the amount from which normal maintenance is deducted. That does not match its table, which shows $709,767 in total costs.
• The material does not state each property owner’s tax amount or how the amount is calculated for each property.
• Notices were sent to affected owners on December 3, 2025. The report says no petition forms were requested or filed.

Case for#

• City staff say the work helps prevent deterioration and maintain or improve accessibility, cleanliness and safety on two downtown pedestrian corridors.
• Staff say the work supports walking and other travel options, and helps attract visitors and businesses. These are expected benefits, not guaranteed results.
• The 50/50 split shares the shareable cost between the City and adjacent property owners.

Case against#

• The tax requires adjacent property owners to pay half the shareable costs, but the report does not show the amount each owner will owe.
• The inconsistent cost figures make it harder to confirm the total being shared.
• City staff say the City’s ability to complete the enhanced maintenance could be negatively affected if the bylaws were not approved.