Varcoe: Timing may be right for Calgary chamber’s $500M request

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When final 12 months’s provincial funds supplied solely $5 million to revitalize the town’s downtown, the mayor dismissed it as a pittance, whereas the top of the Calgary Chamber of Commerce deemed it “completely not.” inadequate.”

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With a brand new funds coming later this month and an election looming in Might, the town’s enterprise group is on the lookout for extra — a lot, far more — from the province, together with assist for a brand new occasion middle.

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If all this have been to occur, a fleet of Brinks circumstances could be wanted to unload the transport on the city corridor.

It is actually a colossal request to spend money on the larger downtown: nearer to $450 million.

However the metropolis’s core additionally wants some large investments to get again on observe and thus far virtually all of the funding is coming from the civil authorities.

With Calgary set to change into a key battleground within the spring provincial election, the timing of the chamber’s large “ask” is greater than coincidental.

It is good coverage and good politics.

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If ever native enterprise operators and residents have been able to get severe consideration from political events, that is absolutely the second.

“Properly, if we get half, it is all good,” Calgary chamber CEO Deborah Yedlin joked Tuesday because the group launched its 2023 election platform, a want record of kinds for the group.

“It is actually necessary to place the numbers on the query, so folks perceive the size of what we have to actually revitalize downtown.”

The request is nice.

So are the problems that have to be tackled within the core, from a scarcity of vibrancy within the evenings and ongoing safety considerations, to a emptiness charge in downtown workplace towers that’s nonetheless over 25 p.c.

In its new platform, the chamber is looking for provincial funding of at the very least $40 million to help the conversion of workplace buildings into housing items, startup areas and to host post-secondary college within the space.

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The chamber doc requires $200 million in extra help for varied arts organizations throughout the town, together with the Glenbow Museum, Arts Commons and the Nationwide Music Middle.

It desires practically $6 million earmarked for native security measures, resembling hiring extra transit peace officers.

“No matter (occasion) comes into management . . . investing in your downtown ought to be one in all your high priorities. Investing in your metropolis middle additionally helps with the protection elements,” mentioned Coun. Sonya Sharp.

“With extra folks downtown, the notion is that it is safer.”

The enterprise group is asking for $108 million to help current group growth initiatives, together with work on Olympic Plaza, Stephen Avenue and redevelopment of downtown’s west finish.

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Lastly, the chamber desires to see the town’s Tradition and Leisure District superior — together with the brand new occasion middle/enviornment — by offering $100 million and waiving county property taxes for the district for at the very least a decade.

Add all of it up and the request for the bigger downtown comes to almost $450 million.

With a separate request for $55 million to improve the Olympic Oval and skating rink, that pushes the entire to greater than $500 million.

“It is completely cheap,” Mayor Jyoti Gondek mentioned in an interview.

“Town has already invested greater than $400 million, and we’ve seen the fruits of that return play out . . . We’re actually pushing laborious to have extra post-secondary faculties down right here. So, sure, it is a completely honest query.”

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How will that request go over in different elements of the province, that are battling their very own infrastructure wants?

And looking for $100 million in provincial funding for a brand new enviornment in Calgary shall be a troublesome promote politically in lots of corners.

Nonetheless, the province is in an enviable monetary place and expects to publish a $12.3 billion surplus for the 12 months ending in March.

With a brand new funds looming on February 28, Jobs and Economic system Minister Brian Jean wasn’t about to just accept any of the chamber’s requests Tuesday, however did not rule any out both.

“There are some nice concepts there and we’re on the identical web page on a lot of the objects. Everybody has a unique opinion on the place to spend cash,” Jean mentioned.

“I perceive how necessary city facilities are. And, sure, I consider the Alberta authorities ought to play a key function in serving to the municipality – whether or not it is in Edmonton, Calgary, Grande Prairie or Fort McMurray – to repair and enhance their downtowns and the remainder of their communities. enhance.”

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NDP MP Joe Ceci, the previous metropolis councillor, mentioned his occasion “shares the identical priorities because the chamber, together with fiscal duty, addressing affordability . . . and making strategic investments in infrastructure that drives financial development.”

In an announcement, he pointed to coverage proposals the occasion has already made on rising the tech business, revitalizing downtown Calgary and creating a talented workforce.

Will the room’s request pay dust?

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Whereas the value tag of all his suggestions exceeds half a billion {dollars}, there’s one other quantity to think about: 26 provincial seats are positioned in Calgary, out of 87 ridings throughout the province.

With polls displaying Edmonton leaning closely in the direction of the NDP, and smaller facilities and rural areas leaning in the direction of the UCP, capturing seats in Calgary shall be essential for both occasion to win the Might election.

“I do not suppose it is unusual to ask for $450 million in infrastructure funding, because it’s really an funding sooner or later,” says College of Alberta political scientist Jared Wesley.

“It makes good coverage sense. I believe each events will see it pretty much as good political sense, as they should win seats there to kind authorities.”

Chris Varcoe is a Calgary Herald columnist.

cvarcoe@postmedia.com