New Infrastructure Investments Contribute $152.8 M for Recovery

The City of Calgary announced today new infrastructure investments totaling $152.8 million for 2020-2021, to support a more competitive, accessible and resilient city during a year of unprecedented challenges.

Funding for these investments comes from the Province of Alberta’s $500 million Municipal Stimulus Program (MSP) for capital investment, announced July 28.

“We’ve got a long list of infrastructure needs in The City of Calgary,” said Mayor Naheed Nenshi. “This investment is going to let us get to work on some of the most pressing ones, including the repairs and upgrades our affordable housing stock requires. Strategic investments like this allow us to build a city that serves all of its people.”

The City reviewed ‘shovel-ready’ investments that met MSP criteria and supported Council priorities such as creating jobs; supporting vulnerable Calgarians; attracting investment; supporting climate and resilience outcomes; rehabilitating historic and cultural buildings; supporting mobility and accessibility; supporting Civic Partner facility upgrades and supporting parks projects.

Municipalities across Alberta that were approved for MSP funding also had to show how they are reducing red tape that gets in the way business.

“The most compassionate thing we can do right now is create jobs for Albertans. The MSP program provides vital infrastructure dollars to our municipal partners, so they can invest in Alberta’s economic recovery,” said Alberta Municipal Affairs minister Tracy Allard.

“I want to see visible local results in community after community across Alberta. MSP is creating those results. In these challenging times, we are protecting Albertans today and building Alberta for tomorrow,” Allard said.

The MSP Investments include:

Affordable Housing – repair and upgrade to existing units and construction of new units
Critical Road & Fiber Infrastructure Renewal - betterment and rehabilitation of streets and continuation of the Fiber Infrastructure Strategy
Cultural Building Envelope Upgrades – upgrades to: the Glenbow Museum, Jack Singer Concert Hall / Public Building, and the Northwest Travellers Building
Facility Upgrades -upgrades to: TELUS Spark Science Centre, Heritage Park, Calgary Zoo, Fort Calgary, and others.
Park System Upgrades –Eau Claire public realm improvements, construction of a dome at Shouldice Athletic Park, improving infrastructure, river access upgrades, biodiversity implementation and naturalization of existing parks and open spaces

Stormwater Community Drainage Improvements – improvements in established communities to reduce risk of flooding and improve resiliency against the impacts of climate change
Transit Infrastructure – provide transit lanes, queue jumps and traffic signal upgrades along 52 Street SE

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Media Backgrounder attached

Contact:
City of Calgary Media Relations Line
mediarelations@calgary.ca
403-828-2954

Justin Marshall, Press Secretary,Municipal Affairs,
Cell: 780-913-0264, Justin.Marshall@gov.ab.ca