PUBLIC CONSULTATION - You are invited!

PUBLIC CONSULTATION: FEBRUARY 9, 2010

SOUTH CALGARY COMMUNITY HALL

3130 16 ST SW – 7:00 PM

Fire Station No. 5, originally built in 1952, needs to expand in order to accommodate modern firefighting equipment. An expansion will serve residents by improving the response times for emergency vehicles and personnel. The new structure will have three bays and incorporate space for an ambulance. The Calgary Fire Department performs a commendable job of serving Calgarians and a new fire hall will ensure the overall safety of South Calgary, Mount Royal, Bankview, Altadore, Elbow Park, Richmond, Scarboro and Sunalta residents alike.

As part of the development process, the City of Calgary is going to host a public consultation to discuss the plans for the new $15 million facility. Since it is early in the process, an opportunity exists to comment on fundamental aspects of the project. It is critical that all concerned citizens and taxpayers voice their concerns about this large community investment.

Should the new fire hall be located here?

Image A: 14 ST SW at 30 AVE SW – North East Corner of South Calgary Park (Click on image for larger picture)

Would you rather see the new fire hall here?

Image B: 14 ST SW at 25 AVE SW – Vacant Commercial Space (Click on image for larger picture)

Benefits of this alternate location:

1. Fire trucks will continue to have excellent access to 14 ST SW going north or south with the added advantage of being able to get onto 26 AVE SW more quickly.
2. The location is safer for firefighters because of the close proximity to traffic lights.
3. The parcel of land shown above is larger than the proposed South Calgary Park subdivision. This would enable the CFD to build an adequately sized facility.
4. This particular location is on contaminated land. Building a new fire hall here would demonstrate environmental stewardship and ensure that the current environmental damage is managed in a timely manner.
5. The large trees and shared green space of South Calgary Park would remain intact.
6. The visual impact of a new fire hall would be a great improvement to an area that is in desperate need of redevelopment.

Currently, alternative locations such as the area suggested above have not been considered for the expansion. The reason for this is that the Community Service (S-CS) zoning for South Calgary Park would allow the city to proceed with their expansion plan without needing to purchase or swap new land. However, is it not more reasonable to redevelop polluted commercial space rather than lose park space?

Under the current plan, the old fire hall structure would be destroyed upon completion of the new building. If the alternate location were used, the old fire hall could be converted into a community-oriented space or could be reclaimed as parkland.

All residents of the area have innovative ideas regarding land use in our community. Make sure your voice is heard and show your support for the betterment of our city. Come to the public consultation at 7:00 PM, Tuesday February 9, 2010 at the South Calgary Community Hall (3130 16 ST SW). Also, please contact John.Mar@calgary.ca (Alderman Ward 8), Greg.Wilkes@calgary.ca (CFD Deputy Chief, Logistics and Infrastructure) and Vivian.Barr@calgary.ca (City of Calgary Senior Planning Technician) with your concerns.