Calgarians are being encouraged to visit Stephen Avenue as work to revamp the historic street hits an important milestone. Stephen Avenue (Eighth Avenue S.W.) is a pedestrian area between Fourth Street S.W. and First Street S.E., featuring stores, restaurants, cafés, bars and pubs. Plans to revamp the avenue were announced in 2019, and the renovation between First Street S.E. and Centre Street has been completed. In celebration, the City of Calgary and several community partners have launched See You on Stephen Avenue, an initiative aimed at enticing visitors to the area. “We’re inviting people to come downtown, explore what’s new and support the businesses that make this street unique,” said Mayor Jeromy Farkas. “Every visit and every purchase made on Stephen Avenue helps strengthen our local economy and support the Calgarians behind it.” As part of the initiative, Explore Downtown YYC is offering complimentary evening and weekend parking at the nearby Harmony Parkade through June 2027, making it easier for people to stop by. “Stephen Avenue is a cornerstone of downtown Calgary and a key part of our city’s identity,” Farkas said. “For generations, it has been one of Calgary’s most important gathering places, where people come to shop, dine, connect and celebrate.” The revitalization includes new benches, enhanced lighting and the upgrading of street surfaces, water pipes, electrical lines and stormwater systems.
