Planning, Development & Assessment Department Report to The SPC on Planning and Urban Development 2012 January 18

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CENTRE CITY WAYFINDING PROJECT IMPLEMENTATION STRATEGY EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Administration is seeking withdrawals from two special funds for the Downtown and Beltline to implement Phase 1 of the Centre City Wayfinding Project. Administration is recommending that capital funding for the pedestrian wayfinding elements be provided to meet the objective of implementing this phase in summer 2012 to support the increased numbers of visitors anticipated to visit Calgary for Stampede Centenary and 2012 Cultural Capital events. ADMINISTRATION RECOMMENDATION(S) That the SPC on Planning and Urban Development recommends that Council: 1) Endorse the recommendation of the Beltline Community Investment Fund (BCIF) committee to commit $350,000 from the BCIF capital deposit to contribute to the capital costs of the Centre City Wayfinding Project in 2012; 2) Approve capital budget and appropriation of $350,000 in 2012 for Program 616 Centre City Initiatives, funded from the BCIF capital deposit; 3) Approve a $250,000 budget and appropriation advance from the Downtown Improvement Capital Program 152 in 2012, $125,000 in 2013, and $125,000 in 2014; and 4) Authorize Administration to exceed the annual $300,000 funding limit from the Downtown Improvement reserve fund by $250,000 for the advanced funds in 2012; That the SPC on Planning and Urban Development: 1) Forward this report to the 2012 January 23 meeting of Council in order to support the project timelines. PREVIOUS COUNCIL DIRECTION / POLICY On 2011 June 20, Council approved report LPT2011-40 Terms of Reference Beltline Community Investment Fund (BCIF). As outlined in these terms project funding requests that exceed $75,000 must be approved by Council. On 2006 May 15, Council approved the Beltline Area Redevelopment Plan (ARP), which allows for the earning of bonus density through cash contributions to the Beltline Community Investment Fund (BCIF). The Fund was created in conjunction with the density bonusing policies outlined in the ARP and implemented through the Land Use Bylaw 1P2007. The Downtown Improvement Reserve Fund was created in 1986 to assist in the implementation of public realm improvements in the Downtown. As per LPT2008-74, an ongoing annual expenditure up to a maximum of $300,000 can be spent on small scale improvements in the downtown area. The Land Use Planning & Policy 2012-2014 capital budget Program 152 Downtown Improvement has $900,000 ($300,000 annually) funding from the Downtown Improvement reserve. BACKGROUND The Centre City Wayfinding Project was first identified in the 2007 Centre City Plan. The Plan recommended a comprehensive wayfinding program to better support how people get to and travel around Centre City, and to promote tourism and economic development by increasing access to and awareness of Centre City attractions.
Approval(s): GM (David Watson) concurs with this report. Author (Ben Barrington)

Planning, Development & Assessment Department Report to The SPC on Planning and Urban Development 2012 January 18

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CENTRE CITY WAYFINDING PROJECT IMPLEMENTATION STRATEGY The Wayfinding Project has been developed through guidance provided by City plans and policies, professional wayfinding consultants, and input provided by 50 internal and external stakeholders. Implementation of the Project has been split into two phases that align with the corporate goal of putting pedestrians first. Phase 1 will provide pedestrian and transit oriented wayfinding. Phase 2 will provide vehicular wayfinding. The objective of Administration and Stakeholders is to implement Phase 1 in summer 2012 in order to support the increased number of people anticipated to visit Calgary for the Stampede Centenary and 2012 Cultural Capital events. Phase 2 would be implemented in future years once additional funding has been secured. INVESTIGATION: ALTERNATIVES AND ANALYSIS The capital cost to implement Phase 1 pedestrian wayfinding has been estimated at $700,000. Administration recommends that the $700,000 in capital funding be contributed equally through two funds: (1) Downtown Improvement reserve fund; and (2) Beltline Community Investment Fund (BCIF). The Downtown Improvement reserve fund receives monies from license fees charged to commercial users of public rights-of-way. The BCIF receives monies through a bonus density program. Downtown Improvement Reserve Fund Contribution The Land Use Planning & Policy 2012-2014 capital budget Program 152 Downtown Improvement has $900,000 ($300,000 annually) funding from the Downtown Improvement reserve. $100,000 of the $300,000 allocated for 2012 in Program 152 has been committed to the Wayfinding Project. The remaining $200,000 has previously been committed to other downtown initiatives. In order to implement Phase 1 in 2012 it is requested that the Wayfinding Project receive a $250,000 budget and appropriation advance from the Downtown Improvement capital Program 152 ($125,000 in 2013 and $125,000 in 2014) to support pedestrian wayfinding requirements in the downtown area. This request exceeds the $300,000 annual funding limit mandated by the reserve fund and requires approval of Council to proceed. Beltline Community Investment Fund Contribution Administration submitted an application to the BCIF committee on 2011 November 8 requesting the Committees approval to provide $350,000 of BCIF funds in 2012 to support pedestrian wayfinding requirements in the Beltline (Attachment 1). The BCIF Committee voted to approve this funding request and forward the funding request to Council for endorsement. Council is requested to approve the capital budget and appropriation of $350,000 in 2012 for Program 616 Centre City Initiatives, funded from the BCIF capital deposit.

Approval(s): GM (David Watson) concurs with this report. Author (Ben Barrington)

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CENTRE CITY WAYFINDING PROJECT IMPLEMENTATION STRATEGY Stakeholder Engagement, Research and Communication Fifty stakeholder organizations were engaged during the planning and development of the Centre City Wayfinding Project. As part of the engagement process, Administration engaged the BCIF Committee through the funding application process (Attachment). Strategic Alignment The Centre City Wayfinding Project is aligned with The Citys various policies and plans to support the needs of pedestrians, including, but not limited to the Municipal Development Plan and the Calgary Transportation Plan. The Beltline ARP identifies the need to provide wayfinding elements in the public realm; wayfinding is also identified in multiple action items throughout the Centre City Plan. The project is also aligned with the objectives of the Downtown Improvement Reserve Fund and the BCIF. The Downtown Improvement Reserve Fund was created to assist in the implementation of public realm improvements in the downtown area by helping fund small scale improvements. The BCIF is to be used for public realm improvements projects on public lands or within public rights-of-way within the Beltline community. The project is also aligned with the recommendation of CPS2010-059, to Build emergency locator information into a wayfinding signage program currently being developed for Calgarys Centre City. Social, Environmental, Economic (External) Social Funding the Wayfinding Project will help promote the unique character of Centre City. Signage helps visitors feel more comfortable in unfamiliar surroundings, enhancing their confidence to explore Centre City communities and attractions. Environmental Funding the project will help encourage and support sustainable modes of transportation, such as walking, bicycling and public transportation. Economic (External) The funding provided for this program can provide a return on investment by stimulating and promoting economic and tourism growth. Wayfinding helps instil confidence in visitors, allowing them to explore larger areas for longer periods of time, spending more discretionary dollars and contributing to economic development of local business. Financial Capacity Current and Future Operating Budget: Regular maintenance to address cleanliness and vandalism will be provided by Administration through day-to-day operational activities. Administration will ensure mapped destinations remain up to date. Alternate funding sources to support the long-term maintenance of the wayfinding content are currently being explored.

Approval(s): GM (David Watson) concurs with this report. Author (Ben Barrington)

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CENTRE CITY WAYFINDING PROJECT IMPLEMENTATION STRATEGY Current and Future Capital Budget: The capital cost to implement Phase 1 pedestrian wayfinding has been estimated at $700,000. This report recommends that the funds be provided from both the Downtown Improvement Reserve Fund to be budgeted in capital Program 152 Downtown Improvement for $350,000 and Beltline Community Investment Fund for $350,000 to be budgeted in Program 616 Centre City Initiatives in 2012. The Wayfinding Project is not specifically identified in the Capital Budget; however, it is consistent with larger initiatives identified in City plans and policies supporting pedestrian, transit and vehicular mobility. Additional work is required to design and calculate the cost estimates for Phase 2 of the Wayfinding Project. The City is exploring funding opportunities to support this phase, including partnerships and provincial grants. Risk Assessment There are no significant risks associated with this issue and operational and/or project risks have been identified and are being managed. Potential risks include Capital Budget not allocated to implement Phase 1 of the Wayfinding Project by summer 2012, which is desired to support the increased number of visitors expected to visit Calgary for Stampede Centenary and 2012 Cultural Capital events. Risk is being managed through the recommendations of this report to provide the capital funds required to support pedestrian wayfinding through both the Downtown Improvement Reserve Fund and the BCIF. REASON(S) FOR RECOMMENDATION(S): Capital funding through the Downtown Improvement Reserve Fund and the BCIF is required to support Phase 1 pedestrian wayfinding. Timely approval of this recommendation will ensure that Phase 1 can be completed in summer 2012. ATTACHMENT(S) Beltline Community Investment Fund Minutes of November 2011 Meeting

Approval(s): GM (David Watson) concurs with this report. Author (Ben Barrington)