Green Line LRT What we heard: Bow River LRT bridge March 2021 Green Line LRT: Bow River LRT bridge What We Heard Report | March 2021 Green Line LRT What we hear d: Bow River LRT bridge March 2021 Table of Contents EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ................................................................................................................................................ 3 PROJECT OVERVIEW ................................................................................................................................................... 5 ENGAGEMENT OVERVIEW .......................................................................................................................................... 6 ENGAGEMENT OBJECTIVES ............................................................................................................................................. 6 ENGAGEMENT APPROACH .............................................................................................................................................. 6 TARGET AUDIENCES ...................................................................................................................................................... 7 RESPECT FOR DIVERSITY, INCLUSION AND CULTURE .............................................................................................................. 7 ENGAGEMENT EVENTS AND PARTICIPATION ........................................................................................................................ 8 EVENT PROMOTION ...................................................................................................................................................... 9 WHAT WE ASKED AND WHAT WE HEARD ................................................................................................................. 10 WHAT WE ASKED ....................................................................................................................................................... 10 WHAT WE HEARD ....................................................................................................................................................... 10 KEY THEMES ............................................................................................................................................................. 12 NEXT STEPS ............................................................................................................................................................... 24 LIST OF APPENDICES ................................................................................................................................................. 25 APPENDIX A: GREEN LINE BOW RIVER LRT BRIDGE STAKEHOLDER WORKING GROUP ............................................. 26 APPENDIX B: ONLINE ENGAGEMENT PORTAL VERBATIM COMMENTS ..................................................................... 32 APPENDIX C: QUESTIONS AND COMMENTS FROM FEBRUARY 23 PUBLIC INFORMATION SESSION ......................... 96 APPENDIX D: VIRTUAL DROP-IN EVENT NOTES ......................................................................................................... 99 APPENDIX E: DEMOGRAPHICS ................................................................................................................................ 109 2/111 Green Line LRT What we hear d: Bow River LRT bridge March 2021 Executive summary The new Bow River LRT bridge will provide the critical link to connect the Green Line LRT with Calgary’s north central and southeast communities. The bridge will also provide new opportunities for those who walk and wheel, by connecting Crescent Heights with Eau Claire, Chinatown and the centre city. In June 2020, City Council approved the updated plan for Green Line LRT, which included an initial concept for the Bow River LRT bridge. The City committed to continue planning and engaging with residents for the Bow River LRT bridge and report back to the Green Line Committee with the Bow River LRT bridge plan in spring 2021, this includes: • Vision for the Bow River LRT bridge • Refined bridge alignment and shape of curve over Prince’s Island Park • Preferred bridge architectural form, including main span over the Bow River • Layout of the bridge’s multi-use pathway for pedestrians and cyclists Engagement conducted in fall 2020 revealed that Calgarians had differentiating visions for the new Bow River LRT bridge, from distinctive to low-key, including: • A desire for a bridge that incorporates convenient access points • An interest in multimodal bridge that is safe and comfortable for people walking and wheeling • Functional features including viewpoints and resting areas • A desire for environmentally sensitive design that does not encroach on Prince’s Island Park This phase of public engagement was conducted from February 16 to March 2, 2021 and included online engagement opportunities, virtual presentations and two online open house events. From January 20 to March 24, four meetings were also held with a Stakeholder Working Group, which was established to bring diverse stakeholder perspectives into the process. Promoted through social media, e-newsletters, print material distribution and direct outreach, The City’s communications efforts were focussed on impacted communities and city-wide promotion through social media, resulting in 1,386 visits to the online Engage Portal, 216 contributions to the online survey and 109 attending in-person sessions. We heard that a successful bridge is one that creates multi-use pathways that support active transportation and accessibility; considers the environment by reducing impact on river flows and that is complementary with the natural surroundings while maintaining Prince’s Island Park for recreational use; and supports mode shift and increased ridership by encouraging more people to take transit, thereby helping to reduce traffic congestion. Calgarians who participated in the engagement expressed preference for a low-profile bridge that spans the Bow River with a quiet design. The majority of respondents felt bridge forms that did not require a pier in the river were most acceptable, with a greater preference for the Bow River bridge span to include an arch below the deck. situated below deck that does not require a pier in the river. Maintaining views that 3/111 Green Line LRT What we hear d: Bow River LRT bridge March 2021 respect the skyline and protecting the natural environment were also identified as important to respondents. When it comes to views, the majority of respondents preferred a contextually appropriate design that complements the existing built environment, highlights the natural environment, and maintains unobstructed views of the downtown skyline and river valley. Safety was important to many respondents, especially related to the multi-use pathways, expressing a desire for physical separation between those who walk and wheel, protection from the trains, well-lit areas with non-slip surfaces, and pathways that are wide enough to incorporate elements for experiencing the bridge (viewing areas, plants and benches). Respondents also shared a variety of general comments related to transit and active transportation connections, accessibility and specific design elements and architecture, with support for a new focal point to frame views, interest in an elegant, curving form, and support for an arch or gateway element. With these comments, respondents mentioned specific locations, such as streets, intersections, neighbourhoods and landmarks, indicating a high degree of familiarity and interest in the bridge design and planning process. The ideas and input described in this report will help inform the Bow River LRT bridge plan, which will be brought forward to Calgarians and presented to Council’s Green Line Committee in April 2021. 4/111 Green Line LRT What we hear d: Bow River LRT bridge March 2021 Project overview In June 2020, City Council approved the updated plan for Green Line LRT, which included an initial concept for the Bow River LRT bridge. We committed to continue planning and engaging with residents for the Bow River LRT bridge and to report back to the Green Line Committee with the Bow River LRT bridge plan in spring 2021, this includes: • Vision for the Bow River LRT bridge • Refined bridge alignment and shape of curve over Prince’s Island Park • Preferred bridge architectural form, including main span over the Bow River • Layout of the bridge’s multi-use pathway for pedestrians and cyclists Previous Engagement From October to December 2020, The City conducted engagement on planning for the Green Line projects, including several project-specific workshops, general information sessions and online feedback. During this phase of engagement, we learned that even with the restrictions of COVID-19, Calgarians still want opportunities to provide input and stay informed as The City moves through the functional planning process. We also heard about the importance of providing good connections at both ends of the bridge, the need for a design suitable for people who walk and wheel (in addition to LRT), and the importance of minimizing impacts to Prince’s Island Park and the Eau Claire Promenade. Calgarians who participated in engagement expressed that the bridge needs to be carefully integrated into the surrounding communities in particular Chinatown, Eau Claire and Crescent Heights. Finally, we heard a variety of visions expressed for the new Bow River LRT bridge, from distinctive