Downtown businesses overwhelmingly oppose elevated Green Line LRT: report

A new City of Calgary update shows strong resistance from downtown businesses and property owners to the province’s preferred above‑ground Green Line LRT alignment, even as overall public sentiment citywide remains more positive.

The report that will head to council’s Executive Committee on Tuesday outlines the latest engagement results as functional planning continues for the downtown segment of the project.

It highlights a sharp divide between those directly along the proposed route and Calgarians at large.

Over 80 per cent of business and property owners along the route who participated in the city’s engagement process reported a negative impression of the elevated alignment. The province’s preferred route would run west between the proposed Event Centre/Grand Central Station along 10 Avenue in the Beltline, then turn north onto 2 Street SW.

Restaurant owner John Batas said opposition among those in the area is nearly universal.

“Everyone I’ve talked to is against it… they just see the traffic, the congestion it would cause,” he said. “I don’t know if we’d survive to be honest with you.”

The sentiment is more favourable for Calgarians in general, with 65 per cent of residents who took part in a survey expressing some level of support for an elevated option.

Ward 8 Coun. Nathaniel Schmidt said the numbers reflect two separate dynamics.

“Calgarians want the Green Line to be built,” he said. “What we are seeing through these results is concern that we don’t want it to not get built.”

Schmidt also raised technical concerns, including the height required to clear the CPKC rail line and existing Plus 15s.

“I don’t think we have enough clarity on how those complications will affect it being built and if those complications actually result in something that is more cost‑effective,” Schmidt says.

In a statement to CityNews, the province thanked participants but maintained support for the above‑ground alignment, arguing it avoids billions in tunnelling costs.

Guy Huntingford of NAIOP Calgary said the province must acknowledge the strong opposition from those directly affected.

“If you are a stakeholder in the downtown or in the Beltline you are very negative,” he said. “We are hoping (the province) allows the functional study to expand its work and look for different options.”

The city expects to release more information on cost validation later this month. For now, businesses along the proposed route are waiting to see whether an underground option is still possible.

Batas said he has repeatedly invited Alberta Transportation Minister Devin Dreeshen to visit his restaurant and see the concerns firsthand.

“Come and walk in our shoes see what we have to deal with, and he’s declined every time,” says Batas.

More information on the concept is available on the City of Calgary’s website.