[Flames in 07]

Pulling the thought from the Apple thread, what does Calgary need to be more livable?

Here's my list:

1. A ton of well planned density in the beltline, Eau Claire and around Kensigton. Easy to say, and hard to do, but this will solve alot of problems in alot of city. Density is good, Calgarians need to get out of the mindset that a huge lot is a birthright. The Sunnyside TOD is a great start, and some of the projects going into the beltline look good ... need more of that. Density will spawn better restaurants, shopping etc.

2. More LRT spurs ... then connect them. I know the west leg is ready to go, but I'd love to see one go up center street, go out 17th ave SE then S at about blackfoot and I'd like to see the west leg have a large spur to the south, going down past fish creek and up north up to the NW leg.

3. Subsidize arts. Calgarians will like the arts ... I think it just needs to be shoved in their face.

4. increase taxes in the burbs, bring them down in the core. Any builder I have talked to says that Calgary is in for a infrasture gong show in the next couple decades. Density is way to low in the burbs and all the infrastrucre is going to cost a ton ... they can pay for it.

5. Bury the freaking LRT downtown. I met some city planner for Calgary in Chicago awhile ago and he said it would cost about a Billion dollars to do so ... not sure if that is true, and if so, I have no idea why, but it is still worth it. Alberta can pay for it.