Quote:
Originally Posted by BlackArcher101
Maybe an expensive good looking pedestrian bridge would help alleviate this problem?
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You know what? I won't hurt. It will get people talking about architecture and the culture of their city (it already has). It will help draw people downtown, allow easier and better pedestrian and cycle movement.
I've never quite understood this notion that 'downtown is a ghostown'. Calgarians tend to equate "downtown" with only the Central Business District. Well, by this definition is "downtown" Toronto a ghost town, is Lower Manhattan a ghost town? No, of course not - no one's hanging out on Bay or Wall street on the evening or weekend, but the areas around it are where life always is!
Downtown isn't only the office area. Most cities define their downtowns more broadly than Calgarians. 17th ave is as every bit downtown Calgary as Queen or Bloor Streets in Toronto. 17th certainly has vital streetlife at all times of the day. In cities, it's the areas immediately surrounding the business districts that often have the most life and vitality. When the weather is decent, Eau Claire and Prince's Island Park is pretty bustling, Chinatown is rather busy on weekends, Kensington and the Beltline are busy most of the time, Inglewood is a good hood, and Stephen Ave has definitely come back from the dead. Stephen Ave is often quite busy on evenings and weekends now (when was the last time many or you were down there???). It is noticably busier than even a few years ago (thanks to things like Flames Central and the great restaurant scene there).
Sure, the areas around the CBD have some ways to grow and improve still and once areas like Eau Claire, East Village and Beltline live more fully up to their potential, I think Calgarians perceptions of "Downtown" will change. It won't matter that 6th ave is quiet at night - and nor should it matter - if you're waiting for the office core to be a hub of nightlife, you'll be waiting forever.
As for festivals and gathering - there is lots to do in Calgary - probably more than any single person could possibly do in a year. The festival scene has exploded in the past 5-10 years in Calgary. This will only get better as the city gets bigger.
As for bongo drum gatherings - ever been to Riley Park on a nice saturday???