City of Calgary makes funding commitment to Bridgeland Place affordable housing redevelopment

FILE: Bridgeland is connected to Downtown Calgary by four bridges. (Photo By Calgary/Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 3.0)

As part of the 2023-2026 Service Plans & Budget deliberations, Calgary City Council has approved $53.5M towards the estimated $109M-cost to redevelop the City-owned Bridgeland Place to provide new and renovated sustainable residences for Calgarians in need of affordable housing. The improved and redeveloped Bridgeland Place affordable housing site at 736 McDougall Court N.E. is expected to have more than 222 homes when fully complete.

With this approval, the project will achieve forty nine percent of the funding required. Our next step is to work with other funding sources and orders of government to secure the remaining $55.5M.

“We are very excited to see this funding approved,” says Bo Jiang, Acting Director of Calgary Housing and Acting President of Calgary Housing Company. “This is an affirmation of The City’s commitment to affordable housing, and we look forward to working with the province and federal government to confirm their support.”

This project will target precedent-setting energy strategies that increase energy efficiency, reduce emissions and utility costs, improve indoor air quality, and contribute to long-term affordability. This first phase of the larger masterplan for the site is the renovation of the existing tower and will be designed to better serve families. The Bridgeland community will be engaged throughout the design process.

“With one in five Calgary households struggling to pay for housing costs, this redevelopment will help ensure that low and moderate income Calgarians have a safe, stable place to call home”, said Jiang. “We are proud to be able to continue providing high quality, energy efficient affordable housing to Calgarians in the beautiful Bridgeland community for generations to come.”

In March 2021, City Council decided to close Bridgeland Place on the recommendation of City Administration and Calgary Housing Company (CHC), which manages the affordable housing complex. Continued operation of the building was not viable due to significant operating challenges including heating issues and interruptions in the water supply. While the building is safe and habitable, it requires renovations that would be difficult to do without significant impact to residents. The property, constructed in 1971, has been in operation for more than 50 years.

Following the announcement in March 2021, a gradual 22-month resident relocation program began. CHC began a support process to assist residents of the 210-unit Bridgeland Place. Throughout this process, CHC has provided ongoing support to residents including help to locate new accommodations, financial assistance for moving, referrals to other agencies and regular communication around the closure.

In preparation for redevelopment, the Bridgeland community was asked for their input on design elements and features, and the type of housing that will be redeveloped on the site. From April 4 to 18, 2022 The City engaged with community members through an online survey.

When the building is vacant, it will be secured with fencing, windows and doors on lower floors will be secured, security will be upgraded, and there will be regular grounds maintenance, such as snow clearing. Preparation for the renovation is scheduled to begin in mid 2023.

Please visit our web page for the latest news and updates on the redevelopment of Bridgeland Place.