pdf wayfinding project cover report

8/3/2019 PDF Wayfinding Project Cover Report

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Planning, Development & Assessment Department Report toThe SPC on Planning and Urban Development2012 January 18

CENTRE CITY WAYFINDING PROJECT IMPLEMENTATION STRATEGY

Approval(s): GM (David Watson) concurs with this report. Author (Ben Barrington)

ISC: UNRESTRICTEDPUD2012-03

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EXECUTIVE SUMMARYAdministration is seeking withdrawals from two special funds for the Downtown and Beltline toimplement Phase 1 of the Centre City Wayfinding Project. Administration is recommending thatcapital funding for the pedestrian wayfinding elements be provided to meet the objective ofimplementing this phase in summer 2012 to support the increased numbers of visitorsanticipated to visit Calgary for Stampede Centenary and 2012 Cultural Capital events.

ADMINISTRATION RECOMMENDATION(S)That the SPC on Planning and Urban Development recommends that Council:

1) Endorse the recommendation of the Beltline Community Investment Fund (BCIF)committee to commit $350,000 from the BCIF capital deposit to contribute to the capitalcosts of the Centre City Wayfinding Project in 2012;

2) Approve capital budget and appropriation of $350,000 in 2012 for Program 616 CentreCity Initiatives, funded from the BCIF capital deposit;

3) Approve a $250,000 budget and appropriation advance from the DowntownImprovement Capital Program 152 in 2012, $125,000 in 2013, and $125,000 in 2014;and

4) Authorize Administration to exceed the annual $300,000 funding limit from theDowntown Improvement reserve fund by $250,000 for the advanced funds in 2012;

That the SPC on Planning and Urban Development:1) Forward this report to the 2012 January 23 meeting of Council in order to support the

project timelines.

PREVIOUS COUNCIL DIRECTION / POLICYOn 2011 June 20, Council approved report LPT2011-40 Terms of Reference BeltlineCommunity Investment Fund (BCIF). As outlined in these terms project funding requests thatexceed $75,000 must be approved by Council.

On 2006 May 15, Council approved the Beltline Area Redevelopment Plan (ARP), which allowsfor the earning of bonus density through cash contributions to the Beltline CommunityInvestment Fund (BCIF). The Fund was created in conjunction with the density bonusingpolicies outlined in the ARP and implemented through the Land Use Bylaw 1P2007.

The Downtown Improvement Reserve Fund was created in 1986 to assist in the implementationof public realm improvements in the Downtown. As per LPT2008-74, an ongoing annual

expenditure up to a maximum of $300,000 can be spent on small scale improvements in thedowntown area. The Land Use Planning & Policy 2012-2014 capital budget Program 152 Downtown Improvement has $900,000 ($300,000 annually) funding from the DowntownImprovement reserve.

BACKGROUNDThe Centre City Wayfinding Project was first identified in the 2007 Centre City Plan. The Planrecommended a comprehensive wayfinding program to better support how people get to andtravel around Centre City, and to promote tourism and economic development by increasingaccess to and awareness of Centre City attractions.


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The Wayfinding Project has been developed through guidance provided by City plans andpolicies, professional wayfinding consultants, and input provided by 50 internal and externalstakeholders.

Implementation of the Project has been split into two phases that align with the corporate goal ofputting pedestrians first. Phase 1 will provide pedestrian and transit oriented wayfinding. Phase2 will provide vehicular wayfinding.

The objective of Administration and Stakeholders is to implement Phase 1 in summer 2012 inorder to support the increased number of people anticipated to visit Calgary for the StampedeCentenary and 2012 Cultural Capital events. Phase 2 would be implemented in future yearsonce additional funding has been secured.

INVESTIGATION: ALTERNATIVES AND ANALYSISThe capital cost to implement Phase 1 pedestrian wayfinding has been estimated at $700,000.Administration recommends that the $700,000 in capital funding be contributed equally throughtwo funds: (1) Downtown Improvement reserve fund; and (2) Beltline Community InvestmentFund (BCIF). The Downtown Improvement reserve fund receives monies from license feescharged to commercial users of public rights-of-way. The BCIF receives monies through abonus density program.

Downtown Improvement Reserve Fund ContributionThe Land Use Planning & Policy 2012-2014 capital budget Program 152 DowntownImprovement has $900,000 ($300,000 annually) funding from the Downtown Improvement

reserve. $100,000 of the $300,000 allocated for 2012 in Program 152 has been committed tothe Wayfinding Project. The remaining $200,000 has previously been committed to otherdowntown initiatives.

In order to implement Phase 1 in 2012 it is requested that the Wayfinding Project receive a$250,000 budget and appropriation advance from the Downtown Improvement capital Program152 ($125,000 in 2013 and $125,000 in 2014) to support pedestrian wayfinding requirements inthe downtown area. This request exceeds the $300,000 annual funding limit mandated by thereserve fund and requires approval of Council to proceed.

Beltline Community Investment Fund ContributionAdministration submitted an application to the BCIF committee on 2011 November 8 requesting

the Committees approval to provide $350,000 of BCIF funds in 2012 to support pedestrianwayfinding requirements in the Beltline (Attachment 1). The BCIF Committee voted to approvethis funding request and forward the funding request to Council for endorsement.

Council is requested to approve the capital budget and appropriation of $350,000 in 2012 forProgram 616 Centre City Initiatives, funded from the BCIF capital deposit.


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Stakeholder Engagement, Research and CommunicationFifty stakeholder organizations were engaged during the planning and development of theCentre City Wayfinding Project. As part of the engagement process, Administration engagedthe BCIF Committee through the funding application process (Attachment).

Strategic AlignmentThe Centre City Wayfinding Project is aligned with The Citys various policies and plans tosupport the needs of pedestrians, including, but not limited to the Municipal Development Planand the Calgary Transportation Plan. The Beltline ARP identifies the need to providewayfinding elements in the public realm; wayfinding is also identified in multiple action itemsthroughout the Centre City Plan.

The project is also aligned with the objectives of the Downtown Improvement Reserve Fund andthe BCIF. The Downtown Improvement Reserve Fund was created to assist in theimplementation of public realm improvements in the downtown area by helping fund small scaleimprovements. The BCIF is to be used for public realm improvements projects on public landsor within public rights-of-way within the Beltline community.

The project is also aligned with the recommendation of CPS2010-059, to Build emergencylocator information into a wayfinding signage program currently being developed for CalgarysCentre City.

Social, Environmental, Economic (External)Social

Funding the Wayfinding Project will help promote the unique character of Centre City. Signagehelps visitors feel more comfortable in unfamiliar surroundings, enhancing their confidence toexplore Centre City communities and attractions.

EnvironmentalFunding the project will help encourage and support sustainable modes of transportation, suchas walking, bicycling and public transportation.

Economic (External)The funding provided for this program can provide a return on investment by stimulating andpromoting economic and tourism growth. Wayfinding helps instil confidence in visitors, allowingthem to explore larger areas for longer periods of time, spending more discretionary dollars and

contributing to economic development of local business.

Financial CapacityCurrent and Future Operating Budget:

Regular maintenance to address cleanliness and vandalism will be provided by Administrationthrough day-to-day operational activities. Administration will ensure mapped destinationsremain up to date. Alternate funding sources to support the long-term maintenance of thewayfinding content are currently being explored.


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Current and Future Capital Budget:The capital cost to implement Phase 1 pedestrian wayfinding has been estimated at $700,000.This report recommends that the funds be provided from both the Downtown ImprovementReserve Fund to be budgeted in capital Program 152 Downtown Improvement for $350,000and Beltline Community Investment Fund for $350,000 to be budgeted in Program 616 CentreCity Initiatives in 2012.

The Wayfinding Project is not specifically identified in the Capital Budget; however, it isconsistent with larger initiatives identified in City plans and policies supporting pedestrian, transitand vehicular mobility.

Additional work is required to design and calculate the cost estimates for Phase 2 of the

Wayfinding Project. The City is exploring funding opportunities to support this phase, includingpartnerships and provincial grants.

Risk AssessmentThere are no significant risks associated with this issue and operational and/or project riskshave been identified and are being managed.

Potential risks include Capital Budget not allocated to implement Phase 1 of the WayfindingProject by summer 2012, which is desired to support the increased number of visitors expectedto visit Calgary for Stampede Centenary and 2012 Cultural Capital events. Risk is beingmanaged through the recommendations of this report to provide the capital funds required tosupport pedestrian wayfinding through both the Downtown Improvement Reserve Fund and the

BCIF.

REASON(S) FOR RECOMMENDATION(S):Capital funding through the Downtown Improvement Reserve Fund and the BCIF is required tosupport Phase 1 pedestrian wayfinding. Timely approval of this recommendation will ensurethat Phase 1 can be completed in summer 2012.

ATTACHMENT(S)Beltline Community Investment Fund Minutes of November 2011 Meeting

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