Unity Park - Calgary

International Avenue is a vibrant business district with a diverse ethnic composition located on 17th Avenue S.E., from 26 to 61st streets, in Calgary. There is an interesting mix of business representative of the cosmopolitan neighbourhoods surrounding the Avenue.  Now known as Calgary's Culinary and Cultural Capital.

It is an area of one-stop shopping with access to a selection of restaurants and grocery stores from around the world, as well as a wide range of other retail goods and services.

Over 425 businesses operate within the zone.  Convenient free parking is available throughout.

The Mission of the organization is “to promote, improve and create a more pleasant community in which to shop and live”.

The BRZ is achieving these goals by:

• A maintenance program designed to clean the shopping district
• Promotional/image initiatives
• Special community events
• The completion of an urban design plan and vision – approved at City Council, 2010, International Avenue Area Redevelopment Plan- 2018
• Plans for a sustainable community
• A crime prevention safety plan – adopted
• A pedestrian friendly approved comprehensive transportation policy – approved for funding 2014 and construction of the plan began in 2016.  The majority of which was completed in 2018.  Unity Park and minor sections to be completed in 2019.
• An implementation strategy
• A comprehensive community economic development plan
• A variety of community partnerships
• A development strategy - Land use changes have been undertaken to simplify the development of the Avenue going forward (as of Dec, 2018).
• An incubation strategy and research for new business concepts

• A co-work hub with gallery space (see EMERGE).
• Responsible for murals and upkeep throughout the zone
• Worked to reduce impacts of poverty from preditory lending(Bill 51)
• Responsible for site amentity upkeep, flowers and banners