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City looks at taming Red Mile
Last updated Nov 29 2005 10:55 AM MST
CBC News
City council is considering a cap on the number of bars allowed on the Red Mile, with some aldermen worried that it could turn into a new Electric Avenue.
Ald. Madeleine King says the number of complaints about noise, crowds and debris on 17th Avenue is increasing, and the city needs to look at implementing controls before there is a serious problem.
"I don't want to get rid of [bars] all together," she said. "I want to make sure that we can keep it as a lively place, balanced along with a reasonable quality of life."
In the 1990s, 11th Avenue SW was packed with bars and clubs and, under the name Electric Avenue, became famous as the place to party. But violent incidents began to plague the strip, which eventually returned to retail space.
In recent years, 17th Avenue has become the hub, attracting crowds during Stampede and during the 2004 Flames playoff run, where it was dubbed the Red Mile.
Ald. Ric McIver says the city has to be careful to not take the fun out of Calgary.
"We've got to stop killing party places when they come up," he said. "We have to manage them and that's what I'm hoping to find, management rather than killing party places.
"Because I think Calgarians want to play and we want other people from away from Calgary to come here as a destination to play."
Area residents are divided on the idea. Some, like Brenda Chisholm, says a limit would be good because the street is already too loud on weekends.
But others, such as Shelley Kuitunen, say the area's liveliness is part of its appeal.
"People want to go out and have a good time," Kuitunen said. "I don't think it's necessarily the number of bars in the area that is causing the violence or whatever. It's the fact that this is downtown and this is where things happen."
City administration has been asked to return to council in two weeks with an estimate on the cost of a report into limiting the number of bars and clubs.
Last updated Nov 29 2005 10:55 AM MST
CBC News
City council is considering a cap on the number of bars allowed on the Red Mile, with some aldermen worried that it could turn into a new Electric Avenue.
Ald. Madeleine King says the number of complaints about noise, crowds and debris on 17th Avenue is increasing, and the city needs to look at implementing controls before there is a serious problem.
"I don't want to get rid of [bars] all together," she said. "I want to make sure that we can keep it as a lively place, balanced along with a reasonable quality of life."
In the 1990s, 11th Avenue SW was packed with bars and clubs and, under the name Electric Avenue, became famous as the place to party. But violent incidents began to plague the strip, which eventually returned to retail space.
In recent years, 17th Avenue has become the hub, attracting crowds during Stampede and during the 2004 Flames playoff run, where it was dubbed the Red Mile.
Ald. Ric McIver says the city has to be careful to not take the fun out of Calgary.
"We've got to stop killing party places when they come up," he said. "We have to manage them and that's what I'm hoping to find, management rather than killing party places.
"Because I think Calgarians want to play and we want other people from away from Calgary to come here as a destination to play."
Area residents are divided on the idea. Some, like Brenda Chisholm, says a limit would be good because the street is already too loud on weekends.
But others, such as Shelley Kuitunen, say the area's liveliness is part of its appeal.
"People want to go out and have a good time," Kuitunen said. "I don't think it's necessarily the number of bars in the area that is causing the violence or whatever. It's the fact that this is downtown and this is where things happen."
City administration has been asked to return to council in two weeks with an estimate on the cost of a report into limiting the number of bars and clubs.
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