They paved paradise and put up a Shopper's Drugmart

If you have the slightest awareness of things happening around you and you frequent the downtown core regularly, you may have heard about the demolition slated for the historic Mount Royal Block still solidly sitting at the corner of Seventh Street and 17th Avenue S.W.

The now-weathered building was built in 1911 and has no doubt seen countless tenants through many generations conduct their business between the walls of its brick façade. The result of its longstanding lifespan has bestowed on the building a humble prominence that now divides the eastern part of Uptown Avenue with the west.

But what happens in Calgary once a building has decidedly outstayed its welcome of old?

We tear it down of course. Demolish it. Gone. Poof.

And why not? It’s decrepit and nearing condemnation. There is apparently no point in attempting to give the building a modest facelift or some renovations that would bring the block up to par.

Never mind European cities, we aren’t even like our Canadian counterparts such as Montreal or Vancouver that attempt to preserve their historic districts. It seems as though there is a code in this city imposing that almost all buildings and housing must be new and shiny, and less than 10 years old.

Tonko Realty Advisors, owner of the building, is ejecting the tenants — some of whom have been there for 25-plus years — and plans to redevelop the block beginning sometime in February after the painful, albeit inevitable, demolition takes place.

Now, if you think the eradication of the building down to literally nothing besides dust, a few broken bricks and the memory of an era gone by is going to be bad, the real controversy rests with the proposed redevelopment plans for the block.

Tonko’s original design for the redevelopment called for a modern-looking, four-storey building with large glass windows to replace that passé brick which was so last century—yuck! After all, glass is so the new brick. However, some local residents spoke up and took a stance against this design because of the obvious clash with the feel of the rest of the avenue.

Now Tonko, careful not to piss off too many of the same people who the company is hoping will bring cash flow into the new building, has gone back to the drawing board to sketch a more eclectic design.

Meanwhile, rumours that Shoppers Drug Mart would be closing its older shop on Eigth Street an migrating to the new building proved true. And this, my friends, is the real heart of the matter.

Are we really burning with need for a drugstore on 17th?

Just take a look at the change in atmosphere on Fourth Street S.W. since Shopper’s built its fortress there. What once held up a solid reputation to its name, the People Street, is now witnessing a significant decrease in pedestrian traffic.

The harsh reality of the impending situation is that 17th Avenue remains one of the only escapes in the city from the burgeoning disease of urban sprawl that has taken Calgary by the horns.

There isn’t a problem with residential development off the avenue. In fact, it’s refreshing to see that the city is learning it must build up as well as out. However, the problem lies with the commercial development of a large building that doesn’t even remotely fit with the existing area’s character.

The replacement of historic buildings with large-chain retailers and other stale outlets does not add anything to the vibrancy and unique quality of the area. Unfortunately, companies like these are the only ones who can actually afford the lease costs typically associated with the new development.

The other concern I have with this proposal is the way the building will affect the streetscape. Presently, the storefronts are variegated and diverse and each is set back at different distances from the street. The new building will consist of a uniform external appearance and no variegation since there are only one or two retailers at grade. In a nutshell, that means that you get a big, bland boring wall.

What makes that block interesting right now is its variety. Looking in the windows of the art galleries, sitting on the patio of Manie’s, feasting on some gelato at Fiasco, or sipping on a perfectly concocted martini at the Mercury are some of the favourite pastimes of people strolling the avenue.

A big box retailer on 17th defeats the sole purpose of the avenue’s life and rich history. Facades can be saved and building heights can be regulated, and as Inglewood has shown, big-box development can be stopped.

Calgary has few pedestrian-friendly areas, so yes, some moderate design and architectural restrictions as well as control on leasing to specific retail tenants are justifiable on 17th. To combine large concentrations of people with enjoyable, pedestrian-oriented streets is a challenge, but not an insurmountable one.

This article originally appeared in the Calgary Journal

Inner-city renaissance

Local business districts are striving to reinvent themselves as coveted places to live, work and play and Calgary is no exception.

The Lilac Festival, Marda Gras and Stephen Avenue Walk have been firmly established events in the areas respective to Fourth Street, Marda Loop and downtown, that may conjure up warm and festive images to many Calgarians.

Yet behind these popular areas and events is the hard work of local businesses that are integral to the economic and social fabric of the city.

“Calgary’s Business Revitalization Zones (BRZs) are naturally becoming incubation centres for small, locally- owned and managed businesses, and the creative industries that make these communities and the city unique,” said Richard Pootmans, business development manager of Calgary Economic Development.

As a testament to the vital and strategic role of BRZs in Calgary, the Calgary Downtown Association has been instrumental in securing the hosting of the 2008 International Downtown Association Conference.

The international forum will put Calgary’s BRZs on centre stage and showcase to the world their efforts and strides in urban revitalization.

The Alberta government introduced legislation in 1983, allowing municipalities across the province to establish BRZs to promote and enhance their specific areas.

A year later, Calgary’s first BRZ in the area of Uptown 17th was created.

Since that time, another eight have formed—Marda Loop, Kensington-Louise Crossing, Inglewood, Calgary Downtown Association, Fourth Street, International Avenue, Bowness and Victoria Crossing—representing 5,400 businesses and 20 per cent of all of Calgary’s commercial activity, totalling over $660-million in assessment value.

Each has a significant impact on Calgary’s urban culture through their collective investment in enhancing, beautifying and promoting the physical identity and economic viability of the city’s commercial districts.

“As economic development agencies look to foster a diversified economy, cities will increasingly depend on a varied and stimulating urban environment to attract and retain business,” Pootmans said.

According to Pootmans, it’s up to the business owners to initiate the BRZ —they pay the cost, while property owners and the city share in the benefits—and elect a board of directors to determine how to spend the money. The ultimate goal is to generate more business and, in turn, increase revenue.

He added that creating an urban environment that doesn’t empty out at the end of the business day helps reinforce the diversity, creativity and desirability of Calgary as a major North American centre.

Pootmans says the drive to stay competitive today includes a focus on clean and safe environments as well as programs for lighting, signs, storefronts, landscaping, homelessness, parking, urban planning, business retention and recruitment, and cultural offerings.

He added that local business associations revitalize communities, give them character and provide a sense of community.

“BRZs are helping to create a more vibrant city and to attract new talent in the global economy,” Pootmans said.

“Realizing that potential, BRZs and commercial districts are growing and thriving in an environment that helps define the business and social climate of Calgary.”

They also support small business, “which employs thousands of workers and helps create significant economic spinoffs to the city as a whole, providing $59-million in business taxes annually to the city,” Pootmans said.

“Calgary’s BRZs now exercise a vital leadership role in their communities, articulating strategic alternatives and forging conditions for change,” said Eileen Stan, executive director of Victoria Crossing BRZ.

She said business workers and tourists increasingly have a wide range of choice and will go where barriers are minimal and amenities are best. She added that Victoria Crossing, like many of its city counterparts, “brings new energy, new resources and new leadership to Calgary’s urban domain and public life.”

Jennifer Rempel, manager of the Fourth Street BRZ, said not only is the BRZ an excellent vehicle to promote the identity of the business district through advertising and special events, but the BRZ is also a united voice to communicate their point of view directly to city council.

“The Fourth Street BRZ is unique because we are an event-based entity,” Rempel said, pointing to the Lilac Fesitval, which attracts up to 100,000 people into the area in May of each year.

According to Rempel, her organization has a keen interest in developing close relationships with the more than 250 businesses in the area, being involved in planning and policy decisions and the future planning of the neighbourhood.

“Drawing appreciation by both local residents as well as visitors, and establishing the area as a people place is the main role of our BRZ,” Rempel said.

Rempel noted that one of the proud achievements of her BRZ is the establishment of Calgary’s largest outdoor art in the area with help from the Public Art Society.

“Together we have created an artistic ambience on Fourth Street with a unique sculpture theme that both entertains and educates."

“This not only beautifies the area but also helps in furthering the pedestrian-friendly feel of it,” Rempel said.

This article originally appeared in the Calgary Journal

Stealing at the touch of a button

Ryan Postic is very cautious these days about entering in his password and details when he logs into his computer to check his e-mail, a minor detail many people wouldn’t think twice about. That is because Postic has become a statistic in the growing trend of identity theft.

This past summer, Postic had his identity stolen and used on eBay, a popular online auction community. A fraudster found a way to commandeer his eBay profile that had sat idle for over two months. The thief sold fraudulent items both in Canada and in the United States, using Postic’s name and information.

“This person somehow took hold of my identity,” Postic said. “They were using my credible name to rip off unsuspecting people. They even sold an imaginary motorbike.”

Postic didn’t become aware of these incidents until months after the initial frauds took place. A woman in New Jersey called him asking when a motorcycle for her husband would be delivered.
“I couldn’t believe what was happening to me. The hassle I had to go through to resolve all these issues took months,” said Postic. “I don’t have faith in purchasing online anymore, and I don’t take my identity for granted.”

Identity theft is the criminal act of assuming another person’s name, address, social insurance number and/or date of birth in order to commit crime, typically fraud. Since these fraudsters are extremely hard to catch, the victim is most often left with debt, a marked credit record, and a painful and tedious amount of time trying to regain control of his identity. Furthermore, the advent of the Internet places the ball nicely into the court of these thieves.

Consumers today are more willing and eager than ever to go online to shop, bank and pay bills.
Research conducted by ComScore, an organization that analyzes consumer behaviour, found that spending by Canadians at more than 200 of the largest e-commerce sites in Canada and other countries increased by 20 per cent during the fourth quarter of 2003 compared to the previous year.

However, the same study found that the growth in e-commerce was primarily the result of an increase in online-travel spending. One reason for this growth is the increase of direct payment from the consumer to the vendor as opposed to a third party such as PayPal, an online payment service that has received negative press recently due to problems including identity theft.

Detective Brad Martin of the Calgary Police Service’s Technological Crimes Unit suggests that consumers are using more discretion with online purchasing and matters of personal
identity.

However, he warns that even with updated security features such as those added to Alberta driver licenses or higher encryption on websites, people need to take control of their vulnerability when dealing with their identity.

“These fraudsters always find a way to beat the current system,” he said. “No matter how safe or secure you believe your identity or your valuables are, criminals will discover a weakness in the system. So really, anyone is at risk.”

Martin said his department finds identity thefts occur using both traditional and non-traditional methods. “Thieves scavenge through garbage, steal mail, break into homes, and search and hack on the Internet to find information on people,” Martin said. He added that by putting simple safeguards into place, this type of theft can easily be prevented.

“The onus lies upon people to take the time to follow simple steps to prevent identity theft from happening to them,” Martin said.

In general, people do not believe that identity theft can or will happen to them; a
preconceived notion that Martin says is ignorant and could haunt them.
According to PhoneBusters, an anti-fraud agency sponsored by the Government of Canada and the RCMP, there were 1,079 known incidents of identity theft in Alberta in 2003 alone. These crimes paid out a total of $1,282,716 to the culprits behind the frauds.


“The typical identity theft crime committed involves stealing money and obtaining credit cards,” Martin said. “But there is a lot more damage that can be done. Tax fraud, committing more traditional crimes under the victim’s name, setting up spoof websites and receiving medical services are other reasons why identity theft is a serious concern.”

Identity Theft Prevention Tips

- Keep your Social Insurance Number (SIN) secret, and out of your purse or wallet. If someone asks for it, ask why.
- Immediately remove mail delivered to your mailbox — cancel mail when away.
- Buy a shredder to destroy pre-approved credit applications, credit-card receipts, bills and any sensitive financial information.
- Never give personal information over the phone or Internet such as SIN, date of birth, mother’s maiden name, credit card number, or banking PIN number.
- Never leave receipts at bank machines, bank counters, trash receptacles, or unattended gas pumps.
- Monitor your credit report.
- Save all credit card receipts and match them up against your monthly statements. Closely examine your monthly statements before paying them.
- Do not carry extra cheques or credit cards unless absolutely necessary.

This article originally appeared in the Calgary Journal