FFWD Weekly
Copyright © 2000. All Rights Reserved
Cover
by Maureen McNameeVictoria Park has an atmosphere of excitement these days with the steady arrival of new businesses and residents bringing back life to a once shabby and economically depressed community. Revitaliza-tion has long been a dream for this inner-city neighbourhood, which has been on the verge of discovery for years, and now it’s taking off.
"It has been just an amazing month – a lot of positive interest," says Eileen Stan, manager of the Victoria Crossing Business Revitalization Zone (BRZ).
The biggest boost was the announcement that Smed bought the Pilkington Building on 11th Avenue S.E. in the Warehouse District, and is renovating and restoring it for Critical Mass, a Web site design company which will bring more than 200 employees when it relocates to the new offices in December.
"That’s a huge cornerstone development for the east side of Victoria Park," says Stan.
Booming business
Darrell Moir, the chief operating officer of Critical Mass, says the building was the perfect fit for the company, with open space, high ceilings, natural light and a lot of character, and Smed is designing it to suit the high-tech company’s specific needs while preserving the historic integrity as much as possible.
"The building itself is extremely unique and it’s very much Critical Mass. That’s the kind of space we like – the brick and beams and metal trusses – the whole thing really speaks to the kind of culture and environment that is conducive to our kind of culture and creative work."
That’s not to say that it was an easy decision to relocate to the area, which has suffered from a bad rap due to problems with prostitution, drug use and crime. Moir says the company will have 24-hour security as well as gated and controlled access, and, if necessary, will provide transportation for employees who work late. However, he also believes that a lot of those issues will soon become obsolete as development in the area continues.
"We honestly believe that that whole area is going to flip around," Moir says, adding that people are starting to give it a chance. "Yes we have some apprehensions, but we believe that when those things get solved... it will be the high-tech, creative area of the city....
"Hopefully, we’re the ones that kind of put the wedge in the door."
Critical Mass is not the only company betting on a bright future in Victoria Park. Stan says several new businesses have already moved to the area – Desperados Steakhouse and Sport Saloon opened last week down the road from the Stampede grounds, a large English-style pub is planned at the corner of Macleod Trail and 11th Avenue, three new restaurants have opened, Indian Motorcycle is taking over an old garage on 1st Street S.W., O’Connor’s Mens Wear is moving into the former Volvo dealership, two software companies are opening offices in the Warehouse District, and the Louise Block has attracted some trendy retail tenants – Kit Interior Objects, fashion designer Shae Berry and Stride Gallery occupy side-by-side spaces facing Macleod Trail.
Community character
The flurry of activity is a credit to the Victoria Crossing BRZ, which formed in 1996-97 and has put a lot of effort into improving the area and attracting new businesses and customers.
"I think the BRZ grew out of the 2005 Expo bid that was unsuccessful," says Stan, adding that the existing businesses wanted to ensure the revitalization aspect of the bid wasn’t lost. The group’s main challenge was to overcome the focus on the area’s negative aspects and show people the positive side that existing residents and businesses already knew – it has loads of charm and potential.
"The problems in this area are not unique to any other community in the inner-city," says Stan. "It’s got too rich a history to be saddled with that, and the residential and business potential is so high."
The BRZ covers a large and diverse section of the city – from 2nd Street S.W. to 6th Street S.E. (excluding the Stampede Park), and from the 9th Avenue South railroad tracks on the north side to 17th Avenue South (and farther in one section) on the south side. Stan says it’s unique because it encompasses businesses ranging from the already established strip of nightclubs and eateries on 1st Street S.W. to the unique Warehouse District, where development only started to occur recently.
"What I enjoy about the area is that it’s got a real eclectic feel to it," she adds.
The effort to attract new business and customers goes hand in hand with making the area more desirable for visitors and residents.
The BRZ actively promotes the history of the area and its buildings through summer walking tours. The free, guided tours – one for the east side and one for the west – highlight the area’s vital role in Calgary’s early history, pointing out significant buildings such as the Rundle Ruins and St. Mary’s Cathedral, and talking about the influential residents who helped shape the city, like Guy Weadick. (Phone the information line at 262-4284 for tour details.)
"It’s one of Calgary’s oldest communities that has some really significant buildings," Stan says. "There’s a lot of rich history here."
Other initiatives include beautification projects. A community wildflower garden is under way, and work is set to begin on street improvements for 1st Street S.W. between 12th and 14th Avenues, consisting of upgrades to the sidewalks, lighting and landscaping. Stan says there is interest in extending the project all the way to 17th Avenue.
"It will be really charming. It will provide a nice link between downtown and the south side of 1st Street."
For those businesses that have put time and money into the BRZ, it’s paying off. The owner of Ribtor, a surplus store that moved to 11th Avenue in 1971, says the face of the community is already changing for the better.
"For a long time we were sitting in between derelict buildings," says Joel Lipkind, who is looking forward to the arrival of Critical Mass next door.
"There’s more general traffic and population. I think it’s really positive. I think the area is already looking less worn out."
He adds that Victoria Park was in a state of decline and he was losing customers due to residents moving away, but now he expects to gain new customers as more employees and condo and loft residents move in.
Newcomers and oldtimers
One of those condo dwellers is Jason McVean. He moved into the area to be close to his office, which is just outside the BRZ boundary, and because it seemed like a good investment.
"Being able to walk to work is an obvious benefit – it’s nice to be able to do that and it saves you a lot of money if you don’t have to drive and park," he says, adding that he’s also within walking distance of restaurants and shopping districts.
The location does have its drawbacks – there is a lot of prostitution in the vicinity of his building, and his sleep has been interrupted by loud arguments between pimps and prostitutes. However, he is confident that if he stays for a few years, property values will go up and he’ll make a reasonable profit when the time comes to move.
"In the interim, I’m quite happy to live here."
According to Stan, there are more residents moving into the area all the time, with at least three major condominium projects under way as well as loft developments. Although the BRZ represents businesses, she says it also listens to the residents and works closely with organizations such as the Victoria Park Community Association.
"We take into account residential concerns because residents are needed for business. We try to make it a happy marriage."
While newer residents make up one portion of the population, there are also the long-term homeowners, landlords and renters just north of the Stampede grounds, and their situation is very different. Although the community members and the Stampede finally reached an agreement on expansion plans about two years ago, nothing has happened.
Ald. Jon Lord, who was instrumental in bringing the agreement about, says the expansion area has been set for two blocks to the north of the grounds, extending to 12th Avenue S.W. Now the Stampede has to come up with a plan for the details, which is a complex process, and acquire the property, which is turning out to be even more complicated.
Unfortunately, Lord explains, homeowners with visions of big bucks are asking unreasonable prices for the land.
"They’re speculating that the value of the land will increase, so they’re not willing to sell almost at any price. That is certainly one of the drawbacks at the moment."
As a result, he expects the process will be slower than what was originally hoped, but that the situation will eventually be resolved.
"In the long term, I believe that virtually most of Vic Park will be revitalized and redeveloped – it won’t happen overnight," Lord says.
Hidden jewel discovered
Despite the setback, Lord is heartened by the fact that that people are finally realizing the benefits of living and working in Victoria Park – and surprised that it took so long. He also finds it somewhat amusing that companies have been searching for office space downtown while warehouse space has been sitting empty right next door.
"It’s really great to see after how many years that no one would invest a dime in Victoria Park," Lord says. "I think people are recognizing that Victoria Park is quite a hidden jewel there."
Now that companies like Critical Mass are moving in, he believes the wedge in the door is growing wider.
"I think that will be a major help to revitalizing the whole of Victoria Park – bringing back life to the community, and more importantly, bringing investment," he says.
"That’s the best opportunity in the city as far as I’m concerned."
After years of being considered a down-and-out, undesirable area, Victoria Park is shedding its bad reputation. From historic buildings and new condos to trendy nightclubs and promising warehouses, it’s a part of the inner-city that is finally fulfilling its potential – and realizing a dream.
"It’s just a great mix of things, and because of that mix, I think you’ll really see the area take off and have some great long-term potential," says Stan.
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