Chestermere is a city on the rise. As we continue to grow, it is crucial that we focus not only on expanding residential and commercial areas but also on revitalizing and strengthening our downtown core. A thriving downtown serves as the heartbeat of a community—it’s where residents gather, businesses flourish, and visitors experience the essence of a city. As mayor of Chestermere, I was deeply committed to transforming our downtown into a vibrant, pedestrian-friendly, and community-centered space that reflects the city’s unique character while supporting growth and development.
Chestermere’s downtown has immense potential, with its central location, proximity to the lake, and rich history. However, like many suburban communities, Chestermere’s downtown had room for improvement. During my time in office, I worked with city planners, local business owners, and residents to craft a vision for a revitalized downtown that would become a destination for locals and visitors alike.
In this blog post, I will outline the key elements of the downtown revitalization plan, including enhancing public spaces, supporting local businesses, improving infrastructure, and creating a vibrant cultural hub for Chestermere. These efforts were designed to strengthen Chestermere’s downtown as a thriving, sustainable heart of the city.
Creating Pedestrian-Friendly Streets and Public Spaces
A walkable downtown is essential to creating a vibrant community center. The goal was to design a downtown that encouraged foot traffic, created a pleasant environment for residents to spend time outdoors, and offered spaces for people to gather and socialize.
We focused on enhancing Chestermere’s streetscapes by widening sidewalks, installing more pedestrian crossings, and adding outdoor seating and green spaces. We also worked to create pedestrian-friendly zones where cars and pedestrians could coexist safely. By incorporating elements such as bike lanes, benches, trees, and public art installations, we transformed Chestermere’s downtown into a space that invited people to spend time walking, shopping, and enjoying the community atmosphere.
Public spaces such as parks, plazas, and green spaces are critical to creating a sense of place in a downtown area. We worked to expand and improve public parks in the downtown area, ensuring they were well-maintained and easily accessible. These parks provided not only a place for relaxation but also spaces for community events, festivals, and public performances. We hosted outdoor concerts, farmer’s markets, and festivals in these areas, turning them into vibrant gathering spots that brought the community together.
Supporting Local Businesses and Entrepreneurs
A successful downtown is one where local businesses thrive. During my tenure, I worked to create an environment where entrepreneurs and small business owners could flourish. A key aspect of the downtown revitalization plan was to support the businesses that were already established and attract new ones to the area.
We worked closely with the Chestermere Chamber of Commerce and local business owners to understand their needs and help them succeed. One of the initiatives I championed was the creation of a business improvement district (BID). This district provided funding and resources for local businesses to enhance their storefronts, improve signage, and engage in marketing campaigns that would draw customers to downtown Chestermere.
In addition to the BID, we focused on attracting new businesses to the downtown area, particularly those that would add diversity to the local economy. We worked to create incentives for businesses in the retail, restaurant, and entertainment sectors to set up shop in Chestermere’s downtown. By providing grants, low-interest loans, and tax incentives, we helped make downtown Chestermere an attractive destination for entrepreneurs.
We also created programs aimed at fostering entrepreneurship and helping new business owners get started. We offered mentorship programs, business development workshops, and access to resources that helped entrepreneurs navigate the challenges of starting a business. By supporting the growth of local businesses, we ensured that downtown Chestermere remained a hub of economic activity, providing job opportunities and strengthening the local economy.
Enhancing Infrastructure and Public Transit Connectivity
A vibrant downtown requires robust infrastructure, and during my time as mayor, we made significant investments in improving Chestermere’s downtown infrastructure. We upgraded roadways, improved traffic flow, and ensured that downtown was easily accessible by car, bike, and public transit.
We worked to improve the city’s public transportation network to ensure that residents and visitors could easily access downtown. This included adding more frequent bus routes, expanding service hours, and improving transit stops. We also looked into the feasibility of a shuttle service that would connect downtown Chestermere to other parts of the city, as well as neighboring communities.
Beyond public transportation, we worked to enhance the overall infrastructure of the downtown area. We upgraded water, sewer, and utility systems to accommodate the growing population and ensure the downtown area could support future development. We also worked with developers to create parking solutions, ensuring that there were enough parking spaces to accommodate visitors without compromising the pedestrian-friendly atmosphere of the downtown area.
Creating a Cultural Hub and Event Space
A key aspect of revitalizing Chestermere’s downtown was the creation of a cultural hub where the community could come together to celebrate art, music, and local talent. We worked to establish spaces for local artists, performers, and musicians to showcase their work and engage with the community.
We partnered with local arts organizations to create art installations, galleries, and performance spaces throughout downtown. We also supported the creation of festivals, concerts, and outdoor events that brought life to the downtown area. These events helped create a sense of community pride and turned downtown Chestermere into a place where residents could connect, socialize, and enjoy cultural activities.
Additionally, we focused on creating family-friendly spaces that catered to people of all ages. We built playgrounds, interactive art exhibits, and spaces for children to play and learn. By creating spaces that appealed to families, we ensured that downtown Chestermere was a place where residents could spend time together, enjoy outdoor activities, and experience the arts and culture of their community.
Building Sustainable and Green Infrastructure
Sustainability was a core principle of the downtown revitalization plan. We worked to integrate green infrastructure into the design of downtown Chestermere by incorporating environmentally friendly elements such as rain gardens, green roofs, and energy-efficient lighting. These features helped reduce the environmental footprint of downtown while also creating a more aesthetically pleasing and comfortable environment for residents and visitors.
We also focused on making downtown Chestermere a leader in sustainable development. By encouraging businesses to adopt energy-efficient practices and use sustainable materials in their construction and operations, we set the stage for a more eco-friendly downtown. We worked with developers to ensure that new buildings adhered to green building standards, including LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification, and that they incorporated energy-efficient technologies like solar panels and electric vehicle charging stations.
Conclusion: A Thriving Downtown for a Growing Chestermere
Revitalizing Chestermere’s downtown was one of the most exciting and rewarding projects of my time as mayor. Through investments in infrastructure, support for local businesses, the creation of pedestrian-friendly spaces, and the development of cultural and event hubs, we were able to transform downtown Chestermere into a vibrant, thriving center of activity that reflects the city’s growth and diversity.
As Chestermere continues to expand, we must continue to prioritize the development of a downtown that is both sustainable and accessible, a place where businesses can thrive, residents can connect, and visitors can experience all that Chestermere has to offer. By working together as a community, we can ensure that Chestermere’s downtown remains the heart of the city—a place where people of all ages and backgrounds come together to enjoy the many opportunities that our city provides.