The Eau Claire Plaza is being redesigned as part of the refresh of the Eau Claire area to allow for more flexible year around uses and improved accessibility for all residents and visitors. Its new design embraces everyday community gatherings in addition to spaces for hosting larger events and festivals.  Once fully completed, the plaza will become an iconic gateway to the area and a vibrant destination that compliments the newly constructed Eau Claire Promenade and Jaipur Bridge.

The Plaza is also being reconstructed to align with flood protection work happening in Eau Claire – the Eau Claire Promenade/Downtown Flood Barrier. The Plaza was re-graded as part of The City’s Flood Resilience Plan in order to protect Eau Claire and Calgary’s downtown from future flooding. The City’s Flood Resilience Plan manages flood risk in Calgary.

The creation of the Downtown Flood Barrier and re-grading the Plaza makes the downtown area resilient to at least a future 2013-level flood and significantly reduces the flood risk to Calgary’s economic, social and cultural centre.

In order for flood protection grading to occur, the Eau Claire and Bow River Lumber Co. building was moved to a new location on on 3^rd Street & 2^nd Avenue S.W. Moving the building ensures that it is protected and maintained as a historical resource into the future.

The City is committed to ensuring that the building and its historic value will be protected during its move and Plaza construction. The City is also committed to elevating the building’s prominence and historical ties to the area in the new designs for Eau Claire Plaza.

The building’s potential permanent location will increase its visibility and presence in the area, while also increasing its historical prominence at a location closer to Prince’s Island and the Eau Claire and Bow River Lumber Co.’s original saw mill log delivery river channel.

At The City of Calgary, we pride ourselves on building a great place to live and a great place to make a life. We know that construction can be disruptive. We are committed to keeping business access open throughout construction, while ensuring the safety and wellbeing of staff, contractors and the community.

When construction is underway, here’s what you can expect:

• An increase in on-site construction activity, including construction crews, vehicles and heavy equipment.
• Pathway and sidewalk closures and detours along the Bow River Pathway Network and surrounding areas ensure pedestrians and cyclists can travel safely through the area and still access their destinations.
• The temporary removal of some parking, road closures and potential road detours.
• Fencing around construction areas and on-site signage.
• An increase in noise and vibrations throughout construction. For example, demolition, pile driving, motorized equipment, ground compaction and vehicle back-up alarms.
• Installation of steel sheet piles that will generate ground vibrations in localized areas.
• Soil disturbance and dust emissions.
• An increase in truck and equipment traffic accessing the construction site(s) and surrounding areas.
• Material removal and delivery, as well as on-site flaggers to help direct traffic and pathway users.
• Temporary utility shut-downs may be required.
• Temporary transit stop relocations and detours.
• Construction activity on weekends, weekdays, and overnight as required.

The City's project team has been working directly with affected business owners to minimize the impact of construction on their business.​

To maintain safe access to the pathways and cycle network within the city, detours will connect people walking and wheeling along the Bow River Pathway from the West Eau Claire area to RiverWalk in Chinatown and East Village, and the downtown cycle track. To learn more about detours please visit Eau Claire Area Improvements construction and detours.

If the safety concern is a medical emergency, call 911. For all other questions or concerns, please call 311.​​