Sunalta Main Street
Main Street Sunalta
10 Avenue S.W.
Project updates
October 2026
Design Reveal
The preferred design concept for Sunalta Main Street has been selected.
After two rounds of public engagement and a Co-Design process with the community, we are sharing the preferred design concept for the future of 10 Avenue S.W. and show how public feedback helped shape it.
The design reflects what we heard from you: a safer, greener, more welcoming main street, with better spaces to walk, more trees and greenery, room for public art and community gathering, and support for local businesses.
Community members are invited to explore the proposed concept online, attend an in-person pop-up event, or join a virtual information session to learn more and ask questions.
At this time, construction funding has not yet been approved. If funding is allocated through a future City budget, construction could begin as early as 2028. We will continue to share updates as the design process moves forward.
Utility mapping work – late October 2026
Crews will be doing investigative work at five locations along 10 Avenue S.W. to confirm the location of underground gas, power and telecommunications lines. This helps the project team plan future construction accurately.
This work is for planning purposes only. Construction is not starting at this time.
When: October 26-30, 2026. Work is weather dependent.
Where: 1627, 1700, 1721, 1822 and 1928 10 Ave. S.W.
What to expect:
- A hydrovac truck, which uses pressurized water and a vacuum to dig safely around buried lines, will dig a small test hole at each location. Each hole will be patched afterward. Work takes about one day per location.
- Temporary “No Parking” signs will go up at least 24 hours before any parking closures. Through traffic will be maintained unless otherwise posted.
- Short sidewalk restrictions may be needed near a test hole. Please follow on-site signs and crew directions. Business access is not expected to be affected.
- Expect equipment noise during daytime work hours. Crews will make reasonable efforts to minimize disruption.
- Calgary Transit Route 90 serves this area. If a stop is temporarily affected, follow posted notices or visit calgarytransit.com.
Questions? Contact the project team at mainstreetsunalta@calgary.ca
Today’s look at 10 Avenue S.W. before its exciting redesign.
10 Avenue S.W. before its exciting redesign.
10 Avenue S.W. before its exciting redesign.
10 Avenue S.W. before its exciting redesign.
10 Avenue S.W. before its exciting redesign.
10 Avenue S.W. before its exciting redesign.
10 Avenue S.W. before its exciting redesign.
Aerial photos of 10 Ave S.W.
Aerial photo #1 of 10 Ave S.W.
Aerial photo #2 of 10 Ave S.W.
Aerial photo #3 of 10 Ave S.W.
Aerial photo #4 of 10 Ave S.W.
Aerial photo #5 of 10 Ave S.W.
Aerial photo #6 of 10 Ave S.W.
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Timeline
Main Streets Implementation guide approved by Council.
West Elbow Local Area Plan approved by Council (including direction for the Sunalta Main Street)
Funding for the design of Sunalta Main Street was approved in early 2024.
Construction begins if funding is approved.
Project vision
The vision for the Sunalta Main Street project is to create a welcoming and pedestrian-friendly space that enhances safety, accessibility, and community connections. When complete, it will support local businesses, provide new gathering spaces, and reflect Sunalta’s unique character. The master plan focuses on 10 Avenue S.W. (from Bow Trail to 14 Street S.W.). The additional study and insights gathered for 14 Street S.W. will be retained to help inform future planning and investment along the corridor.
Why we are improving
10 Avenue S.W. is the heart of the Sunalta community, connecting homes, local businesses, parks, and transit. While the corridor plays an important role in daily life, its current condition does not fully support the growth and vibrancy of the neighbourhood.
Though one third of residents commute to work without a vehicle, pedestrians navigate narrow sidewalks interrupted by driveways and utility poles, making walking less safe and comfortable. The overall streetscape is not cohesive and lacks a neighbourhood character. The sparse tree canopy means little relief from the sun on hot summer days.
Through Calgary’s Main Streets Program, The City is working to transform 10 Avenue S.W. into a safer, more welcoming, and people-focused street that better reflects the character of Sunalta - creating the conditions for future development, businesses, and community life to thrive.
Main Street Goals
For 10 Avenue S.W., we’re focusing on four main goals to make these streets better for everyone:
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Boosting local business and community life
We want people to spend time on 10 Avenue S.W., not just pass through. A comfortable, attractive street design brings more customers to local daycares, pubs, and shops, and creates space for people to linger and gather. Wider sidewalks, seating, planting, and room for patios or community events help local businesses draw customers and give the community a stronger public space to call its own.
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Improving how people move around
We’re following the Calgary Transportation Plan to help people move safely along the street and access destinations, transit, and community amenities. Updating the street with wider sidewalks, a raised streetscape, and accessible crossings will make 10 Avenue S.W. safer, more comfortable, and more welcoming for residents, visitors, and businesses.
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Bringing out the street’s unique identity
10 Avenue S.W. has its own character, shaped by the people who live and spend time there. We have worked with the community to understand what makes these streets special and how to highlight those features in the redesign.
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Creating a greener and healthier Street
Right now, 10 Avenue S.W. doesn’t have many trees or plants, and that can make the street feel uninviting. We want to add more trees and greenery to enhance the look and feel of the street.
Working with the community
We’re using a Co-Design process to involve the community in shaping the future of 10 Avenue SW. This means we will work with residents, businesses, and community groups to share ideas and explore options together.
The opportunity to apply for the Co-Design Group was open from Mar. 31 – Apr. 15, 2025. Thank you to everyone who applied! Successful applicants were notified on April 23, 2025.
About the Co-design Process
The Sunalta Main Street Co-Design process brought together residents, business owners, community members, City staff, and the project team to help shape the future of 10 Avenue S.W. Participants shared ideas, explored opportunities and challenges, and worked together through a series of seven workshops to inform the design for Sunalta's Main Street.
The Co-Design process focused on understanding how people use the street today and what they want to see in the future. Participants discussed topics such as safety, accessibility, public spaces, greenery, neighbourhood identity, mobility, parking for business access, and opportunities for community gathering. Community feedback was considered alongside technical requirements and engineering considerations throughout the design process.
What was achieved through Co-Design?
The Co-Design Group helped:
- Identify community values and priorities for the future of 10 Avenue S.W.
- Develop a shared understanding of the opportunities and challenges along the corridor.
- Refine and evaluate design concepts.
- Inform the preferred design direction.
- Build stronger connections between community members, City staff, and the project team.
- Explore ideas for future community activation and placemaking opportunities.
How did the process work?
The Co-Design Group met through seven workshops that included discussions, storytelling, mapping exercises, walkabouts, concept reviews, and hands-on design activities. Participants worked through a process of discovering opportunities, defining priorities, developing ideas, and refining the preferred design. Public engagement results were shared throughout the workshops so participants could see how community-wide feedback aligned with the Co-Design discussions.
How did Co-Design influence the project?
Feedback from the Co-Design Group informed the development of the street design concepts and helped shape the preferred design for Sunalta Main Street. The process ensured that local knowledge, lived experience, and community values played an important role in creating a street that is safe, accessible, welcoming, and reflective of Sunalta's unique character.
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Click to view the postcard with contact information.
The Main Streets Program
The City develops Streetscape Master Plans for identified Main Streets based on citizen feedback, technical analysis, and financial considerations.
The concept of a Main Street reflects the integration between public space, business, and people. The plan supports the needs identified by the community and provides a vision that guides the detailed design and construction phases.
The vision encompasses numerous considerations, including:
- Design for pedestrian safety
- Enhanced interaction between different mobility modes
- Creation of placemaking opportunities
- Provision of trees and site furnishings for comfort
- Design to support local businesses
- Connection to park spaces and amenities
- Transit and laneway access improvements
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Main Street?
A Main Street is more than just a road - it's a vibrant, people-focused street where neighbours connect, local businesses thrive, and everyone feels safe, and welcome. It balances how people move, rest and gather, creating a shared space that supports community life and local identity.
Why is Sunalta our next Main Street?
Sunalta is growing and changing. Now is a good time to redesign its Main Street to improve safety, support local businesses, address social challenges, and create a welcoming space that helps the neighbourhood reach its potential.
How is The City addressing concerns about safety and unwanted activities?
We are listening to public feedback and working with other City teams and partners to make the street feel safer and more welcoming.
What is the additional study on 14 Street S.W.?
This study looks at how 14 Street S.W. is used - such as traffic levels, public spaces, and infrastructure - to see what improvements might be possible.
When will construction start?
Construction doesn’t have funding yet. If it gets funding, it could start in 2028.
How will The City work with residents, businesses, and organizations on 10 Ave S.W.?
We will connect through door knocking, one-on-one talks, pop-up events, and block chats. Our goal is to make sure businesses and the community can still thrive during construction, with a focus on safety, access, and keeping the area vibrant.