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About Us

International Avenue is a vibrant business district with a diverse ethnic composition located on 17th Avenue S.E., from 26 to 61st streets, in Calgary. Now known as Calgary's Culinary and Cultural Capital. There is an interesting mix of businesses representative of the cosmopolitan neighbourhoods surrounding the Avenue. You will find one-stop shopping with access to a selection of restaurants and grocery stores from around the world and a wide range of other retail goods and services. Over 425 businesses operate within the zone. Convenient FREE parking is available throughout. The Mission of the organization is “to promote, improve and create a more pleasant community in which to shop and live”.

 

The BRZ is achieving these goals by:

  • A maintenance program designed to clean the shopping district

  • Promotional/image initiatives

  • Special community events

  • The completion of an urban design plan and vision – approved at City Council, 2010, International Avenue Area Redevelopment Plan- 2018

  • Plans for a sustainable community

  • A crime prevention safety plan – adopted

  • A pedestrian friendly approved comprehensive transportation policy – approved for funding 2014 and construction of the plan began in 2016. The majority of which was completed in 2018. Unity Park and minor sections completed in 2019.

  • An implementation strategy

  • A comprehensive community economic development plan

  • A variety of community partnerships

  • A development strategy - Land use changes have been undertaken to simplify the development of the Avenue going forward (as of Dec, 2018).

  • An incubation strategy and research for new business concepts

  • A co-work hub with gallery space (see EMERGE).

  • Responsible for all art cultural murals and upkeep throughout the zone

  • We actively worked to ensure public art funding was provided for the redesign of 17th Avenue which resulted in the BRT art concept (26 pieces by local artists) and six stand alone pieces being incorporated into our public realm.

  • Own and operate the Unity Park at 3111 17 Avenue SE

  • Served on the Journey to Freedom Park artist selection, landscape design team, and stakeholder engagement lead.

  • Worked to reduce impacts of poverty from predatory lending(Bill 51)

  • Responsible for site amenity upkeep, flowers, banners and all secondary decorative lighting and entry way signage

  • Comprehensive Security Program for merchants and property owners

  • Working towards a Just Community  ( some cutting edge work is being done by the Partnership of Southern Equity, USA) to ensure Just Communities in planning by ensuring equitable development. As the first Canadian Accredited Practitioner of the Just Communities , our Executive Director, is working with community towards recommendations which will create a plan that corrects past injustices and future inequities in development planning. 

  • Full time litter and graffiti abatement program.

Meet Our Team

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Rajko, BCOMM

Economic Development Assistant (Casual)

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The 2024 Board of Directors

Chairperson: Gita Boyd-Gita Boyd Associates/Canadian Ventures
Secretary: Syn Amanuel-Selamta Immigration Services
Treasurer: Maria Hoover-FUSE 33


Raj Chhoker - Reliance Legal Corp.(Associate Member)
Dr Kulwinder Rajewal - Forest Lane Medical Clinic
Adam Rhind - Bathtub Bikes
Chelsea Singer - Rep for UPS Store
Franics Small - Calgary Co-op
Zane Khakoo - Artech Printing (missing from photo)
Cst. Phillips and Cst. Saunders - Calgary Police Service (non-voting)(missing from photo)

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Thank You to Our Freinds

International Avenue would like to acknowledge all the wonderful people who've helped us get to where we are today. We couldn't have done all this without the help and support of all our friends!

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