Firestone Concept Plan
The vision for a new community in east Calgary
The Firestone Concept Plan is my comprehensive strategy to revitalize 80 hectacres of industrial and commercial land that has sat largely dormant for decades. The site is north of Barlow / Max Bell Station on the Blue Line, spanning Mayland and Meridian, within Calgary's South McKnight planning area. The vision incorporates an orthogonal grid with a range of ground-oriented and multi-family housing, with businesses, schools, parks, plazas, pathways, waterways, and abundant trees. The Firestone Tower will anchor a park, and the community is designed to maximize western views by conforming to its stepped topography.
By the numbers
Location
The site is located in east Calgary, north of Barlow / Max Bell Station. It has an irregular shape and is bordered by:
Mayland Heights (North)
Meridian and Barlow Trail (East)
Memorial Drive and Barlow / Max Bell Station (South)
Mayland and Deerfoot Trail (West)
The site is situated on an elevated, stepped site that slopes down from east to west. It features sweeping views of the Rocky Mountains and the downtown skyline.
Structure map
The plan's main framework for land uses, public spaces, and the mobility network. The design is built on a modified grid under complete community principals. It incorporates many housing types, two schools, multiple parks, plazas, and waterways, along with abundant trees, pathways, and other amenities.
Transportation
Network plans for cycling, walking, transit, automotive, and logistics mobility in and around the Firestone plan area. The site is well connected with all modes of transportation and is less than 10 kilometres from the Calgary International Airport.
Implementation framework
① Adoption
Integrate the Firestone Concept Plan into the South McKnight Area Structure Plan (ASP). Establish and assign the portfolio to a master developer.
② Studies
Conduct environmental, structural, hydrological, and heritage assessments to determine conditions and guide development.
③ Land assembly
After completing environmental, structural, hydrological, and heritage studies, acquire parcels through partnerships, land swaps, and negotiated purchases, offering surplus industrial sites to impacted businesses.
④ Establishment
Conduct the statutory process to establish Firestone as a community by realigning the boundaries of Mayland and Meridian.
⑤ Grading and remediation
Complete grading and remediate soil contamination where appropriate while protecting heritage assets, trees, and non-impacted businesses.
⑥ Public realm construction
Install utilities, build the street network, construct parks and pathways, establish water features, and begin tree and landscape plantings.
⑦ Supportive infrastructure
Upgrade key infrastructure and connections adjacent to the community to facilitate access, improve mobility, and support Firestone.
⑧ Rezoning
Rezone individual parcels to establish the land-use designations required for the planned buildings and uses.
⑨ Civic infrastructure
Construct schools, emergency and community facilities, plazas, recreational amenities, and other community destinations under the plan's structure map.
⑩ Development
Sell or lease parcels to developers, public and private, who construct buildings under the plan's framework, with their own development applications. Revenue generated contributes to investment and maintenance costs.