Calgary’s CTrain stations are getting a much-needed breath of fresh life as the city rolls out plans to transform vacant retail spaces that have long sat empty along the transit corridor. The initiative aims to revitalize these forgotten storefronts while addressing safety concerns that have plagued certain stations in recent years.
Walking through Marlborough Station on a crisp autumn morning, the contrast is immediately noticeable. What was once a row of empty shop windows now features a small café where commuters grab coffee before their morning ride downtown. The scent of fresh pastries has replaced the institutional smell that lingered for years.
“We’ve seen a 30 percent increase in foot traffic during off-peak hours since these shops opened,” explains Carolyn Hooper, Calgary Transit’s community engagement coordinator. “It’s not just about commerce – it’s about creating spaces where people feel safe and welcome.”
The revitalization project targets seven stations initially, focusing on those with existing retail infrastructure that has remained unoccupied. City council approved the $3.2 million initiative last spring after community consultations revealed strong public support for bringing local businesses into transit spaces.
For Ward 10 Councillor Andre Chabot, the project represents a practical approach to multiple civic challenges. “We’re addressing safety concerns, supporting local entrepreneurs, and making better use of public infrastructure – all without major new construction,” Chabot told me during a tour of the Marlborough improvements.
Calgary Transit has partnered with the city’s economic development team to offer reduced-rate leases for the first year, making these locations more accessible to small business owners. The program specifically targets businesses that serve community needs and enhance the commuter experience.
Taryn Holmes opened her bookshop at Southland Station two months ago after operating exclusively online for three years. “The rent downtown was prohibitive, but this location gives me storefront visibility without breaking the bank,” Holmes says while arranging a window display. “Plus, I get thousands of potential customers passing by every day.”
The retail revival comes at a critical time for Calgary Transit, which has faced declining ridership and increasing security incidents since the pandemic. According to Calgary Police Service data, calls for service at CTrain stations increased by 18 percent between 2021 and 2023.
Transit safety advocate James Richardson, who leads the community group Transit Watch Calgary, sees the retail strategy as part of a broader security solution. “Empty spaces invite unwanted activity,” Richardson explains. “When you bring legitimate businesses in, you naturally get more eyes on the space and fewer problems.”
The approach mirrors successful transit retail models in cities like Vancouver and Toronto, where subway stations integrate commercial spaces that serve both commuters and surrounding neighborhoods. However, Calgary’s implementation includes distinctive features tailored to local needs.
Each station’s retail mix is being curated to complement the surrounding community. At Marlborough, this means family-oriented services and quick-service food options. At Southland, where many downtown workers commute from, the focus includes conveniences like dry cleaning and a small grocery outlet.
The Calgary Downtown Association has endorsed the initiative, seeing it as complementary to core revitalization efforts. “Transit connects our neighborhoods to downtown, and having vibrant stations strengthens that connection,” notes Sarah Hamza, the association’s executive director. “This isn’t competing with downtown – it’s creating stronger links to it.”
Not everyone is convinced the approach will succeed. Commercial real estate analyst Victor Sandhu points to previous failed attempts to animate these spaces. “Transit retail is challenging because customer patterns are so concentrated around rush hours,” Sandhu cautions. “The businesses that survive will need to be exceptionally smart about staffing and inventory.”
Calgary Transit is addressing these concerns by collecting and sharing detailed ridership data with prospective tenants, allowing them to make informed decisions about business hours and offerings. They’ve also waived minimum hours requirements that previously forced businesses to stay open during unprofitable periods.
For regular transit users like Maria Orozco, who commutes daily from Marlborough to her job downtown, the changes are already making a difference. “I used to feel rushed leaving the station, especially in winter when it gets dark early,” she says. “Now I sometimes stop for tea after work. The station feels like part of the neighborhood again.”
The social impact extends beyond convenience. Community groups have been invited to use certain spaces for free during off-hours, bringing activities like seniors’ chess clubs and youth homework programs into the stations. This programming helps maintain activity throughout the day.
Calgary Transit plans to evaluate the pilot project after one year, with metrics focused on both business viability and public safety indicators. If successful, the model could expand to additional stations throughout the network.
As our city continues to evolve post-pandemic, these station transformations represent more than just retail opportunity – they’re about reimagining public infrastructure as community spaces. By bringing storefronts back to life along our transit lines, Calgary may be finding a uniquely practical path to more vibrant, connected neighborhoods.
