3 things to watch for at city hall

Welcome to a special Tuesday edition of what’s coming up this week at city hall. There’s bound to be some controversy in committee meetings as councillors discuss proposals that already have people talking.

No smoking in the square

Coun. Michael Walters confirmed Thursday he plans to file a motion for a smoking ban in Winston Churchill Square.

Walters wants to extend the existing ban around the city fountain and pool into the main square, with designated smoking areas on the perimeter.

Walters said Thursday that the city tries to attract families to the square, and it needs to have a child-friendly atmosphere.

“The city of Calgary has done this years ago for these very reasons, and I think it’s time we move to that,” Walters said.

According to a city report, enforcing a smoking ban in the square will take more by-law officers.

Councillors will debate the idea on Wednesday. If approved, the new rules would go before city council before coming into effect.

Return of the funicular?

Councillors will get an update on a project that could have a major impact on the way people interact with the river valley.

In July, councillors were presented with a proposal for mechanized access to the valley from the north side of 100th Street and the south side of 105th Street. The design of the lift hasn’t been determined yet.

The project also includes a promenade, similar to the one in Louise McKinney Park.

Administration hopes to get the new river valley project constructed by 2016, but a city report said that will be a challenge, given the environmental and archaeological concerns in the area.

“Together, both of these projects have the purpose of enhancing the connectivity between the new Walterdale Bridge, the repurposed Rossdale Generating Station and West Rossdale,” Coun. Walters said in a blog post from July.

In 2012, council approved $34.4 million for mechanized river valley access. So far, $66,600 has been spent

Improving bike lanes

The city reviewed some key bike lanes for safety and usability in order to come up with some ideas for improvements.

Administration found bike routes along 106th Street, 40th Avenue, and 95th Avenue are all safe and operating well.

​They also found ways to make the lanes safer for cyclists, including improving signage and improved snow and debris clearing.

Those improvements would cost between $1 million  to $2 million. Work would start in 2015 if the improvements are approved in the city’s capital budget.

The report also highlights an interesting fact: “The greatest concentration of cycling collisions is located in the downtown core of the city, where there are no exclusive on-street bicycle facilities.”

What are your thoughts on these stories? Share in the comments below.