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Robo-parkade planned for downtown Calgary

Artist's rendition of automated parkade project proposed for downtown Calgary. Heritage Property Corp.

The city’s planning commission has approved a major redevelopment downtown that will include Calgary’s first automated parkade.

The project, by a private developer, would go up in the 100 block of 7 Avenue S.W.

Along with the parkade, it would include office and retail space and a restaurant on the top level.

Heritage Property Corporation plans to restore the historical facades of the existing buildings on the block so they retain their heritage value.

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Some members of the planning commission have concerns about the parkade, noting it doesn’t fit in with the city’s downtown parking plan.

But most believe the project’s heritage component outweighs those concerns.

“We think there’s a recognition that not only do you need urban revitalization, because the area is a bit of a slum, you need heritage preservation,” says Neil Richardson of Heritage Property.

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“As [Councillor] Druh Farrell indicated, a slavish following of a parking policy may not be the perfect solution and this is a compromise that can be acceptable.”

City council must still approve the project and a public hearing will be held before the proposal goes to a final vote, likely in July.

The parade will have almost 400 spaces. Vehicles would be parked using a computer-automated system.

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