'Sign of the times': Bowness residents watch as rezoning, construction changes community around them
In the northwest Calgary community of Bowness, single-family homes are making way for multi-family apartments and row houses.
Dee Allen lives on Bowwood Road, where rezoning and construction are visible from blocks away in either direction.
Allen has witnessed the changes from her front porch, observing the demolition of houses across from her on Bowwood Drive to accommodate new developments.
"It's like losing a good friend," Allen said about the loss of her community's original charm.
The redevelopment has sparked mixed reactions among Bowness residents.
Some, like Jesse Murphy, who resides in a new row house, welcome the change, as it provides much-needed housing.
"These big, multi-family units, as soon as it's done, it's full," Murphy said.
"I don't know where all these people were living before, but ... this is necessary."
Others like Allen fear the loss of the community's identity.
"This isn't progress. It's going backwards," Allen said.
"This is going backwards. We're going to lose our community, and it's so precious."
Alkarim Devani, co-founder of Calgary-based Round Square, the developer behind some of the new construction, encourages locals to embrace the evolution.
"The things that make our communities vibrant, that are the communities that we all want to live in, is that change," Devani said.
"It comes with the coffee shop, it comes with the amenities, it comes with the investment and walkability."
Jim Angevine, another resident, sees the redevelopment as inevitable.
"It's a sign of the times. Always, things change. It's one thing in life you can count on," Angevine said.
"I think, in the long run, it'll work. Things usually work out in the long run. That's what I always find."
As Bowness continues to evolve, the debate over the pace and scale of rezoning reflects the broader challenges Calgary faces in balancing growth with community preservation.
Public hearings on a plan to allow so-called "blanket rezoning" will continue at city council throughout the week.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Air turbulence: When can it become dangerous?
Flight turbulence like that encountered by a Singapore Airlines flight on Tuesday is extremely common, but there's one aspect of severe turbulence an aviation expert says can lead to serious injury.
B.C. serial killer Robert Pickton hospitalized after prison attack
British Columbia serial killer Robert Pickton was attacked and sustained life-threatening injuries in a Quebec prison Sunday in what officials described as a 'major assault.'
People in Gaza are 'wasting' from famine: World Food Programme director
World Food Programme executive director Cindy McCain says people living in Gaza are 'wasting' as famine concerns continue amid the war between Israel and Hamas.
WATCH Why today's inflation numbers are good if you have a mortgage
New inflation data is 'welcome news' for consumers and an economist says it could signal the possibility for a interest rate cut as several core measures also continue to ease.
Toronto Blue Jays fan struck by 110 m.p.h foul ball offered tickets, signed baseball by team
The Toronto Blue Jays have offered tickets and a signed baseball to a fan who says she was struck in the face by a 110 m.p.h (177 km/h) foul ball at Friday’s game.
OPP continues to investigate boat collision north of Kingston, Ont. that left 3 people dead
Ontario Provincial Police continue to investigate a long weekend fatal boat collision on Bobs Lake, north of Kingston, Ont.
Matthew Perry's death is being investigated over ketamine level found in actor's blood, reports say
An investigation has been opened into the death of Matthew Perry and how the “Friends” actor received the anesthetic ketamine, which was ruled a contributing factor in his death.
'Miscommunication' Liberals say of Speaker Fergus event invite Conservatives call partisan
House of Commons Speaker Greg Fergus is facing fresh Conservative-led calls to resign, this time over "very partisan" and 'inflammatory' language used – the Liberals say mistakenly – to promote an upcoming event.
'Mr. Trump doesn't worry us', says Canadian ambassador
As Prime Minister Justin Trudeau continues the 'Team Canada' charm offensive to U.S. lawmakers and business leaders, Canada's ambassador to the United States downplayed the effect of another Trump presidency on Canada.