'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
'State or state-sponsored actor' believed to be behind B.C. government hacks
The head of British Columbia’s civil service has revealed that a “state or state-sponsored actor” is behind multiple cyber-security incidents against provincial government networks.
Here's how much more Canadian landlords are asking for now, according to a just-released report
A new report says the average asking rent for a home in Canada in April was up 9.3 per cent compared with a year ago, while a slight month-over-month increase was also recorded for the first time since January.
Rare severe solar storm Friday could bring spectacular aurora light show across Canada
A rare and severe solar storm is expected to bring spectacular displays of the northern lights, also known as aurora borealis, across much of Canada and parts of the United States on Friday night.
Swarm of 20,000 bees gather around woman’s car west of Toronto
A swarm of roughly 20,000 bees gathered around a woman’s car in the parking lot of Burlington Centre.
What is basic income, and how would it impact me?
Parliamentarians are considering a pair of bills aiming to lift people out of poverty through a basic income program, but some fear these types of systems could result in more taxes for Canadians who are already financially struggling.
Canada abstains from Palestinian UN membership vote but supports two-state solution
Canada was one of 25 countries that abstained from a United Nations vote on Palestinian membership that passed with overwhelming support on Friday.
'I may have some nightmares:' Man survives being bitten by 2 sharks in Bahamas
A man who was bitten by two sharks in the Bahamas said Thursday he's 'thankful that I'm here' while sharing his story of survival.
Out-of-control wildfire burning near Fort McMurray
As of 9 a.m. on Friday, the wildfire burning 28 kilometres southwest of the northeastern Alberta city was 25 hectares in size.
Mexico's president accuses press and volunteer searchers for missing people of 'necrophilia'
The administration of Mexico's president has accused the press and volunteer searchers who look for the bodies of missing people of 'necrophilia,' comments that drew criticism this week.