About

Downtown Calgary operates under the legal entity of the Calgary Downtown Association (CDA), which was formed in 1988.

CDA is a Business Revitalization Zone established under the Municipal Government Act that represents 3,000 businesses in a 120-block area in the centre of the city. This area comprises over 50 million square feet of office, hotel, retail, restaurant, entertainment, attractions, cultural and government buildings. It was formed as a result of a petition by Downtown businesses in November 1988 and is funded primarily by a levy on the business taxes paid by Downtown businesses.

Our ratepayers provide services and employment to the 120,000 to 145,000 workers who commute each day, to the approximately 16,000¹ people who make the downtown their home, and to visitors who come to Calgary to conduct business or as tourists.

It is the responsibility of the CDA to support the desires of the businesses we represent, act as their voice, and by direct initiatives which increase the vitality of the downtown for all Calgarians, constantly improve the image of downtown.

As advocates and catalysts for Downtown vitality, the CDA provides leadership and management in five key areas:

• Media, Public & Government Relations
• Economic & Urban Development
• Marketing & Communications
• Festivals & Event Development
• Safety & Streetscape Improvements

Our boundaries are the inner city core between 9th Avenue and the Bow River and from 9th Street SW to 3rd Street SE (map)

Vision:

Downtown is the premiere place in Calgary for people to live work and play

Mission:

To champion a vital, prosperous, attractive and livable downtown community.

¹ City of Calgary 2008 Census for Chinatown, Downtown Core, Downtown East Village, Downtown West End and Eau Claire