Expanded downtown cycle track set to open

Calgary cyclists dreaming of a road to call their town will soon see those dreams become reality.

Adding to Calgary's existing cycling infrastructure, four downtown streets will soon see the addition of dedicated bike lanes.

Along with a shared space running down a section of Stephen Avenue, the four new lanes will transform Fifth Street S.W., Eighth, Ninth and 12th avenues into bike-friendly routes as part of a pilot project by the City of Calgary.

This Sunday, Calgarians are invited to the ReTree YYC Fair at South Glenmore Park to learn more on restoring the city's urban canopy after Snowtember, a snow storm last fall.

The City of Calgary and industry experts will be on hand to give talks, demos and answer any tree questions residents might have about how to care for their trees. There will also be free mulch, activities for kids, entertainment and food options.

Calgary demographics influence housing

Calgarians, characterized in a recent report as among the youngest in Canada, are altering the city's housing landscape through a unique set of needs and wants, including a more diverse rental market, work/live spaces, home offices and multi-generational housing.

In its recently released The Changing Face of Calgary report, Urban Development Institute – Calgary and the Canadian Home Builders' Association – Calgary note the median age in Alberta (major urban centres) is a nation-low 36.5 years, and as the "population bulge trends toward youth, housing needs shift."

First reading on suite reform passes after marathon debate

In a more than 10 hour debate, Calgary city council made a small step towards secondary suite reform last night.

First reading was passed on a motion allowing secondary and backyard suites in Wards 7, 8, 9 and 11. If passed, those wishing to apply for a suite in those wards, which are comprised of 83 communities, could begin with a development permit instead of appearing before council.

Living in the inner city for a year, rent free?

Such just one of the perks offered by the Calgary Municipal Land Corp. (CMLC) with partners FRAM + Slokker and Embassy BOSA and Knightsbridge Homes for Calgary's "best job" offer acting as the Resident Ambassador for the re-emerging community.

CREB staff take in shelter from perspective of single-mothers

As part of Claire's Campaign 2015, members of the public were invited to experience Calgary's Inn from the Cold from a perspective of a single-mother.

Claire's Campaign is named for the mother of businessman and philanthropist Gary Nissen, who has offered to match every donation made to Inn from the Cold during the month of May to a maximum of $200,000.

Some CREB staff participated in the experience today, here's a timeline of what went down.

Calgary's inner city has everything at arm's reach

Having recently returned to Calgary after living in London, England, Jon Dola has just commenced his search for a new home.

And despite having been back in the city for less than a month, he's already made up his mind as to where his new home will be located.

"I'm looking in Kensington, Sunnyside and Bridgeland," said Dola, who lived in Calgary for nearly eight years prior to setting off to Jolly Old England.

Two young professionals living in the inner city versus suburbia

Calgarian Crystal Scriven went five years without a car until purchasing one last September.

Her deference to driving came down to her needs at the time, but also personal preference – a sentiment shared by a growing number of young adults, suggests Zipcar's annual Millennial Survey.

The survey, released last month, found 45 per cent of millennials – the most popular definition of which is someone born between the early 1980s and early 2000s – are making a conscious effort to reduce how much they drive.

RBC makes donation to Calgary RESOLVE campaign

A 160-unit building will be constructed under Calgary's RESOLVE Campaign thanks to a $1-million donation from RBC.

The gift, presented April 17, was designated to Horizon Housing Society, which provides homes for people with mental health challenges and disabilities as well as families and seniors working below the poverty line, and the working poor.