Don't be surprised if you notice more action down on Stephen Avenue in the months to come. It's all part of the City of Calgary's innovative plans to reimagine and energize the area.

Much more than a facelift, the revitalization takes a three-pronged approach. Co-spearheaded by the Downtown Calgary Association, each phase will prepare the popular thoroughfare for the future of downtown, encouraging more people to visit, stay longer and increase business.

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.

*Sandstone City: A series looking at the people, architecture and culture of Calgary's sandstone glory days

Stephen Avenue fire almost 130 years ago sparked Calgary's sandstone era

As the Calgary Stampeders celebrated their Grey Cup win Dec. 2, little did they know they were revelling on the site of a once-tragic fire.

On Nov. 7, 1886, flames ravaged downtown Calgary, destroying about 18 buildings that ranged from hotels and barns to saloons. While no one was killed, losses added up to more than $100,000 – an astronomical sum for the times.