Despite the success of a pilot project aimed at reducing the number of problem dumpsters in downtown alleys the cost of a permanent program is too expensive.
The pilot project was initiated in 2007 to reduce crime and make alleyways more accessible. But due to a downturn in the economy during the past few years the city and the Calgary Downtown Association altered their initial plan to have dumpster-free laneways. In 2008 they focused on “problem” dumpsters and by 2011 they had reduced the number of dumpsters that were in disrepair vandalized or blocking lane access to 70 from 250 between 2008 and 2010.
“Our laneways were in awful shape with overflowing dumpsters and I think we really cleaned it up” Ald. Druh Farrell says.
A report presented to the Utilities and Environmental Protection Committee on April 27 says if the program was expanded the cost of waste handling could double — an amount downtown businesses refuse to pay.
The Calgary Downtown Association says it wants to continue working with the city and businesses to target alleys with typically high crime traffic including Stephen Avenue and Seventh Avenue.
“We definitely noticed a visible improvement and we want to keep working on the alleys with a vision in mind to have them walkable” association spokesperson Caralyn Macdonald says.
