Strategic revitalization initiatives that take place in Downtown Lethbridge including but not limited to the replacement of flower planters, reconstruction of entire corridors, beautification of public parks, restoration of historic buildings and development of new modern buildings are all linked to a hierarchy of important plans, studies, and reports.
These plans, studies, and reports ensure that revitalization efforts strategically address the immediate needs of the Downtown while at the same time developing long-term goals for guiding future development.
Heart of our City Master Plan
The Heart of Our City Master Plan (HOCMP) represents a milestone in the long-term project to revitalize Downtown Lethbridge by providing the framework to guide future public improvements and private development, to ensure the emergence of just such a coherent, vibrant, and economically vital Downtown.
> About Heart of our City
Downtown Area Redevelopment Plan
The Downtown Area Redevelopment Plan (DARP) is a statutory plan authorized by the Municipal Government Act. The DARP provides a planning framework and supporting policies that will guide future years of development in the Downtown.
> Redevelopment Plan
Galt Gardens Master Plan
The Galt Gardens Master Plan is a master development plan for the centrally located urban park. The master plan includes key implementation strategies and recommendations on subsequent steps to be taken in the design development of Galt Gardens.
> Master Plan
Alberta Main Street
Programme
The Alberta Main Street Programme was a programme of the Alberta Historical Resource Foundation and was formally drafted in 1987. This programme created guidelines to assist in the rehabilitation, coordinated development, and general revitalization of Alberta's historic main streets and downtowns. Many municipalities across Alberta, including Lethbridge, continue to pull inspiration from this programme and use it to influence design considerations of their downtown's to this day.
> AB Mainstreet Program - Sign Guidelines
Civic Common Master Plan
The Civic Common Master Plan provides a comprehensive long-term plan to guide future decisions on fulfilling the community's vision for future public amenities in the Civic Common, formerly referred to as the Civic Precinct, which is a four-square-block section that includes land occupied by City Hall south to the Civic Ice Centre as well as the Civic Field, the Yates Theatre, the LSCO complex and the Old Courthouse.
> Master Plan
Public Realm and Transportation Study
The Public Realm and Transportation Study (PRATS) builds on the vision, ideas, and concepts for Downtown development that were expressed in the Heart of Our City Master Plan to produce a strategy on the future development of public urban space including facility requirements for active, public realm improvements, alternative and accessible transportation modes, freight, vehicles, and parking in the Downtown area.
> Study
Development-Based Grants and Incentives
Development-based grants and incentives, when strategically developed have proven to be an effective tool in economic development in key strategic areas to yield high community return on investment (ROI). ROI can be found and/or calculated in different ways such as new jobs, increased tax base, physical improvements in a geographic area, increased local spending, and/or addressing strategic goals of the community (i.e. Affordable housing, revitalization, etc.)
> 2022 Economic SPC Update on Grants and Incentives
