Marda Loop welcomes back shoppers following more than two years of disruptive construction

Much to the delight of many local business owners, Marda Loop's main shopping stretch is free of construction disruption after more than two years.

After more than two years of infrastructure upgrades in Marda Loop, the bustling Calgary community officially celebrated the completion of major construction on Wednesday.

The City of Calgary’s “Main Streets” project—which revitalized 33rd and 34th avenues S.W.—brings an end to road closures, detours and noise from ongoing work since June 2023.

The area underwent about $30 million worth of construction, including street and sidewalk upgrades to improve pedestrian safety.

With a delayed timeline, some businesses could not financially cope, closing down and leaving the area.

“Marda Loop has always been one of Calgary’s most dynamic and diverse neighbourhoods,” said Bob van Wegen, executive director at the Marda Loop Business Improvement Area (BIA).

“With the major construction behind us, we’re excited to welcome Calgarians back to shop, dine and explore. Every visit supports local businesses and strengthens our city’s economy.”

Paul Morissette, owner of Fresh Kitchen and president of the Marda Loop BIA board of directors, is relieved to be celebrating a new era for the community.

“After weathering the challenges of the past few years, it feels incredible to look out our front door and see people enjoying the sidewalks, patios and energy of the street again,” said Morrisette.

“This community has a renewed spark.”

Barb Sheldon, owner of Lemon and Ladle, which opened just nine weeks ago, says despite the construction impacts, there was no place she’d rather open a new business.

“We wanted to open a place together to feed the community,” said Sheldon.

“And when we looked around here, we thought, this is it. This is where we want to be. We know what this is going to be. It’s beautiful, and it’s within walking distance for the seniors and the families and people in the neighbourhood, and we’re nothing but excited to be here.”

The prolonged disruption and alleged mismanagement of the project also led to a proposed $75-million class-action lawsuit filed against the City of Calgary on May 30.

It was brought forward by dozens of businesses and spearheaded by the owners at Silver Sage Beef and Diner Deluxe.

It alleges negligence by the city in carrying out the Main Streets project.

The uncertified claim cites “extreme drops in customer traffic” due to restricted access, limited parking and significant delays, resulting in financial hardship and, in some cases, forced closures of once-stable operations.

Litigation timelines have been confirmed by both sides.

The plaintiffs will have to submit a certification record by December, and the city will have about two months to respond in court.

The case is expected to be heard sometime next year.

Marda Loop businesses now want Calgarians to return to the community for holiday shopping and to rediscover the shops and restaurants.

“We opened our store in May of 2023, and we had a few blissful months of not knowing the construction was coming,” said Nicola McNaughton, owner of Slow Burn Books.

“And then September hit, and it’s been construction ever since September of ’23.”

She says she’s hopeful people will return.

“Just a lot of people telling us, ‘We’re completely avoiding the Loop entirely, and we’re not going to step foot in this area,’” said McNaughton.

“And so that’s been hard to hear as a small business, for sure.”

The BIA expects it will see the impact of a fully open community by next summer.