Calgary's 'shovel ready' projects identified by city committee

Calgary wants to be ready in case the federal and provincial governments approve economic stimulus programs to help Alberta through a downturn.

• Is this the time to borrow for Calgary infrastructure, asks Nenshi

A city council committeeapproved Tuesday what it calls a unified list of unfunded capital projects so it knows what's ready to build if stimulus programs are launched soon.

"There is a slightly greater than zero per cent chance that there may be a new stimulus program coming sometime soon. If that is the case, then it's very helpful for us to have this," said Mayor Naheed Nenshi.

"What are the odds we'll actually get any new money? Not very high, but I want to be ready."

The list includes things such as:

• $224 million for four-car C-Train improvements includingmore Light Rail Vehicles and upgraded traction power.
• $202 million sports fieldhouse at Foothills Athletic Park.
• $139 million in bus rapid transit corridors.
• $22 million arrest processing unit to replace an outdated police facility downtown.

The 2015-18 budget approved by city council last fall did not include any money for these projects.

As for which items might get plucked from the list, Nenshi said it depends on the criteria for a stimulus program, how much money is available and if there are conditions on job creation.

Coun.Shane Keating agrees it's good for the city to be ready if economic stimulus programs are announced.

"This waywe can sit down and say, 'It's all here. It's on one list.' We can make a solid choice and move from there," said the Ward 12 councillor.

A document circulated at the committee meeting states 4,905 jobs could be created with the construction of Calgary Transit's planned Green Line, which includes dedicated bus lanes stretching from the city's northern limits to the deep southeast.

The fieldhouse at Foothills could create 1,000jobs. All other projects listed would create substantially fewer jobs.

The priority list will be debated at an upcoming city council meeting.