Gaetz Avenue Revitalization
Red Deer, AB
Once a part of the Calgary–Edmonton Trail until the highway bypassed around Red Deer, Gaetz Avenue is an important part of the commercial history of the city, being home to historical buildings, unique businesses and a diversity of visitors and residents.
Sidewalk Features
The streetscaping design was informed by a “pedestrian first” mantra, leading to wider sidewalks, rolled curbs and dropped street corners, as well as mid-block crosswalks with well-marked crosswalks to limit jaywalking. Since most of the sidewalks, roads and curbs were still in good condition, they were retained and only slightly modified by adding saw-cut patterning and paving stone cut-outs.
Style Unity
Overall visual appeal and continuity was created by incorporating similar features on the sidewalk benches, trash bins, street lighting, metal rail fences and gateway arch.
Roadway Improvements
To make the roadway safer, alternating angle parking known as “chicane” parking slows down the vehicles as they wind back and forth through the streetscape.
Wayfinding
Unique architectural street markers delineate each block of Gaetz Avenue, providing directional cues. Historical building markers were also incorporated into the design, as were sand-blasted sidewalk wayfinding elements pointing to notable buildings and tourist sites.
To see a before & after transformation of Gaetz Avenue, click here.
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