Calgary street names: To change or not to change? - Page 4

crooked rain · #61 Posted: **Jun 3, 2008, 2:31 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by WeavedWeb

I completely agree. Notre Dame just doesn't sound right for 17th. The rest of the downtown street names would be good though -- I especiallly like Atlantic & Pacific

Don't turn us into Edmonton.

I like the name Notre Dame Rd for 17th. If not for the main commercial part, it would be good for the part from Stampede to 4th St to reflect the heritage of Mission.

frinkprof · #62 Posted: **Apr 14, 2009, 6:27 PM**

Bump! More talk of this lately.

DizzyEdge · #63 Posted: **Apr 14, 2009, 6:36 PM**

I'll bump the map too:

DizzyEdge · #64 Posted: **Apr 14, 2009, 6:44 PM**

My thoughts on the historic names.

1 - Names exude history and culture more than numbers
2 - Numbers allow you to find a never-before visited destination without a map
3 - Although there's names all over that map, they were changed to numbers so early in Calgary's history that it wouldn't surprise me of more than 50% of the blocks shown never had any buildings on them when the names existed (particularly in the Beltline and west downtown), and may not have even ever had roads constructed or roadsigns exhibiting those names. So if the names only ever existed on a few municiple planning maps, do they deserve to be resurrected? Discuss

frinkprof · #65 Posted: **Apr 14, 2009, 6:45 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Strongbow

..regarding hotwired comments, perhaps inserting 'pretentious' inplace of 'lame' might be more accurate, insofar at least that's how I see the casual use of these old names being used in place of street numbers...meh, just my opinion though, I suppose I'll be crucified for it...

I see the point of this. I don't know about the word "pretentious" though.

What I disagree with is the flip-flopping. The change was made, and although it may not have been the best one, I don't think it has been so bad that we need to revert back. Who's to say that in another 50 years, there isn't another movement that wants a change back to numbers, or to something else altogether? Onward, ever-upward I guess.

Now, I do think that the history should be recognized and I think 1st Street West has done a great job with the banners, etc. I say keep the numbered name as official, and have it on street signs, but also have art and other signage to recognize the historical name. Downfall is that it could be a little confusing for people new to the area/tourists.

DizzyEdge · #66 Posted: **Apr 14, 2009, 7:05 PM**

The former names do provide a convenient branding for any retail areas or mini BRZ's that show up on an old street.

freeweed · #67 Posted: **Apr 14, 2009, 7:16 PM**

Personal opinion? A couple of special places in a gridded inner city (Stephen Ave, Whyte Ave) are kinda cool. But this "let's rename this street as a branding exercise" wears thin VERY fast. Especially for anyone that tries to actually refer to such antiquated things as maps.

Do we go with "Calgary Flames Blvd" instead of 17th? How about "Red Mile Ave"? Maybe we should rename Hwy 2 the Queen Elizabeth something, because some random person that the world only cares about due to an accident of birth, who has no practical influence on anything here, once happened to deign us important enough for 15 minutes of her time?

Oh wait...

Calgary's funny in that it has 2 distinct naming schemes that in theory help navigation - numbered grid, plus suburban streets being named together. The weird part is that while the suburban system makes it very easy to get pretty close to an address, once you're there, you NEED a map. Even after several years at an address I can never remember whether the next street over is a Blvd or a Drive or a Road or whatever.

And of course, numbered streets only work well if you know the central radiating point - Edmonton has always confounded me for the first few minutes of a visit. Why bother even mentioning NW?? Yes, Yes, I know the official answer to that.

PS: this should be in the Transportation section, no?

mersar · #68 Posted: **Apr 14, 2009, 7:29 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by freeweed

PS: this should be in the Transportation section, no?

Yeah, I think it should be.

lubicon · #69 Posted: **Apr 14, 2009, 7:31 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by freeweed

Personal opinion? A couple of special places in a gridded inner city (Stephen Ave, Whyte Ave) are kinda cool. But this "let's rename this street as a branding exercise" wears thin VERY fast. Especially for anyone that tries to actually refer to such antiquated things as maps.

Do we go with "Calgary Flames Blvd" instead of 17th? How about "Red Mile Ave"? Maybe we should rename Hwy 2 the Queen Elizabeth something, because some random person that the world only cares about due to an accident of birth, who has no practical influence on anything here, once happened to deign us important enough for 15 minutes of her time?

Oh wait...

Calgary's funny in that it has 2 distinct naming schemes that in theory help navigation - numbered grid, plus suburban streets being named together. The weird part is that while the suburban system makes it very easy to get pretty close to an address, once you're there, you NEED a map. Even after several years at an address I can never remember whether the next street over is a Blvd or a Drive or a Road or whatever.

And of course, numbered streets only work well if you know the central radiating point - Edmonton has always confounded me for the first few minutes of a visit. Why bother even mentioning NW?? Yes, Yes, I know the official answer to that.

PS: this should be in the Transportation section, no?

And even this can be confusing. When I first moved to Calgary it took me forever to figure out exactly where a numbered address was. Since everything starts at (more or less) the centre of the city and radiates outward, numbered addresses aren't found until after you have passed the street whereas in all the other places I have lived they occur before. I was always out by one block when I looked for an address until I finally got used to it.

For example, lets say you were looking for 333 - 5th Ave SW in Calgary, and 333 - 5 Ave in Edmonton (if that address existed). Both are obviously located along 5th Avenue but in Calgary the address would be located between 3rd and 4th Streets whereas in Edmonton it would be between 2nd and 3rd Street.

frinkprof · #70 Posted: **Apr 14, 2009, 7:35 PM**

^Actually the addressing scheme in Calgary depends on whether it is on a street or an avenue. If it is on a street, the number 333 would be between 2nd and 3rd Avenues. If it is on an avenue, the number 333 would be between 3rd and 4th Streets.

DizzyEdge · #71 Posted: **Apr 14, 2009, 8:17 PM**

The main thing I wonder when looking at that old street map, is whether the bodies in that 24th Ave graveyard were moved...

DizzyEdge · #72 Posted: **Apr 14, 2009, 8:20 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by mersar

Alright, one quick question that I have, where/when did the name Broadway get put into use on whats now 4th, as from the map that I've seen from the late 1890's the street was Ross Street, not Broadway Street.

Quote:

Originally Posted by 93JC

I don't know where the idea it was named Broadway came from either. Every map I've ever seen also says Ross Street.

Although this is bumping an old post, the confusion is that the Broadway name was only used south of 17th ave beside Mission.

I'd really like the Mission streets to be renamed, I find it a shame that there are so little remnants of the French Canadian settlers there.

freeweed · #73 Posted: **Apr 14, 2009, 8:47 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by frinkprof

^Actually the addressing scheme in Calgary depends on whether it is on a street or an avenue. If it is on a street, the number 333 would be between 2nd and 3rd Avenues. If it is on an avenue, the number 333 would be between 3rd and 4th Streets.

SERIOUSLY???

LOL. I've never noticed this. How bizarre. I guess I only really look for addresses on Avenues, because I thought they all came after the street #.

Deepstar · #74 Posted: **Apr 14, 2009, 10:41 PM**

Scarth street all the way! I'd like to see at least a few streets re-named to the original name. I can't figured out why anyone would be opposed to that??

Stang · #75 Posted: **Apr 15, 2009, 2:11 AM**

I think having a few token named streets would be good for each area. I find the numbered system useful, but it is completely soulless.

I say rename some of the "character" streets back to their old names: Broadway, Notre Dame, Scarth, Atlantic, etc. It wouldn't be enough throw the grid into haywire, but it would help define the neighbourhoods.

We all know that Stephen Avenue is 8th. I'm sure that we can handle a few more interesting names without causing navigation mayhem on the streets!

Wooster · #76 Posted: **Apr 15, 2009, 3:14 AM**

^Yeah, clearly the streets with some degree of character and are a bit of a destination would be served well by being named. I agree with the ones mentioned.

kap384 · #77 Posted: **Apr 15, 2009, 4:12 AM**

I like Van Horne for 12th. Nod to CPR heritage.

DizzyEdge · #78 Posted: **Apr 15, 2009, 4:24 AM**

You know.. it could also be interesting to name the 7th (or 8th) ave ctrain stations after the historic cross street names.. Every car has a map (or 2.. or more?) showing the stations, so the numbered cross street names could shown on the map so people can still determine where to get off.

Look way up · #79 Posted: **Apr 17, 2009, 5:35 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by lubicon

I'd love to see a return to the old historical street names. To me it adds character.

Mind you, I think it was Mersar who showed some of the old names and IIRC Centre Street was Mctavish Street originally. I'm not sure if Calgary would put up with naming a street after the coach of the Edmonton Oilers (yes I realize the spelling may be different).

Actually most Flames fans probably love MacTavish and wish he was still coaching the Oilers

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wooster

^Yeah, clearly the streets with some degree of character and are a bit of a destination would be served well by being named. I agree with the ones mentioned.

I'm in the same boat as you. I'd like to see some of the historical names put back on the streets. I like the numbering system as a whole, but character streets should have a character name!!. I hate telling people in other cities that our vibrant streets are 1st street, 17th ave, 4th street, 10th street etc.. Even worse is having to add the SW, or NW for clarification It's a frigging embarrassment!

lubicon · #80 Posted: **Apr 17, 2009, 5:56 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Look way up

Actually most Flames fans probably love MacTavish and wish he was still coaching the Oilers

I'm in the same boat as you. I'd like to see some of the historical names put back on the streets. I like the numbering system as a whole, but character streets should have a character name!!. I hate telling people in other cities that our vibrant streets are 1st street, 17th ave, 4th street, 10th street etc.. Even worse is having to add the SW, or NW for clarification It's a frigging embarrassment!

And confusing. Try giving someone from out of town the following directions:

Drive east on 16 AVE NW, then turn south on 14 ST NW etc. etc.