For more than a decade, the land around Westbrook LRT station has sat empty. What should be one of Calgary’s most important transit hubs has instead become a symbol of missed opportunity: a space you pass through or avoid, and definitely not a place you spend time.

As someone who uses this transit station almost every day and hears about the need for more housing, more vibrant public spaces, and safer transit, I believe it’s time we turn Westbrook from derelict to destination.

The Challenge

Westbrook is a busy station, yet the land around it is bare and lifeless. The City owns the property again after receiving the land back from the developer, which means we don’t need to wait for private investors to step up – we already have the tools to act. Right now, that land sends the wrong message: instead of showing what transit-oriented development can be, it sits as an empty gap in the middle of our community.

A successful city doesn’t let prime real estate at a transit hub sit idle. We can do better.

My Vision for Westbrook

The goal is simple: turn Westbrook into a destination. That means creating a place that people want to go to, not just move through. My vision includes:

• New housing. We need more homes across Calgary, and Westbrook is a perfect location. Adding a mix of housing types here would put more people close to transit and services.
  
• Community gathering space. A central square or plaza where residents can meet, host events, and enjoy community life.
  
• A park with activities. Green space that invites people in – whether it’s for kids to play, families to picnic, or neighbours to connect.
  
• Small business opportunities. Local shops, cafés, and restaurants to bring life and vibrancy to the station area while supporting entrepreneurs.
  
  

This isn’t about dropping towers or concrete boxes onto the site. It’s about creating a true community hub, where housing, green space, and business all come together to support vibrancy and safety.

Engaging the Space as we Design

A project like this doesn’t have to wait until every detail is finalized. We can start using the space right away.

• Pop-up shops and food truck spaces. Temporary retail spaces could give local businesses a low-cost way to reach customers while brightening up the location.
  
• Early park space. Converting even part of the site into usable green space would immediately benefit nearby residents and draw more people to the station.
  
• Community garden. Simple additions like planter boxes could bring nearby residents together and begin to contribute to a sense of community.
  
  

Temporary measures allow us to activate the land now, while planning the long-term build-out in a way that maximizes housing and community amenities.

Why This Matters

Transforming Westbrook is about more than just one station. It’s about showing Calgarians what’s possible when we reinvest in our communities and make smart use of City-owned land.

• It supports our housing goals by building close to transit.
  
• It strengthens public safety by ensuring the station is surrounded by activity, not emptiness.
  
• It supports small businesses by giving them space in a high-traffic area.
  
• It provides public amenities that make life better for nearby residents.
  
  

When transit hubs are surrounded by life, they become safer, more welcoming, and more valuable to the community.

My Commitment

As your Councillor, I will push for a plan to transform Westbrook from derelict to destination. That means:

• Advocating for the City to prioritize development of its own land at the station.
  
• Ensuring new housing, small business space, parks, and gathering areas are all part of the mix.
  
• Supporting temporary engagement ideas on the currently empty land so that Calgarians see results quickly, without another decade of vacant land.
  
  

Westbrook has been waiting far too long. Let’s make it a model for how we can bring vibrancy, housing, and safety to Calgary’s transit hubs.

Let’s turn it into a destination – together.