4th Street S.W. underpass 'animated light' renovation priced at $6.7M

Calgary's $6.7-million plan to transform the dreary and sometimes scary underpass at Fourth Street S.W. involves an interactive light display that changes when pedestrians walk by.

That was the "highest rated" of the several ideas considered for the redesign of the major corridor, which connects the city's downtowncore with the Beltlinebeneath the CP Rail tracks, according to a city report.

Click and slide the centre bar back and forth to see the current and proposed look:

Citycouncillorswill be asked on Friday to approve $2.2 million in additional funding for the project, which has $4.5 million already devoted to it.

Half the additional funding would come from the developer-financed Beltline Community Investment Fund and half from the city's public art fund.

Directors of both funds have voted in favour of using $1.1 million each toward the project.

Series of underpass renovations

The city approved a series of downtownunderpass renovations in May 2007 as part of a long-term plan for the area.

Coun. EvanWoolleysaid the renovations are an important improvement to the "super-critical" links between theBeltlinecommunities and the downtown core.

"These underpasses are falling into unbelievable disrepair and are rather gross, terrifying places to pass through at any time of the day," he said.

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More thanthan 42,000 pedestrians use the underpasseseach weekday, according to the city, but many report feeling uncomfortable or unsafe in them, particularly at night.

The report going before a city committee on Friday highlightsthe "deteriorating condition" of the Fourth Street S.W. underpass, in particular,and "perceived safety concerns" surrounding it.

Winning design of 'animated light'

After considering several design concepts and seeking public feedback, the city opted to go with a proposalfromMarc Boutin Architectural Collaborative andartist Krzysztof Wodiezko.

"The introduction of animated light and colour, responding to the flow of people through the space, ensures the redesign remains evocative, varied and timeless," reads a description of the concept from the architecturefirm.

The plan is for construction to start later this summer.

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