Below-market housing to replace LRT parking lot in southeast Calgary

The City of Calgary is moving forward with plans to build a housing complex in place of a park-and-ride lot beside the Franklin LRT Station in the southeast.

Onward Homes has been selected to lead the Franklin Station Area Improvements Project, which will see about 350 housing units go up beside the transit stop.

The non-profit developer specializes in housing for low-income Calgarians, and said at least half of the units will be provided at below-market rates.

"These homes are just steps away from transit, from schools, from services and from a lot of employment centres," said Calgary Mayor Jyoti Gondek at a media availability on Wednesday.

"It will not only bring new homes, but it will also bring upgrades to public spaces, to pedestrian pathways and transit connections to create a safe, vibrant and walkable neighbourhood."

Onward Homes plans to build a mix of bachelor and one-to-three-bedroom units at the site, just south of Memorial Drive in Radisson Heights. 

The developer's board chair, Bryan Romanesky, said detailed design plans likely won't be finished until next year, but according to the city, they could include a pedestrian-focused plaza, public art and street furniture.

"This is the kind of place where a single mom can bring their kids to school and possibly go to work without needing a car," said Romanesky.

"Our clients generally don't have a car. So we always try to select sites that will give them the opportunity to walk to grocery stores, appointments and so on."

The developer owns and operates more than 30 buildings around Calgary. Some of its tenants who are in need of affordable housing.are referred by groups like the Canadian Mental Health Association.

Onward Homes operates some units designed to accommodate tenants living with brain injuries or people who need other accessibility supports.

City council approved a land-use change for the site last November following a public hearing.

The city has also gathered feedback on the project through an online survey and in-person events, but Onward Homes said it will launch its own engagement process in the coming months. 

"What we're creating here is going to be there for another 50 years, if not more," said Romanesky. "We want to make sure that we can bring to Calgarians something they'll be proud of."

The project is part of Calgary's Transit-Oriented Development program, which aims to make it easier for residents to use public transportation.

The redevelopment project is supported by $9.5 million from the federal Housing Accelerator Fund.

Onward Homes aims to start construction in either the second or third quarter of 2026. Once shovels hit the ground, Romanesky expects construction will take 14 to 20 months.