49C Avenue in Lacombe. (Google Maps)

By Josh Hall | @Vancan19

work to be done this year

Lacombe adopts new plan to upgrade downtown pedestrian plaza on 49C Avenue

Mar 26, 2025 | 12:59 PM

Lacombe city council has endorsed an updated plan to redevelop 49C (Allan) Avenue into a pedestrian plaza in the centre of downtown.

The new plan will be completed in one phase and includes street lighting, paving stones, accessible seating, and modifications to the Highway 2A parking lot to permit access from 49B Avenue.

“Lacombe city council is excited to see the redevelopment of this underutilized space move forward,” Mayor Grant Creasey said in a release. “Credit should be given to the DARP committee for recognizing barriers to the original vision and pivoting accordingly. The updated 49C pedestrian plaza will surely bring community together for years to come.”

The updated plaza will increase the 2025 budget by $600,000, and remove the same amount from the 2027 and 2028 budgets. Plans to permanently close 49C Avenue are not included in the project budget.

In 2024, council allocated $850,000 for phase one and $600,000 for phase two. The budget includes $200,000 in grant money from the Provincial Northern and Regional Economic Development Program.

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Two nearby restaurants expressed support for the project, via letters which were included in the March 24 council agenda.

49C Avenue pedestrian plaza blueprints. (City of Lacombe)

Highlights of the updated plan for 49C include:

• Crosswalk Improvements

• Concrete paving stones

• Decorative street lighting

• Additional seating options

• Parking lot reconfiguration

• Fifteen additional parking stalls

• Improved access for local businesses 5432 56th Avenue Lacombe, AB T4L 1E9 (403) 782-6666 www.lacombe.ca.

Construction is scheduled to begin and be completed in 2025. For more information on DARP Priority projects, visit Lacombe.ca/DARP.

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