Advocacy

Plus 15 Hours of Operation

The Issue: Over the course of the past few months, BOMA, the Calgary Downtown Association and the City of Calgary have been working together to make the city's +15 system work better. On of the issues is the hours of operations. Currently there are about 6 to 7 groups of operating hours that can be very confusing for the public as well as building owners. After considering several scenarios, it was agreed to temporarily reduce the hours of operation form the 24 hours of operation clause contained in the Development Agreements to two groups.

The first group would be applied globally throughout the system and would be considered the minimum hours that all buildings connect to the +15 System would be obligated to adhere. (See Map pdf) The proposal a minimum of: (Secondary Zone)

7:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.. - Monday through Friday

The Second grouping will be an extension of the above referenced hours for the segment of the System commencing at the Sheraton Plaza Suites south to Gulf Canada Square, west to the Centennial Parkade, and east to the Bay. The proposal is that these minimum hours would be: (Primary Zone)

7:00 a.m. to Midnight. - Monday through Sunday

The hours of operation will be posted on each and every door through the System along with a phone number at the City the public may call should they experience any difficulties with doors being locked or any other concerns or questions pertaining to the +15 System.

Your co-operation with the program will be appreciated.

BOMA' Position: BOMA supports the concept of standardized hours. BOMA extends its support to this concept with the stipulation that there be effective communication and signage in the Plus 15 to make users aware of the operating hours, that there be a contact number, and that improvements directional signs be made immediately to facilitate utility of the system. BOMA further stipulates that there be a Plus 15 Committee struck and that the Committee be comprised of BOMA members, The City Planning Department, and other stakeholder representatives. The mandate of the committee should be to deal with on-going operational issues such as hours of use, signs, security, activities, and the like. BOMA recognizes that the Plus 15 is a dynamic network and it will be necessary to make adjustments in operating hours policy, and that committee should be the vehicle to facilitate these changes.