Calgary Downtown Association

Downtown Calgary operates under the legal entity of the Calgary Downtown Association (CDA), which was formed in 1988. CDA is a Business Revitalization Zone established under the Alberta's Municipal Government Act that represents 3,000 businesses in a 120-block area in the centre of the city. This area comprises over 50 million square feet of office, hotel, retail, restaurant, entertainment, attractions, cultural and government buildings. It was formed as a result of a petition by Downtown businesses in November 1988 and is funded primarily by a levy on the business taxes paid by Downtown businesses. Our ratepayers provide services and employment to the 120,000 to 145,000 workers who commute each day, to the approximately 20,000 people who make the downtown their home, and to visitors who come to Calgary to conduct business or as tourists. The CDA supports downtown businesses, acts as their voice and directs initiatives which increase the vitality of the downtown for all Calgarians, constantly improve the image of downtown.