Eau Claire, Calgary

For other uses, see Eau Claire (disambiguation).

Eau Claire
Neighbourhood
Festival plaza in Eau Claire
Eau Claire Location of Eau Claire in Calgary
Coordinates:
Country	Canada
Province	Alberta
City	Calgary
Quadrant	SW
Ward	7
Established	1885
Government
• Mayor	Naheed Nenshi
• Administrative body	Calgary City Council
• Councillor	Druh Farrell
Area
• Total	0.4 km2 (0.2 sq mi)
Elevation	1,045 m (3,428 ft)
Population (2006)
• Total	1,717
• Average Income	$80,210
Website	Eau Claire Community Association

The neighbourhood of Eau Claire in Calgary, Alberta, Canada is located immediately north of Downtown, and south of the Bow River and north of 4th Avenue. A mix of riverside condominiums, shopping, restaurants, hotels, a large public plaza and urban parkland make Eau Claire one of Calgary's most popular areas. Contained within Eau Claire is the city's Festival District.

The area, which was developed from reclaimed industrial land, fronts the Bow River and sits immediately north of 3rd Avenue South. North of Eau Claire is Prince's Island Park, a large urban park on an island in the Bow River and the site of many summer festivals, including the Calgary Folk Music Festival, Carifest, Shakespeare in the Park and various busking happenings. Within Eau Claire is Eau Claire Market and a variety of pubs and restaurants. It is also located on the city's large network of pedestrian pathways and trails, along the Bow River pathway.

History

The name Eau Claire derives from one of Calgary's original industries - a sawmill transplanted from Eau Claire, Wisconsin and staffed by mostly Norwegian mill workers. The area on the banks of the Bow River was selected in 1886 for its easy access to fallen timber. The community was subsequently named for the Eau Claire Lumber Company.

Eau Claire Plaza, at the core of the Festival District is currently undergoing a major modernization and redevelopment to better integrate it with the city, Prince's Island, Eau Claire Market, Barclay Mall and the other surrounding hotels, restaurants and businesses. The community has an area redevelopment plan in place.

Demographics

In the City of Calgary's 2012 municipal census, Eau Claire had a population of 1,851 living in 1,328 dwellings, an 8.2% increase from its 2011 population of 1,711. With a land area of 0.5 km² (0.19 sq mi), it had a population density of 3,700/km² (9,600/sq mi) in 2012.

Residents in this community had a median household income of $80,210 in 2000, and there were 21.8% low income residents living in the neighbourhood. As of 2000, 32.7% of the residents were immigrants. A proportion of 98% of the buildings were condominiums or apartments, and 38.7% of the housing was used for renting.

It is represented in the Calgary City Council by the Ward 7 councillor.

Eau Claire Market

File:Eau Claire Market 4.jpg

Eau Claire Market

Eau Claire Market is the focal point of the neighbourhood. It sits immediately south of the Bow River and was built on former industrial land. The mall is home to several unique and "one of a kind" shops and galleries, a six screen Cineplex Odeon multiplex, a food court and several restaurants. To coincide with the reconfiguration of Eau Claire Plaza, plans are currently in development to demolish and completely rebuild the market which has declined in popularity in recent years. The new market will likely cater to a larger and more diverse demographic to better serve the residential community at large.

External links

• Eau Claire Community Association