More than a decade after the devastating 2013 Calgary flood, the Alberta government is preparing to sell up to 17 properties it purchased from homeowners in the aftermath. The lots, located in Roxboro, Rideau Park, and Elbow Park, were acquired after the province offered to buy out flood-damaged homes at risk of future disasters. The houses were demolished years ago, leaving behind empty plots maintained by the province. CBC News reports that the City of Calgary will be given the first opportunity to buy the land at appraised value before the lots are opened to the public.
The move comes after the completion of the Springbank off-stream reservoir, a major project designed to reduce the risk of future flooding along the Elbow River. Alberta Infrastructure confirmed that once preliminary work and approvals are finished, sales could begin early next year. City officials said they will evaluate the listings once they are formally provided, though they declined to comment on potential purchases before the process begins. If the city does not buy the land, the properties will be made available to private buyers.
Some officials and residents are divided on how the lots should be used. Calgary councillor Gian-Carlo Carra, who represented the ward during the 2013 disaster, argued that the land would serve the community better as housing rather than small park spaces squeezed between private lots. While some residents have voiced concerns about density projects such as townhomes or condos, Carra believes market demand will push the properties toward high-value single-family homes with premium access to the river. He also criticized the original provincial buyouts, calling them “welfare for wealthy people” and arguing that funding should have gone toward flood-prevention projects.
Community advocates, however, are calling for a different approach. Tony Morris, a longtime Roxboro resident and co-founder of the Calgary River Communities Action Group, said his organization has consistently pushed for the neighbourhoods to be restored to their pre-flood character. He argued that the properties should be sold directly to private buyers who want to reintegrate into the community, rather than forcing taxpayers to effectively pay twice through city purchases. For Morris and others, restoring the lost homes represents not just rebuilding property but also preserving the social fabric of riverfront communities.
The looming sales highlight the broader challenge Calgary faces in balancing redevelopment, community expectations, and flood preparedness. While major infrastructure projects like the Springbank Reservoir provide some protection, residents remain aware of the risks. As Morris pointed out, future flooding is not a matter of if but when, raising questions about whether governments should prioritize returning land to residential use or safeguarding against repeat disasters. What is clear is that after 12 years, the fate of these 17 properties has become a test of how Calgary rebuilds and adapts in an era of climate-driven extreme weather.