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Amid a glut of empty skyscrapers in Calgary’s core, two inner-city councillors want to “look at every possible option to strengthen downtown.”

Nearly one-third of downtown office space is vacant, a major issue impacting everything from parking to transit to taxes, with the busy city centre previously generating 40 per cent of non-residential tax revenue and 25 per cent of city-wide employment.

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In response, Councillors Druh Farrell and Evan Woolley want the city to work with Calgary Economic Development to organize a one-day economic summit to toss around ideas to breathe new life into downtown now and into the future.

That could include long-term fixes like repurposing empty offices into incubator spaces or residential housing, making changes to the public realm or even tearing down empty, neglected buildings.

The record-high vacancy rate in the core amid continued economic gloom has caused a redistribution of non-residential taxes that will see many suburban business owners slapped with significant tax increases this year to make up for the $4 billion drop in the assessed value of downtown offices.