More than 100 residents of The Verve Condominiums in Calgary's East Village are being forced to vacate their secure underground parking spaces for four months to accommodate construction of an adjacent residential project, raising safety and financial concerns.
Short notice and limited options
Residents say they received less than 20 days' notice—a June 17 request from property manager First Residential to vacate by June 29. Many describe the timeline as unreasonable, limiting their ability to find alternative parking.
Kruti Sutaria, a flight attendant and Verve owner, called the situation extremely stressful. “I’m worried about my car getting broken into, worried about going to work. I’ve actually been dropping shifts and trying to get things covered,” she said.
Compensation deemed insufficient
Residents were offered $275 per month as compensation, but they argue it falls short of actual parking costs. The nearby Alt Hotel charges $340 monthly for parking, while the Superstore lot—considered the least safe—is cheaper but exposes vehicles to theft and weather damage.
“That is pretty shocking for titled secured underground parking owners,” said resident Joel Muir. “You’re completely out of luck if something happens to your car.”
Safety fears in high-crime area
The Verve building sits beside the Riff, East Village's pedestrian corridor for large events like the Stampede Parade, which compounds parking scarcity. Resident Ryan Zerr noted he uses his car infrequently, heightening concerns about hail damage during peak season and security in an area with multiple break-ins and thefts.
Sutaria added she dreads walking four blocks from the Superstore lot at odd hours for her flight attendant shifts. “I don’t feel comfortable walking four blocks from Superstore, which is the closest underground secure parking to my home,” she said.
Project details and developer response
The construction is for the Vibe, a 13-storey, 218-unit mixed-use development led by Slokker Homes—the same developer behind the Verve. The Vibe is slated for completion in 2028 and will include six commercial storefronts. Residents were informed years in advance of the project, but the specific parking disruption timeline came as a surprise.
According to the developer, the parking closure is necessary for excavation and foundation work. Affected residents are exploring options, but many feel the compensation and alternatives are inadequate for the four-month duration.
