Bowness residents watch as rezoning, construction changes community around them [Video]

In the northwest Calgary community of Bowness, single-family homes are making way for multi-family apartments and row houses.

Dee Allen lives on Bowwood Road, where rezoning and construction are visible from blocks away in either direction.

Allen has witnessed the changes from her front porch, observing the demolition of houses across from her on Bowwood Drive to accommodate new developments.

“It’s like losing a good friend,” Allen said about the loss of her community’s original charm.

The redevelopment has sparked mixed reactions among Bowness residents.

Some, like Jesse Murphy, who resides in a new row house, welcome the change, as it provides much-needed housing.

“These big, multi-family units, as soon as it’s done, it’s full,” Murphy said.

“I don’t know where all these people were living before, but … this is necessary.”

Others like Allen fear the loss of the community’s identity.

“This isn’t progress. It’s going backwards,” Allen said.

“This is going backwards. We’re going to lose our community, and it’s so precious.”

Alkarim Devani, co-founder …