Beltline pub owner releases 'Death Sentence' beer to protest Green Line at-grade alignment

Geoff Allan, co-owner of Bottlescrew Bill's Pub and chair of the Victoria Park Business Improvement Area, released a nine per cent imperial stout called "Death Sentence" this week in response to city councillors' endorsement of a surface-level Green Line LRT alignment along 10th Avenue S.W.

Allan accompanied the beer release with a social media video arguing that upcoming Green Line construction will shut down bars and kill nightlife along the corridor. "Come and have a beer while you still can, because once construction starts, you might not get the chance," he said in the message.

City council's executive committee endorsed the 10th Avenue alignment on Tuesday in a 12–1 vote. The alignment still requires ratification at a regular council meeting and backing from provincial and federal governments, which are co-funding the $6.24 billion project. As of Friday, neither provincial nor federal government had commented on the proposal.

The proposed station would be surface-level on 10th Avenue between 1st and 2nd streets S.W., positioned directly next to Bottlescrew Bill's. Councillors argued the surface-level track is the only option that fits within the current $6.24 billion budget.

"This exploration of 10th Avenue is just a way to make sure that we set ourselves up to potentially do downtown in a way that will function going forward, while delivering as far into the greater downtown area as we can," said Ward 7 Councillor Myke Atkinson. He also stated during the committee meeting that building an elevated Green Line would be a "downtown killer."

Allan disputes the premise. He argues there is not enough room on 10th Avenue for both vehicular lanes and a two-way CTrain line, and that the proposed terminus would not connect to existing Red and Blue Lines—a condition he says is required by the provincial government to contribute funding.

The proposed alignment also requires two at-grade crossings over Macleod Trail, which Allan contends will worsen traffic congestion. He acknowledged the street-level train would be "marginally" better for Beltline businesses than an elevated track, but said he is concerned construction will last for years and devastate the pub's customer base.

"I think past city councils and everyone can agree that we did Calgary wrong by not burying it. We're going to do it again 50 years later? Isn't that the definition of insanity, to do the same thing and expect a different result?" Allan said.