(City of Red Deer)

By Sheldon Spackman

Contract To Be Awarded

Demolition of Michener North buildings expected this spring

Feb 12, 2021 | 7:30 PM

Officials with the Alberta government anticipate awarding a contract next month for the abatement, demolition, and restoration of one of Red Deer’s most historical parcels of land.

Hadyn Place, Press Secretary for Minister of Infrastructure Prasad Panda, says the removal of buildings on the Michener North lands is expected to start this spring.

“The majority of the work is anticipated to be finished in mid-2022,” says Place. “Hazardous materials on site have added some complexity to the project. These materials will be safely addressed as part of the upcoming demolition.”

The boarded up and fenced-off Michener Centre buildings, located between 55 Street and Crossley Street, have been vacant since 2015 when remaining Michener residents were moved to the south site, or into group homes.

Last August The City of Red Deer entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Government of Alberta to provide for shared planning and consultation on the future land uses, including existing buildings and infrastructure on the Michener North lands.

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In November, the City announced its intentions to move forward with the acquisition of the Michener North lands, following demolition and reclamation by the province, to ensure the lands remained public. There is 132.2 acres of land in the area, which City officials say would serve as a future Red Deer destination legacy.

Emily Damberger, Manager of the City’s planning department, says land acquisition conversations remain ongoing.

“There’s background information that has to be reviewed and assessed by both parties before they come to a decision,” she explains.

Earlier this month, city council approved $10.1 million being set aside in this year’s capital budget for acquisition of the Michener North lands. The final price the City would pay for the land, however, has yet to be determined.

Located west of 30 Avenue and north of 55 Street behind Safety City, the Michener North lands have deep roots in Red Deer’s history, economy, park space and natural areas. Officials note its centralized location provides a place to reflect history, access the Waskasoo trail system, experience wildlife, and enjoy open outdoor spaces year round.

The intent, according to the City, is for the Michener North lands to be remediated and developed into protected public lands. Community consultation regarding its future use is planned once the City takes ownership.

“We have been working internally getting a team together to start those conversations when the time comes,” says Damberger. “We are looking to get the land decision in place prior to that as we wouldn’t want to get ahead of the game and have conversations when the land is not in the City’s control.”

City officials say a significant heritage assessment and cost analysis was carried out to review potential costs of refurbishing a building for a potential commemoration site. An estimated total cost of refurbishment was determined to be approximately $23 million and deemed cost prohibitive.

Previously in 2020, the City of Red Deer purchased the J.J. Gaetz House and the escarpment. Originally a private residence, the house became part of the Michener Centre in 1939 and was renovated for Michener Centre use.

The J.J. Gaetz House is currently a Municipal Designated Heritage Site under the Historic Resources Act, with the site itself potentially offering a future home for an interpretive visual history of the lands.