(rdnewsNOW/Josh Hall)

By Josh Hall | @Vancan19

future use uncertain

Downtown building removed, but fire-ravaged property next door remains

May 18, 2024 | 10:43 AM

Downtown Red Deer has a new empty plot of land, but it’s raising more questions about the property adjacent.

The building at 4907 48 Street — sandwiched between a Servus Credit Union branch on one side, and a long-fire-damaged building on the other — was demolished earlier this week.

Erin Stuart, the City’s Inspections and Licensing Manager, says permits were obtained, but the reasons for removal were not disclosed.

(rdnewsNOW/Josh Hall)

“In cases where there are buildings that are underutilized, it may make sense to demolish a building. In this case, we don’t know what the interior of the building was like,” says Stuart, who can’t disclose the owner.

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She does note that Bettensons Sand & Gravel was the permit applicant, but they are the company which did the demolishing, and are not the property owner.

Until this week, the building had an awning for an alternative health care clinic, but it’s not known when the last time that business had its doors open.

“Ideally, at some point, we would like to see these kinds of lots developed with some type of commercial or residential property on them,” Stuart continues.

So what about the property next door that has been boarded up for ages following a fire in October 2021?

Last summer, rdnewsNOW reported that the City had issued an order through the Municipal Government Act to the property owner of that building, to fix up its appearance.

The now-empty 4907 48 Street and its fire-damaged neighbour are seen here in May 2024. The fire occurred at the building on the right in October 2021. (rdnewsNOW/Josh Hall)

The owner had until Jan. 2, 2024 to comply, “which they clearly have not,” says Stuart.

The order included removal of the burnt out awning and replacing stucco on the exterior, which would bring it up to criteria in the Community Standards Bylaw.

“In instances of non-compliance, the City then has to go in and do the work associated with the exterior and aesthetic of the building. We’re currently in that enforcement process,” she says.

Stuart says the City is not aware of what the inside looks like, but clarifies that’s not the City’s concern at this juncture.

Once the exterior is dealt with, it could sit empty and boarded up indefinitely because it’s a privately-owned property, she says.

“Our job is to mitigate any impacts to adjacent properties,” says Stuart. “It won’t have to go back to court, but we are able to go and do that work — it’s just a matter of scheduling it.”

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