By Josh Hall (Twitter: @Vancan19)

City tells province they want Parsons House left alone

Oct 19, 2018 | 8:30 PM

The fate of Parsons House in downtown Red Deer remains a mystery.

A spokesperson with Alberta Infrastructure says the final design for the new Red Deer Justice Centre is yet to be determined, so whether or not historic Parsons House will be left alone or demolished is also up in the air.

However, in a bid to protect the building, which was designated as a historical resource in 1990, The City of Red Deer has written a letter to province expressing their desire to let it be.

“We’ve made our opinion strongly to the province that the house should be preserved and the designation should be honoured, and that they accommodate it by designing the new building around it or linked with it,” says City Manager Craig Curtis. “We’ve had some discussions, done a tour of the building and it’s under discussion at the moment.”

Curtis admits the province could technically overrule The City’s zoning. 

DON'T WASTE IT

Lacombe encouraging residents to treat water as precious resource

5h ago

Ground School Training

New aviation career pathway elevates opportunities for students

14h ago

4-7 p.m. Wednesday

City to host downtown parking feedback session

16h ago

The discussion is an interesting one given that back in the early 80s, Snell House – at the corner of 48 Ave and Ross St. — was demolished so that the current Red Deer Courthouse could be constructed.

Curtis says that was also against council’s wishes, one difference being that Snell House was not designated as Parsons House is.

“Overall there is recognition that there are very few heritage buildings of that kind left in the city,” he adds. “It’s an important landmark in that respect and I just sincerely hope the design plans to accommodate it.”

In response to a follow-up by rdnewsNOW after past inquiries, Alberta Infrastructure says, “We know the future of Parsons House is important to the Red Deer community. Our government received the letter. We continue to engage The City in discussions on the Justice Centre project as a whole, including the future of Parsons House.”

Meanwhile, the ministry also confirms hazardous materials abatement was recently completed at the old RCMP building. The contract to demolish that building will be awarded this winter and demolition will follow shortly after in order to create more space for the Justice Centre at the corner of 48 Avenue and 49 Street.

The construction contract for the Justice Centre is expected to be awarded in late 2019, again, with construction commencing shortly thereafter.

The province bought Parsons House from its previous owners this past summer.