A neighborhood in Edmonton’s downtown is about to get greener as a historic building overlooking the North Saskatchewan River is facing demolition.
The former Royal Alberta Museum in Edmonton’s Glenora neighborhood is being demolished and the government is looking towards a new green space to take it’s place.
The building was built in 1965 and opened in 1967 as part of the federal government’s Confederation Memorial Centennial Program, but has been vacant since 2015.
When the new RAM was under construction in Edmonton’s downtown, the public was notified of “significant issues” with the old building.
Although the possibility of repurposing the museum building was brought forward, it was deemed too costly.
The Government House and Carriage House will remain on the site, however the main facility is set to be demolished to make way for a green space where residents can gather.
“The old Royal Alberta Museum building has been a part of our province for decades, and we know many Albertans have happy memories and sentimental stories from visits there,” said Pete Guthrie, minister of infrastructure. “The green space we’re planning will give residents and visitors the opportunity to create new memories in one of the nicest areas in Edmonton.”
The Alberta government is reaching out to the public for their say in the matter on what they would like to see in the new space. Alberta Infrastructure is working with Indigenous communities in addition to public consultation.
The National Trust for Canada has placed it on their “Top Ten Endangered Places List.”
Edmontonians can have their say through an online survey form that closes August 30, 2024.
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