Former Royal Alberta Museum to be demolished, public input sought on future green space

For years now, nan erstwhile Royal Alberta Museum successful Edmonton has sat quiet and nan early of nan tract remained uncertain. While specifications still request to beryllium finalized, nan Alberta authorities announced Thursday that it plans to person nan tract into a caller greenish abstraction and it is seeking feedback from nan nationalist connected really to proceed.

“A new, welcoming greenish abstraction successful spot of nan erstwhile depository will adhd to nan serenity of Government House and Edmonton’s stream valley,” Arts, Culture and Status of Women Minister Tanya Fir said successful a news merchandise that revealed nan plans for nan tract successful nan Glenora neighbourhood.

In 2018, nan new Royal Alberta Museum opened successful downtown Edmonton. The aged building was built successful 1965 and closed successful 2015. On Thursday, nan provincial authorities confirmed nan aged depository will beryllium demolished while Government House and nan Carriage House will stay opinionated astatine nan site.

“The aged Royal Alberta Museum building has been a portion of our state for decades, and we cognize galore Albertans person happy memories and sentimental stories from visits there,” Infrastructure Minister Pete Guthrie acknowledged.

“The greenish abstraction we’re readying will springiness residents and visitors nan opportunity to create caller memories successful 1 of nan nicest areas successful Edmonton.”

The Alberta authorities has posted a study connected its website that Albertans tin capable retired to supply their thoughts connected what nan caller greenish abstraction should look like. People person until Aug. 30 to capable retired nan survey.

The authorities said Alberta Infrastructure is besides consulting pinch Indigenous communities connected nan plan.

The Alberta authorities estimates nan costs of demolishing nan aged RAM building will beryllium location betwixt $22 cardinal and $48 million.

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“This includes abatement, demolition, civilian useful and engineering,” officials said, “adding that nan costs of “deferred attraction connected nan building is estimated to beryllium $75 million.”

“The costs to repurpose nan building for different usage would person been astatine slightest $150 million, including nan deferred attraction cost.”

Officials said Alberta Infrastructure presently “absorbs complete $700,000 successful operating and attraction costs annually” for nan vacant building.