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News
by Maureen McNameeCity won’t save Grand Lougheed, but effort continues
The city dashed the hopes of those fighting to save the Lougheed Building and Grand Theatre from demolition when it voted this week not to designate the structure a historic site, but its supporters aren’t giving up.
Alison Robertson, the chairperson of the Save the Grand Lougheed Committee, says she wasn’t surprised by the decision because it was typical of the city. However, she takes some comfort in the fact it was lost in a tie vote and not by a large majority, which she considers progress.
"I think we are making progress – I have to believe that," she says, giving credit to those who have shown their support for the building, including more than 4,000 who signed a petition. "I think that comes from Calgarians speaking their minds on this."
The committee had initially asked the province to designate the Grand Lougheed a historic site, but it refused. Then the city repeated the request, and was also turned down. As a result, city council was faced with the option to designate the site itself at a hefty price tag estimated as high as $20 million – the city is required to compensate the owner when a building is designated, while the province is not – or allow it to be demolished to make way for an office tower.
However, Robertson says the city could have developed partnerships with other interested parties to reduce the cost.
"I think if they were supportive of this, people would come forward," she explains, adding that it’s an invaluable part of the city’s history.
"It’s a real treasure. You can’t really put a price tag on it, and I never thought you could."
The Lougheed Building and Grand Theatre, located at 1st Street and 5th Avenue S.W., was built in 1912 by Senator James Lougheed. The Grand is the oldest theatre in Calgary, and hosted many celebrities during its heyday.
The committee has been working to save the building for three years, and Robertson says it is planning to meet again to discuss the next step – which may include another attempt to meet with the the owners, Hanover Group.
"It just goes on and on," she adds.
maureen mcnamee
The city dashed the hopes of those fighting to save the Lougheed Building and Grand Theatre from demolition when it voted this week not to designate the structure a historic site, but its supporters aren’t giving up.
Alison Robertson, the chairperson of the Save the Grand Lougheed Committee, says she wasn’t surprised by the decision because it was typical of the city. However, she takes some comfort in the fact it was lost in a tie vote and not by a large majority, which she considers progress.
"I think we are making progress – I have to believe that," she says, giving credit to those who have shown their support for the building, including more than 4,000 who signed a petition. "I think that comes from Calgarians speaking their minds on this."
The committee had initially asked the province to designate the Grand Lougheed a historic site, but it refused. Then the city repeated the request, and was also turned down. As a result, city council was faced with the option to designate the site itself at a hefty price tag estimated as high as $20 million – the city is required to compensate the owner when a building is designated, while the province is not – or allow it to be demolished to make way for an office tower.
However, Robertson says the city could have developed partnerships with other interested parties to reduce the cost.
"I think if they were supportive of this, people would come forward," she explains, adding that it’s an invaluable part of the city’s history.
"It’s a real treasure. You can’t really put a price tag on it, and I never thought you could."
The Lougheed Building and Grand Theatre, located at 1st Street and 5th Avenue S.W., was built in 1912 by Senator James Lougheed. The Grand is the oldest theatre in Calgary, and hosted many celebrities during its heyday.
The committee has been working to save the building for three years, and Robertson says it is planning to meet again to discuss the next step – which may include another attempt to meet with the the owners, Hanover Group.
"It just goes on and on," she adds.
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