Saving a piece of city’s history comes at a price
City says historic aviation building might be too costly to maintain
Edmonton heritage supporters are urging city officials to put history ahead of money and preserve Blatchford’s deteriorating Hangar 11. The 1942 hangar built by the United States Army Air Force would need between $14 million and $20 million for full restoration, according to a report city councillors will discuss Monday.
But the Edmonton Heritage Council is adamant the significance of the structure to aviation history outweighs the financial burden.
“We have to say, what are the possibilities here,” executive director David Ridley said. “We’re a city that doesn’t care enough in making (historic buildings) part of the cityscape. Here’s an opportunity in Blatchford where it can really be anchored as a significant part.”
The 7,400-square-metre building is the last remaining Second World War hangar on the former City Centre Airport site and is listed on the city’s historic resources inventory.
But with the building’s condition declining, Mayor Don Iveson said saving it presents significant challenges.
“We’d have to drastically alter our development plans and we would have to invest considerable money,” he told reporters Sunday.
“Quite frankly, our resources are very tight right now, and if it compromises both the profitability of the Blatchford development and comes with an additional cost, it may not be possible.”
The building would require updated mechanical and electrical systems, roof replacement and redevelopment of office wings that have endured “extensive moisture-related issues,” the report says.
Hangar 11 is also located on land that NAIT is looking to purchase from the city for campus expansion.
The report says NAIT is interested in 1.2 hectares clear of buildings, and if the hangar were retained the expansion plans would need to be adjusted.
Coun. Bev Esslinger, whose ward includes the area, said she is interested in hearing about the possibility of relocating at least part of the building.
“Nobody wants to tear down a historic resource,” she said. “It has a history in the city, and if we can’t maintain it on-site, can you rebuild it somewhere else? I don’t know.”
Esslinger agreed with Iveson that restoration costs might be too high in a tough budget. The city doesn’t have any funding committed to the rehabilitation or future reuse of the building.
A detailed study to look at ways of using the hangar would cost $150,000 to $200,000. The most likely option would be a public amenity space as part of the Blatchford redevelopment, the report says.
Assessing the building condition and reuse options is one of three scenarios the city administration is bringing forward to committee.
It has a history in the city, and if we can’t maintain it on-site, can you rebuild it somewhere else? I don’t know.
This would mean delaying a decision about what to do with the building for approximately one year, forcing NAIT to put off determining whether to acquire the site or pursue an alternate location.
This option is the “best case scenario,” according to Esslinger, allowing the city to thoroughly look into all the implications.
Tearing down Hangar 11 is another scenario being presented, with demolition of the building being a condition of selling the property to NAIT.
The final option is keeping the hangar, which the heritage council’s Ridley said would be his choice. “There’s some great possibility here,” he said. “Let’s not let this essential Edmonton story slip away with the stroke of a pen.”