Room with a view
Private buyer sought for downtown landmark
“Ichoose me bristles with pride, yes, I do. A broom for the shaft and a brush for the flue. Up where the smoke is all billered and curled. ’Tween pavement and stars is the chimney sweep world.”
So sang Bert the happy chimney sweep in the Walt Disney classic “Mary Poppins.” No one can forget those rooftop scenes from early 20th century London in the film, the grand sweep and grandeur of the city below seen from an exclusive world almost unimagined, “‘Tween pavement and stars.”
Last week a few lucky staff members from the Herald got to capture some of that feeling with an exclusive tour of the rooftop of J.D. Higenbotham Federal Building and its amazing clock tower.
Built between 1912 and 1913 the century old structure has been designated as a local, provincial and federal
heritage building. As the federal government begins the process of seeking a private buyer for the landmark, and with the building expected to be formally listed for sale in the coming weeks, the Herald contacted Tom Corrigan (TC), regional communications adviser/ Western Region Public Services and Procurement Canada, to ask a few questions about the building’s importance, its history and its potential future.
Herald: What makes the federal building unique or special from your point of view?
TC: This building is over 100 years old, which is an exceptionally long lifespan, and continues to be in service as a location for federal programs and service. The domed clock tower and the copper roof are two of its distinctive heritage features.
Herald: The building is obviously a local landmark and historical treasure. What special challenges do you have as management to maintain a heritage structure such as this?
TC: The building has a federal heritage designation from the Federal Heritage Building Review Office, so any work performed must be carefully reviewed, to ensure heritage elements are preserved. This often brings unique challenges, such as the requirement to use specialized materials. All work is subject to approvals from Heritage Canada and Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC), and contractors must demonstrate they have the skills and experience in working with heritage assets.
Herald: The bell tower is a classic clockwork mechanism. How do you keep it running well and on time?
TC: Brookfield Global Integrated Solutions, the service provider who manages the building on behalf of PSPC, has a local Building Technician on staff, along with a qualified contractor, who are experts in ensuring the clock continues to run. Making sure it continues to keep accurate time on this downtown landmark is a key part of managing the building.
Herald: We have heard the building may be for sale. Is that true? Can you talk a little about the process involved in making such a sale?
TC: The Government of Canada declared the property to be surplus to its operational requirements. In accordance with federal policy, the building was offered first by PSPC to federal, provincial and municipal levels of government, at market value. As none of these parties had any interest in acquiring the building during this process, we are now finalizing plans to have it listed for public sale in the very near future.
It will be a condition of the sale that the purchaser enter into lease agreements with the remaining federal tenants. The sale of the building will not impact the services that federal departments deliver in the community. As the building will lose its federal heritage protection once sold, PSPC has worked with municipal and provincial authorities to ensure continued heritage protection. As a result, both the Province of Alberta and the City of Lethbridge have established heritage designations.
Herald: What is something surprising about the building which your average, everyday Lethbridge resident might not know about this historical gem in their midst?
TC: Although many buildings may be re-purposed as they age, the J.D. Higenbotham has continuously been the home of the downtown post office since it first opened over 100 years ago. It is also worth noting that it is one of only three remaining federal buildings in the Beaux Arts style of architecture.
It was built in 1912-13, based on the designs of Chief Architect David Ewart, and a modern addition was added in 1958. The building received a Go Green certification in December 2008 from the Building Operators and Management Association, and we strive to ensure its operations are as energy efficient as possible.
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