Image of the property at 532 South Railway St. included by staff in a report to council. (City of Medicine Hat)

By Eli J. Ridder | @EliRidder

Staff recommend selling former food bank property for likely demolition

Dec 6, 2023 | 11:55 AM

MEDICINE HAT, AB – A city committee on Thursday will hear a recommendation to sell the former home of the food bank with the assumption that the buyer would demolish it.

The city acquired the building at 532 South Railway St. for $500,000 from the Medicine Hat and District Food Bank Association in 2020, according to a staff report.

The purchase was part of a transaction approved by council that saw the food bank move into its current location for $1.3 million.

The building has served “numerous purposes” that staff said puts a limit on its marketability. Its mechanical systems were also recently rated as poor despite being in a structurally fair condition.

An assessment in 2020 found the cost of a hazardous materials abatement would cost $238,400.

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Periodic showings of the property by city staff based on ad hoc interest and through reaching out to prospective buyers has not resulted in any formal offer.

Given the condition of the building and the cost of the abatement, staff have recommended it’s sold as an “as is, where is” basis and anticipate the buyer would demolish the building.

The recommended sale price is $249,900.

The report is expected to come forward at the Dec. 18 city council meeting.