Conditional sale for landmark buildings at Second Street and Sixth Avenue downtown. (Photo Courtesy Bob Schneider)

By Brian Konrad

'Right building, right place, right time'

Century-old buildings downtown could see redevelopment

Apr 13, 2022 | 12:27 PM

MEDICINE HAT, AB — A trio of historical properties in downtown Medicine Hat could soon have new ownership.

The buildings at Second Street and Sixth Avenue downtown date back more than 100 years.

They’ve housed a variety of commercial businesses in the last century, and came onto the market after the passing of local businessman and colourful personality Floyd Ronan.

Shane Garner is an associate with commercial realtor Avison Young, and says there’s a conditional sale that would see the potential new owner maintaining the historical nature of the landmarks, but also taking them into the 21st century.

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“The plan is relatively the same amongst the interested parties, which is some sort of redevelopment with keeping the historical preservation of the building itself, especially for the exterior side of things,” says Garner.

He adds the building needs to be upgraded on the interior as the mechanical system is outdated.

Garner says it remains the right building, in the right place at the right time, because it is so unique and it’s in the downtown core where other heritage buildings have already been upgraded.

Since the buildings went on the market, Garner has heard lots of stories about Floyd Ronan and from people with a connection to the buildings.

Invest Medicine Hat and the Heritage Resources Working Group with the city have been able to offer assistance to the potential new owner with regard to grants that might be available to help with the redevelopment and preservation of these landmark buildings.

The conditional sale could be complete near the end of June.