Plan for expanded downtown arena could put century-old building on ice

An unassuming building many Calgarians have likely passed by dozens of times to and from events at the Stampede could soon be in jeopardy.

The Stephenson and Company grocery building opened in 1911 at the corner of Fifth Street and 13th Avenue S.E. 

It served the residential neighbourhood as a store and a post office across eight decades.

But since the city revised its plan for a new downtown arena by expanding its footprint, the Stephenson block is now in the path of the new sports and entertainment facility.

The two story red brick building doesn't have designated heritage status which would protect it. However, it is one of only a handful of original buildings still standing in Victoria Park.

Under threat

The CEO of Heritage Calgary, Josh Traptow, said he hopes a way can be found to save it.

"I would not want to see it demolished at all. It's the last really commercial building here in Victoria Park," said Traptow.

"Demolition will be the absolute last option and really is non-negotiable."

He said that leaves options like disassembling it so it can be rebuilt somewhere else or somehow incorporating it into the new arena's design. 

If the building is moved, Traptow suggested keeping it close to its original site.

"It is the last case scenario to move something because when you move something, it loses the context of the community that it's in. But sometimes that has to be done."

The Stephenson block is currently owned by the Calgary Stampede, added to its holdings when it acquired the site from the city in the early 2000s.

City will look at options

As part of its arena plans, the city intends to reacquire the site.

When asked about the building's future, the City of Calgary would only issue a statement.

"Discussions are still underway to finalize the definitive agreements for the projects. But once those are finalized, we'll be in a better position to understand the options for the building's future."

Traptow said his organization has not yet held any talks with the city on what might happen to the buildling.

"It's still early in the days of the arena so I think we'll continue to have those conversations with the city but we'll very much be advocating for its adaptive re-use," he said.

The city's heritage inventory website states the wood frame building with brick cladding features a traditional storefront with a recessed entry and a residential unit on its upper floor.

Decades ago, the store manager and his family resided upstairs.

It was still an active store into the 1990s and had numerous owners over the past 112 years.