Council designates Oliver Block a Municipal Historic Resource

If you take a drive down 5th St in Downtown Lethbridge you might notice the Oliver Block building. It was constructed in 1900 and was in disrepair just a few years ago as it was set to be torn down, paving the way for a parking lot. In 2017, the building was bought and underwent a massive rebuild. The owner of the Oliver Block, Hunter Heggie, says he wants city council to designate the building as a Municipal Historic Resource. Council voted unanimously 8-0 with the bylaw passing second and third reading.

“The Historic Places Advisory Committee have researched and evaluated the property and passed the motion to recommend to City Council. That was brought to council to initiate the designation process with a notice of intent to designate. There has to be a 60-day waiting period under the Historical Resources Act that has passed and this is why we’re here today to grant this bylaw,” says Councillor Mark Campbell.

There will be no financial cost to the city to designate Oliver Block as a historic site. Since 2007, City Council has designated 28 historic places within Lethbridge as Municipal Historic Resources.