By Geoff Smith (@GeoffSmithLNN on Twitter)

City celebrates decade of municipal historic resources

Nov 13, 2018 | 11:43 AM

LETHBRIDGE – It was ten years ago that Lethbridge designated its first two Municipal Historic Resources.

In the decade since, another two dozen have been added. But it all began Nov. 10, 2008, when the city bestowed the designation on the Annandale Residence at 1280 – 4 Ave. S. and the Spudnuts Shop at 1102 – 5 Ave. S.

Community planner Robert McKay says unlike a provincially-designated site like the Nikka Yuko Japanese Gardens or a federal site like the J.D. Higenbotham Building (the downtown post office), a municipal designation honours someone of local significance in southern Alberta, i.e. a former mayor.

“It basically means that it’s acknowledged that it’s important in either the history of Canada, the province of Alberta, or the city of Lethbridge. And there’s usually some significant events or personalities that have either been born there or lived there,” he explained.

The process requires the owner’s consent – and in fact, typically begins with a request from the owner.

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“Then, when it’s designated, there’s certain features of the building that are identified and they cannot be altered or taken down without the permission of the City of Lethbridge Historic Places Committee,” McKay said, adding they try to work together to their mutual benefit. McKay said in fact, studies from the U.S. indicate it leads to an increase in the property’s value.

Restrictions to the property are added to the title. McKay explained it is possible for a buyer to have the designation withdrawn. But he’s not aware of it ever happening in Lethbridge. They also work to try to preserve a building that falls into disrepair.

“I think the greatest thing… is that the province of Alberta has experts in restoring old buildings, and we put them in touch with those experts and they try to find a way of keeping the building stable and safe,” he said. The owner and province share the costs 50-50 through a grant program.

The designation often seeks to preserve specific features of a building. For example, the Spudnuts Shop – one of those two initial properties – has significance as the one-time home of the Lethbridge Conservatory of Music, as well as in its architectural design and its location. But the status also protects features like the Spudnuts signs, which might otherwise have been designated for the trash heap following the demise of the original franchising company.

“Spudnuts are a treasure. Many people have raised their children, and grandparents have really delighted in having Spudnuts. It’s a local delicacy,” McKay said.