RAM - Royal Alberta Museum

[Coldrsx]

A gem of a building design-wise and nothing to be found?

---

We don't need more 'green spaces' there... but imagine a bunch of brownstones similar to Rossdale with a little coffee shop and maybe a little restaurant over looking the valley for all to enjoy.

[Rocket252]

^ no money, imagination, or the ability to repurpose in this city.

Disappointing as usual.

[Black Star]

Some great memories going there as a kid. A very bad decision to tear it down. It could have been repurposed into so many things...argh.

[Hallsy's Toupee]

It sucks that we're losing the old RAM. On the other hand, why don't we use this opportunity to transform it into a provincial park that is similar to the other parks in the river valley (Hawrelak Park, Kinsman Park, Louise McKinney Park, etc) and could feature things that the other parks seem to lack, such as a beach.

[Hardhatdan]

Originally Posted by Rocket252

^ no money, imagination, or the ability to repurpose in this city.

Disappointing as usual.

What do you mean? It's yet another provincial decision. Lots of provincial money for a new hockey rink, hospitals, etc. In Calgary though.

Edmonton...

[Hardhatdan]

Originally Posted by Hallsy's Toupee

It sucks that we're losing the old RAM. On the other hand, why don't we use this opportunity to transform it into a provincial park that is similar to the other parks in the river valley (Hawrelak Park, Kinsman Park, Louise McKinney Park, etc) and could feature things that the other parks seem to lack, such as a beach.

Edmonton doesn't lack parks along the river... Edmonton lacks interesting public gathering places.

[Harrison]

Originally Posted by Hardhatdan

What do you mean? It's yet another provincial decision. Lots of provincial money for a new hockey rink, hospitals, etc. In Calgary though.

Edmonton...

Yup, this is all on the Province/UCP, they are the reason it's getting demolished.

Blame them.

[s211]

Originally Posted by Coldrsx

A gem of a building design-wise and nothing to be found?

---

We don't need more 'green spaces' there... but imagine a bunch of brownstones similar to Rossdale with a little coffee shop and maybe a little restaurant over looking the valley for all to enjoy.

I have to agree with you on that. A hard to access park in that spot would probably be under used.

Edmonton already has a wealth of great but under used park spaces.

[Rocket252]

Originally Posted by Harrison

Yup, this is all on the Province/UCP, they are the reason it's getting demolished.

Blame them.

Why does it have to be the government initiating this. They have no vision.

I am talking about private investment with a vision to repurpose this building and develop something specisl. Never happened with the remand center or Northlands coliseum either.

[Rocket252]

Originally Posted by Harrison

Yup, this is all on the Province/UCP, they are the reason it's getting demolished.

Blame them.

Why does it have to be the government initiating this. They have no vision.

I am talking about private investment with a vision to repurpose this building and develop something special. Never happened with the remand center or Northlands coliseum either.

[Harrison]

Originally Posted by Rocket252

Why does it have to be the government initiating this. They have no vision.

I am talking about private investment with a vision to repurpose this building and develop something special. Never happened with the remand center or Northlands coliseum either.

Because there would be no 'easy money' in the venture, which is typically the prerequisite for private investment interest.

[Hardhatdan]

Originally Posted by Rocket252

Why does it have to be the government initiating this. They have no vision.

I am talking about private investment with a vision to repurpose this building and develop something specisl. Never happened with the remand center or Northlands coliseum either.

They own the building and the land.

[Rocket252]

Originally Posted by Hardhatdan

They own the building and the land.

Sell the building to someone who will repurpose.

I assume this is an option.

[Rocket252]

^ Sounds like the U of A approached the government looking to use the old RAM for all its exhibits.

The government at the time rejected it.

[Harrison]

Originally Posted by Rocket252

^ Sounds like the U of A approached the government looking to use the old RAM for all its exhibits.

The government at the time rejected it.

Really? That would've been an ideal use tbh

[Hallsy's Toupee]

Originally Posted by Rocket252

^ Sounds like the U of A approached the government looking to use the old RAM for all its exhibits.

The government at the time rejected it.

If I understand correctly, it was the Progressive Conservative government under Premier Alison Redford who rejected it.

I can't help but wonder if the NDP government under Premier Rachel Notley also rejected it?

[Rocket252]

The University of Alberta approached the province with a proposal to take over the empty space at the museum. They wanted to utilize the museum buildings to display the many U of A artifacts which are currently spread all over the campus in multiple locations. The province, led by Alison Redford, completely rejected the U of A proposal, giving it no consideration whatsoever.

I could not find a reason for this decision but it sounded like a good repurposing of the building.

There as also discussion of creating an indigenous museum but that did not go ahead either.

Both wasted opportunities and now we come to a point where again demolition instead of repurposing occurs.

My thoughts go back to the old city court house and when it was demolished. What a waste.
https://edmonton.skyrisecities.com/n...-history.26009