Calgary's Ogden Block demolished for Green Line, ending a 113-year-old building
The building, once a boarding house for Chinese immigrants, is gone to make way for a future CTrain station.
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The Ogden Block, built in 1913 and known as Hong Lee Laundry, has been demolished to make way for a future Green Line CTrain station in Ogden. Demolition started Nov. 2 and is expected to take up to three weeks, bringing noise, dust and construction equipment to the area.
A temporary sidewalk closure is in place on the east side of Ogden Road S.E., with restricted on-street parking.
The building had been used as a boarding house for Chinese immigrants and later as residential and rental space. In May, the City of Calgary offered it for $1 with up to $50,000 toward relocation, and set a June 23 deadline for relocation proposals. The City said demolition was needed to keep the Green Line on schedule. Daily Hive described the building as a rare example of a Chinese-owned building outside Calgary's historic Chinatown.
Residents and heritage advocates are mourning the loss and calling for stronger protections for Calgary's historic places.
Did any relocation proposal reach the City before the June 23 deadline, and why did none succeed?
Did the building have heritage designation before demolition?
We'll update this story as answers emerge.
