The company behind Rogers Place and the ICE District announced Wednesday that ownership of the historic MacDonald Lofts building will soon be transferred to them – news that came as a shock to some long-time residents.
ICE District Joint Venture announced it had entered into an agreement to take over ownership of the property; the building is more than a century old, and stands north of Rogers Place.
Resident Shirley Boyechko found out Wednesday morning with a note explaining the situation, for her, it sparked uncertainty.
“I’m kinda scared, like the ICE Venture, what are they going to do here?” Boyechko said.
The building is more than 100 years old, and is recognized as an historic building.
Boyechko told CTV News she had been homeless in the past, and loved living in the building.
A spokesperson for the Katz Group said the building isn’t going anywhere.
“We can’t redevelop the land, we have to be mindful of the historic designation we have no redevelopment plans for the site,” Glen Scott, with the Katz Group said.
It’s expected the transaction will take place at the end of November, ICE District officials said the condition of the building isn’t clear, and won’t be known until after the sale is finished.
The statement released Wednesday said early investigations suggest the property may have to be vacated to make way for repairs to be carried out, and to resolve public health issues.
Recently, the building has been hit with infestations of bedbugs and cockroaches, and flooding from a nearby sewer. Alberta Health said the building continues to be the subject of health concerns.
If the building needs to be vacated, ICE District officials said it will work with social agencies to find housing for people affected.
With files from David Ewasuk
