January 16, 2006
Re. LOC2005-0133 (801 12 Ave SW)
To: Dwayne Drobot, File Manager
Cc: Darryl Cariou, Heritage Planner
Ald. Madeleine King
Beltline Planning Group
Dear Mr. Drobot,
The Calgary Heritage Initiative strongly opposes LOC2005-0133 (801 12 Ave SW) redesignation to accommodate a highrise apartment. The proposed bylaw would facilitate the demolition of the landmark President Apartments, apparently for the expansion and redesign of the previously approved Renoir condominium project to the west. The President is an
architecturally and historically important building in the Beltline. It is
being considered for inclusion on the municipal inventory of potential
heritage sites, and has been researched by the Calgary Heritage Authority
(summary provided).
The President serves a landmark function on the corner of 7th Street and
12th Avenue SW, and contributes to a collection of important buildings in
the centre of the Beltline. On the 7th Street axis, this includes the recently renovated McArthur Furniture-Sherwin Williams warehouse (former Heaven's, now Royop head office), Wesley Church (Calgary Opera Centre), the McClung house and the Anderson Estates. On the 12th Avenue axis it includes Central High School, the Barnhart Apartments, the Lorraine, and Jack Long's modern Franklin House (Exud). The Lougheed House heritage area is nearby. The expected demolition of the original buildings across the intersection for the proposed Xenex project will make President's landmark heritage function even more prominent.
The previously approved (and marketed) Renoir project provides urban
density, and the retention of the next-door President provides urban
variety, which is equally supported by Blueprint for the Beltline and the
draft Beltline ARP. The President contributes in a meaningful way to the
character and heritage that is strongly supported by Beltline residents,
and so necessary for the Beltline to grow and mature as an interesting and
attractive urban community.
Heritage policy tools and incentives for the preservation and productive
use of the President are available to the owners, including density
transfer. The public interest, including municipal policy goals related to
heritage and Beltline development, are best served by retaining the
landmark President, while the Renoir project proceeds in the lots to the
west. We therefore ask that this land use application be refused.
Sincerely,
Chris Edwards and Kristi Johnson
for Janet Woolgar, Chair
Calgary Heritage Initiative
info@calgaryheritage.org
http://www.calgaryheritage.org