Saving History, One Building at a Time: The Fate of Calgary’s Ogden Block

The City of Calgary is grappling with a difficult decision: whether to preserve a 113-year-old building or make way for its Green Line project. At the center of this debate is Ogden Block, once home to Hong Lee Laundry and an 18-room boarding house that served as a hub for Chinese immigrants in early 20th-century Calgary.

Ogden Block’s history reflects the city’s diverse past. Built by Chinese immigrants in what was then a predominantly Anglo-Saxon community, it stands as one of the few remaining examples of a Chinese-owned building outside Calgary’s historic Chinatown district. According to the City of Calgary, relocating the building rather than demolishing it is part of its commitment to honoring the city’s unique stories and history.

However, this decision raises questions about what preservation means in the context of urban renewal projects. Is relocating a building truly saving it, or does it merely transplanting it to another location? Ward 9 Coun. Harrison Clark has proposed donating Ogden Block to a qualified party willing to relocate it, highlighting the tension between preserving history and making way for progress.

The $50,000 grant accompanying the donation is intended to sweeten the deal, but its purpose remains unclear. The City of Calgary claims that consideration will be given to proponents who demonstrate a connection to the building’s story or the surrounding community, but this process seems opaque at best.

Community members like Bonny Warbeck and the Millican-Ogden Heritage Group have been advocating for Ogden Block’s preservation. Their dedication is admirable, but they also raise valid concerns about relocating the building outside its original lot. As Warbeck points out, the story and significance of Ogden Block would indeed be lost if it were moved away from its community roots.

The fate of Ogden Block serves as a microcosm for the broader debate surrounding urban renewal projects in Calgary. As the city continues to grow and develop, what does preservation mean? Is it simply about relocating historic buildings or does it involve more substantial efforts to ensure their continued relevance?

The City of Calgary’s decision will set a precedent for how other historical buildings are treated in similar situations. Will we see more proposals like this one, where the city donates a building and provides funding to relocate it? Or will Ogden Block be an isolated case, a relic of a bygone era?

Ultimately, the preservation of Ogden Block is not just about saving a building; it’s about preserving the history and cultural significance that come with it. As Calgary continues to evolve, it would do well to remember the importance of honoring its past, even as it looks towards the future.

The November 15th deadline for relocating or demolishing Ogden Block looms large, casting a shadow over the city’s efforts to preserve history in the face of progress. The outcome will be a telling one – not just for Ogden Block but for the very notion of preservation itself in Calgary.