BOWDEN — A developer is drawing up plans for the former Lions Hall now that his proposal for redeveloping it has been approved by the town's municipal planning commisson.
Kyle McCowan of Okotoks plans to build apartments in the building which became surplus when the new Paterson Community Centre was built in the north end of town a couple of years ago.
Reaction to McCowan’s idea was split when the matter was brought before a public hearing in 2019.
In general, those opposed to it worried the increased density of the project could increase crime and risk to public safety, there was insufficient space for parking, insufficient green space, no public transportation available for future residents, and the proposed development could hurt property values for surrounding homes.
Those for it liked the idea of more accommodation in town and saw the project as a way to revitalize the town’s downtown area.
McCowan decided to bring back the revised proposal because he heard that opposition to the project had been softening.
He dropped the number of apartments planned for the building to 22 from 26 and suggested 1.22. parking stalls instead of 1.75 stalls per apartment which the town’s Land Use Bylaw calls for.
McCowan told The Albertan he plans to have a more solidified idea of what the project will look like later this month or next month.
Bowden mayor Robb Stuart is happy it’s proceeding.
"I really don’t see too much of a problem with it,” Stuart said during an interview. "We definitely need growth in our downtown area, and having another derelict building that just sits there that the town is responsible for really didn’t make much sense.
“If Kyle can make a go of it, that’s great. And if he can’t, well I guess technically, now that he’s got the development permit, I’m not sure if that constituted transfer of ownership or not, but he’ll have to make something do, right?”
Stuart said making good use of the old Lions Hall is step 1 of improvements that need to be made to Bowden’s downtown area. He’d also like to see something done with the old Bowden Hotel. But that could prove tougher.
At one time McCowan had expressed interest in redeveloping that building as well, but during an interview earlier this year, he said he had dropped that idea.
Stuart noted the hotel has asbestos which has been linked to cancer. So it’s difficult to find someone willing to deal with that problem and other issues the long abandoned, aging building has.
For example, the water’s been shut off for a long time and the building is said to be pretty damaged.
Stuart was asked if the town would be willing to cover the cost of getting asbestos out of there to make the old hotel more attractive to redevelop.
“I don’t know,” he said.
Another suggestion was for the town to have the building demolished; the idea being that a vacant lot might be more attractive to developers.
“You’d have to get the asbestos out to knock it down and then you have another vacant lot, which we don’t need another vacant lot in town. But having that sit there isn’t good either,” he said.
