The Town of Olds is moving forward with the demolition of a vacant and deteriorating building located at 5033 51 Street, under the authority of the Municipal Government Act and a court order issued in early 2025.
This property has been vacant for an extended period and shows visible signs of structural decline, creating both safety concerns and a negative impact on the Uptowne Olds area. This includes a collapsed roof, punctured walls, the presence of asbestos, and extensive animal waste.
Prior to this step, the Town made repeated efforts to work with the property owners through the bylaw process to address the issues. When these efforts were unsuccessful, the Town sought and obtained a court order allowing it to take control of the property and proceed with demolition.
As part of this process, an evaluation from Alberta’s Ministry of Arts, Culture and Status of Women was conducted to determine whether the building was eligible for a provincial heritage designation. The province concluded that the property did not meet the necessary criteria.
Demolition planning is now underway, including asbestos remediation. Work will be carried out in a timely, responsible manner with public safety, neighbourhood standards, and minimal disruption as top priorities. Costs will be incurred by the Town and billed to the landowner. Any unpaid amounts will be placed on the tax roll.
The Town of Olds remains committed to working collaboratively with residents and business owners to address property concerns whenever possible. Demolition is always a last resort, pursued only when safety, community well-being, and the overall integrity of the surrounding community are at stake.
Further updates will be provided as the project progresses.
**With information provided by The Town of Olds
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