The Alberta government has moved into a negotiation phase with a top-ranked proponent for the redevelopment of the former Royal Alberta Museum (RAM) site in Edmonton's Glenora neighbourhood. This marks a significant shift from the province's initial plan to demolish the structure and create a green space.
From Demolition to Development
The announcement comes just over 16 months after the province first declared its intention to tear down the old museum building. After public pushback, the government reversed course 4.5 months ago, issuing a request for proposals (RFP) on July 18 to find a new future for the site.
In a statement, the office of Infrastructure Minister Martin Long confirmed the ministry received six proposals in response to the RFP. Of those, three met the province's requirements and were scored based on criteria including corporate profile, related experience, and financial capability.
"Alberta Infrastructure contacted all the proponents in late November and entered into an early negotiation phase with the highest-ranked proposal," the statement read. It added that should these talks succeed, more details will be released. The identity of the leading proponent has not been disclosed.
Community Interest and Historic Value
The government describes the goal of the process as finding a solution that "balances community interest and historic value in a cost-effective way." The statement noted that if an agreement cannot be reached with the top-scoring proponent, the province would likely turn to the next highest-ranked proposal.
This development follows considerable community advocacy to save the building. In October 2024, banners opposing the demolition were displayed outside the former museum. Public sentiment was further clarified when Postmedia acquired the results of a government survey from August 2023. The analysis showed approximately 57 per cent of respondents favoured preserving and repurposing the site over demolition, with many citing the building's historic nature and the abundance of existing green space nearby.
A Pivotal Reversal
The journey to this point began in August 2023, when then-Infrastructure Minister Pete Guthrie announced plans to repurpose the site as a park, with demolition slated to begin the following April. The current negotiation phase represents a direct response to the documented public preference for preservation.
For local residents and heritage advocates, the news is a welcome step. As one community member implied, while there may be preferences for the site's ultimate use, any viable redevelopment is preferable to leaving a pile of rubble. The focus now shifts to the outcome of the negotiations, which will determine the fate of a prominent piece of Edmonton's architectural history.
