Demolition process begins for Hitch’n Post

By Gillian Slade on July 25, 2018.

gslade@medicinehatnews.com  @MHNGillianSlade

Work has commenced on the process required to demolish the old Hitch’n Post Saloon at 210 S. Railway St.

The first stage will be the removal of hazardous materials.

“The city and the OWA (Orphan Well Association) place the highest priority on public safety,” Stan Schwartzenberger, commissioner of development and infrastructure, said in a press release. “Throughout this project all required public safety and environmental regulations will be strictly followed to ensure the safety of nearby businesses, residents and the public.”

Businesses in the immediate vicinity can remain open. There will be minimal disruption to traffic, transit, parking and pedestrian walkways.

An agreement between the Alberta Oil & Gas Orphan Well Abandonment and Reclamation Association and the city was revealed in February, paving the way for the demolition.

Demolition of the building will occur in August once abatement of hazardous material is completed. Following demolition and site cleanup, the OWA will install an enhanced soil gas management system to manage the methane associated with an old leaking gas well.

OWA has developed a soil gas management system comprised of shallow extraction/vertical wells in the ground around the building. These are connected with slotted pipes to a vacuum unit that collects the gas and removes it out of the soil, so it doesn’t enter into any adjacent buildings and avoids a public safety risk.

Future use of the site will depend on what utility rights of way will be required around the abandoned well.

The city and OWA will equally split costs of addressing hazardous material abatement, demolition of the property, registration of a utility right-of-way and restrictive covenant on the property that would allow the city to pursue leasing opportunities with interested parties.

The city’s portion of the bill would be about $460,000.

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