City staff are seeking to designate Baker-Spalding Block building as a Municipal Historic Resource. The building was constructed in 1914, located at 515A N. Railway St., served as the location for the Chinese National League and operated as a Chinese goods store and reflects the vital role of Chinese merchants in the city's economic and social fabric.--NEWS PHOTO BRENDAN MILLER
bmiller@medicinehatnews.com
City staff say the Baker-Spalding Block building, constructed in 1914, remains an integral component of historic “Main Street,” and are moving forward with designation as a Municipal Historic Resource.
On Monday, city councillors approved a motion to issue an intention to gain historical designation the building, located at 515A N. Railway St., that would be the first property on the historically significant streetscape to receive the designation.
Staff told councillors the building is in excellent condition for its age as the city’s Heritage Resources Working Group has discovered the building was significant for the early Chinese community in Medicine Hat.
“It was an important property for the Chinese community for a number of years,” said Aaron Nelson, associate director of arts, heritage and entertainment. “It was a Chinese national league there as well and it had a mercantile aspect to it for a number of years as well.”
Staff say the property owner is seeking the heritage designation and is making a “deliberate investment in the future of Medicine Hat by choosing to preserve the places that give it meaning,” according to a document requesting council to ask staff to draft a bylaw for historical protection.
The designation of a property as a Municipal Historic Resource provides it with more legal protections and enables access to provincial heritage funding. The designation also ensures important historical places are conserved and sustained for future generations.
The building itself is closely associated with Herbert H. Baker, who commissioned and built the Baker-Spalding Block as part of a trio of similar structures, including the two adjoining buildings to the south now known as the New Baker Block.
Between 1919 and 1947 the building served as the location for the Chinese National League and operated as a Chinese goods store and reflects the vital role of Chinese merchants in the city’s economic and social fabric.
Staffers also say the building is an outstanding example of Classical Revival architecture, which is characterized by its two-story form, flat roof and parapet clad in local brick, with distinctive features including a pressed tin cornice, symmetrical upper window arrangement and a traditional commercial storefront.
Staffers are to draft a bylaw to be brought forward after the 60 days’ Notice of Intention to Designate is complete.
The city currently has 16 Historical Resources designated.
Debenture Bylaw
On Monday city councillors gave first reading the debenture bylaw to incur indebtedness by the issuance of debentures in the amount of $65,750,000.
This is for the purpose of the Saamis Solar Final Investment Decision, which was unanimously approved by councillors the same evening.
The second reading of the debenture bylaw will occur at council’s next public meeting on Feb. 17.
Transportation Master Plan
Council is considering asking city staff to put a pause on engagement on the Transportation Master Plan as well as the Transportation Safety Strategy and its Active Transportation Strategy until the last quarter of 2026.
Council will vote during its next meeting on Feb. 17 on the motion that will allow the city to further engage with residents and focus on the Riverside Corridor.
