Shoppers Drug Mart has completed the purchase of the derelict Cromdale Hotel and hopes to have a new store open on the site by 2013.
Shoppers announced it was buying the condemned property last November. Owner Terry Nyquvest had been ordered by the city to tear down the eyesore in 2009, but that action was put on hold while he unsuccessfully appealed. According to the area’s City Councillor Tony Caterina, it took a lot of work with Shoppers Drug Mart to secure the deal.
The Cromdale, at 118th Avenue and 81st Street, was closed in 2004.
Residents of nearby neighbourhoods cheered the Shoppers deal in anticipation of finally removing an unsightly crime magnet that is hampering work to revitalize the community.
“It will be nice to get rid of that because it’s just ugly and a big eyesore,” says one area resident.
“The Shoppers Drug Mart is going to be really nice to have there and not to have to look at that… is so much nicer,” another adds.
The city has spent millions of dollars on new sidewalks, lights, paving and other improvements for 118th Avenue, particularly in the arts district between 82nd Street and 97th Street.
Those who work on reducing crime in the area are hopeful this purchase will be a catalyst for change.
“I think this will help spur some more development down this end of the Ave,” says Chris Hayduk, a member of the Community Response to Urban Disorder team, known as CRUD.
“To see new development come in this corner will help,” he explains. “It will compliment what’s already here, but it will help with a real resurgence of other development… I think it’s really going to be important for the community.”
“It’s about removing an environment where crime can happen.”
A Shoppers spokeswoman said no date has been set for the demolition or the start of construction on the new building.
A community celebration will be planned before demolition happens to mark the move forward but to also recognize the history of the Cromdale.
With files from The Edmonton Journal and Vinesh Pratap.
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