Two town-owned buildings are getting demolished to make way for a temporary parking lot during the downtown Innisfail revitalization construction project.
Council purchased the two buildings on 4908 ñ 51 Ave. late last year for the project, expected to start as early as May.
Council approved spending $9,700 for the demolition, removal of debris and concrete from the Old Langevin buildings.
The draft area redevelopment plan still to be approved by council, outlines the future use of the area as a parking lot that could serve as an outdoor vendor space or farmers' market. This may involve creating a central covered walkway that could act as an open mall, the draft reads.
"As we go through the construction phase this coming summer we'll be closing off a good portion of 50th street so that will give us a temporary backup for parking in the area," explained Craig Teal, director of planning and development who added it could be consolidated with a public parking lot next to the parcel where the buildings are.
He said while council hasn't yet approved the long-term use of the lot, "we are pretty confident on it as a temporary parking lot for upcoming construction because that's a very pressing need."
He said if everything goes as planned the demolition should be completed by the end of February or early March, with the clearing of debris in time for construction in May.
"We'll make sure there's at least a gravel parking lot available for use in there. And then we'll start on 50th Street."
