Coaldale’s Main Street Revitalization Project moves forward with downtown demolition

Sunny South News Photo by Kristine Jean. REVITALIZATION PROJECT: Armand’s Barber Shop was the final tenant in two long-standing buildings in downtown Coaldale and was the last unit demolished on July 28. The two buildings on Main Street (20 Ave.), housed several businesses over the years and were torn down last week to make way for a new commercial development. The demolition was also part of Phase 3 of the Town of Coaldale’s Main Street Revitalization Project.

By Kristine Jean
Sunny South News

The Town of Coaldale continues its downtown revitalization, with the recent demolition of several empty buildings along Main Street. 

The two vacant buildings, which housed several businesses over the years, were situated next to Civic Square and were torn down on July 28, after closing several years ago.  

Town of Coaldale Mayor Jack Van Rijn said the buildings had been sitting empty for many years and the town wanted to have them cleaned up before the town’s big Summer Fest celebration, set to take place Aug. 8-10.

The town kicked off the Main Street Revitalization Project in the spring of 2020 and since then, has seen several monumental improvements, encompassing several phases. Phase 1 included Civic Square, Phase 2 saw the completion of Civic Square Plaza and outdoor space, and Phase 3 includes last week’s demolition of the empty buildings, with the final part of Phase 3, the construction of a new commercial development downtown.     

The two buildings torn down last week have stood empty since October 2020 and it will be up to the developer, who has been identified as Shift Real Estate Investments (REI), to decide when construction on the new development will begin.      

Referencing the “decades of community memories” and the long-standing history of the two Main Street buildings, that date back to 1935, Van Rijn said their removal  “marks an exciting step forward.”

“The removal of these long-vacant buildings will further enhance the heart of our community and open the door to new opportunities in the downtown core,” said Van Rijn. “Clearing the site makes way for new commercial development and brings us one step closer to realizing the full vision for a revitalized Main Street.”

The first standalone building with a blue roof, located at 1811 20th Ave. had several businesses take up shop over the years including the Coaldale Coffee Shop, Low’s Pharmacy and La Ta Da Vintage Boutique.    

The other building with a red roof, located at 1813 20th Ave. had three businesses in the same building and included tenants over the years such as the Farmer’s General Store, Hair Chalet, Investors Group, E.M.C Tax and Accounting, the Sunny South News and the final tenant, Armand’s Barber Shop. 

Coaldale residents out viewing the demolition on July 28 and the clean-up over the following days, were pleased to see the empty buildings finally gone. 

“It’s nice to see them come down because there was no business going on in there, so now there’s an opportunity for businesses to come in,” said Ginette Williams, a Coaldale resident for more than 30 years. “That’s the one thing the town is lacking, is new businesses coming in for retail.”    

While Williams had heard of possible new businesses planned for the vacant spot, other residents were asking what might be built downtown next to Civic Square. 

Twenty-year Coaldale resident Warner Durocher, was one of them. 

“It would be nice to see a sit down restaurant,” said Durocher, sharing his thoughts on the demolition and anticipated, new commercial development. “I think it’s a good idea. We need to get more foot traffic downtown and that would be one way to do it.”    

Van Rijn noted that demolition often brings a mix of nostalgia and progress, but the town remains focused on the future.

“Cleaning up this site sets the stage for future commercial investment, right next to Civic Square, and reflects our commitment to maintaining a vibrant, welcoming downtown for residents, businesses, and visitors alike,” said Van Rijn.