Empire Building in downtown Red Deer to be torn down nearly 4 years after fire

The Empire Building in Red Deer in June 2024. (Google Street View)

A building in downtown Red Deer described by many as an eyesore will be torn down this weekend.

Fire forced tenants out of the Empire Building at 4909 48 St. in October 2021.

The building has been vacant and boarded up ever since.

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Starting Friday, crews will be demolishing the building and cleaning up and restoring the site.

The work is expected to last until Sunday.

To protect the public during the demolition, on-street parking and sidewalks in front of the building will be closed for the duration of the work.

The south alley behind the building will be closed to through traffic from Friday until July 7, but access to nearby parking lots will remain open.

The city says the work zone will be fenced off and secured, and after hours security will be on scene.