Caribou Corner Exterior Renovation

To all tenants of Caribou Corner,

This coming Wednesday (April 22, 2020) ATCO Gas will be replacing gas meters at Caribou Corner. Gas service will be interrupted for minimum 1 day and potentially 2 days. This interruption to the gas supply of the building will impact: furnaces, make-up air units, hot water tanks, kitchen equipment etc.. As a much needed precaution, we need to ensure that all equipment that is supplied with gas is inspected and pilot lights for the equipment are lit. Joe Cowan from Banff Caribou Properties will be overseeing this work. Joe will need to inspect your tenant space on Thursday April 23rd as the gas is getting turned back on. Please contact Joe to arrange a time for this inspection via email jcowan@bestofbanff.com or cell phone: 403-763-8446.

As many of you are already aware a renovation to the exterior of Caribou Corner mall has been in the works for nearly 20 years. After much back and forth with the Town of Banff planning department and several renditions Banff Caribou Properties Ltd (BCPL) has received a development permit and a building permit for the exterior renovation of this iconic building. A local company, Ashton Construction Services (ACS), has been retained to manage the construction activities for this project.

Timing

While the devastating impacts of the current situation stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic is concerning for us all, we are confident in the staying power and long-term future of Banff. The renovation will therefore proceed, ensuring that we are well situated for the rebound. Further, we feel like the disruptive effects of the renovation will be mitigated by the already closed stores. With all this in mind, the renovation is expected to start the week of April 6, 2020, with the goal of having the construction affecting store fronts complete by mid-July.

Scope of work

Due to the heritage nature of Caribou Corner much thought and research has been put into what this building should present to the high-profile streetscapes of Banff Avenue and Caribou Street. Through guidance from the Town of Banff and research from our in-house design team, it is fitting to bring the building back to the “Streamline Moderne” architectural style in which the first building on this site was originally built to. Based on this style and the land use bylaw it was determined that the following items needed to be addressed:

• All-new stucco finish and base treatment to the entire building
• Raise the parapets to screen rooftop mechanical from streetscape
• Removal of awning canopies
• Replacement of entry features to second floor and lower floor businesses
• Removal and replacement of non-conforming backlit signs to signs that meet the current land use bylaw
• Replacement of all windows and doors
• Replacement of exterior lighting and sign lighting

Access to store front doors and the alleyway will be maintained for the duration of the project, however there will be some temporary interruption for scaffolding setup, scaffolding takedown, door replacement and window replacement, etc. The construction management team will deal with each individual tenant on an as needed basis to minimize disruption to regular business operations.  To protect pedestrians and maintain a safe work environment during the renovation the entire Banff Avenue and Caribou Street facades will be scaffolded. Due to signage being removed and scaffolding blocking sightlines to tenant spaces BCPL will coordinate and place temporary signage on the outside of the scaffolding for each tenant. Graphics for logos and temporary signage need to be forwarded to Katie Hesketh (khesketh@bestofbanff.com) for execution of the temporary signage plan.

Renderings of what Caribou Corner mall will look like once it is all finished can be found at: cariboucontracting.ca

Tenant responsibilities

Upon completion BCPL will have brackets and frames for new wall and hanging signs in place. Each tenant will be responsible for securing a sign permit for their new sign, as well as supply and install of new signs on the brackets and frames. Once we have confirmed details on the brackets and frames we will forward these on so that you can work with the sign company of your choice.

BCPL is confident that the re-investment in Caribou Corner will, at the end of the day, greatly enhance the value of Caribou Corner to its tenants.

Please contact Shawn Birch (760-7579) if you have any further questions.