Concern for Thomas facade
Bratina wants to make sure building front is not damaged
May 19, 2009
Dana Brown
The Hamilton Spectator
http://www.thespec.com/News/Local/article/568118
Downtown councillor Bob Bratina wants the city to get involved in the Thomas building demolition process to ensure the heritage facade is not lost.
Bratina is concerned the demolition of the back portion of the building could cause damage that might prompt the city to order the entire structure, including the facade, torn down in the interest of safety.
The building, built in 1855, is on James Street North, next to the Lister Block.
"We don't have any real hopes that the building itself would be useful, but we were hoping that the facade could remain," Bratina said.
The Ward 2 councillor is concerned the Thomas demolition could turn into something similar to the Balfour building situation last year.
As the process was under way, something went wrong with the Balfour project and the city had to issue an emergency order to bring the whole structure down.
Bratina does not want to see the facade of the Thomas building suffer the same fate.
The Thomas building has been designated as having cultural heritage value by the city, with the stone facade specifically being mentioned as one of its heritage attributes.
Bratina said there has already been damage to a neighbouring business because of the project.
"Our interest should be to make sure that everything goes as correctly as possible so that, by accident or something, we don't damage the building and then we're forced to take it down," he said.
The councillor said he will be bringing up the issue at a planning committee meeting today.
A provincial building inspector and the contractor's engineer are also slated to attend the site today.
Bratina is hoping they will be able to assess the viability of the facade and how the demolition may be affecting it.
He has requested someone from the city also be present.