Dundas's former Valley City repair work underway
Voluntary compliance date is August 1
Jul 06, 2020 by Craig Campbell Dundas Star News
Forge & Foster is continuing repairs and painting of the former Valley City Manufacturing building at 64 Hatt St. in Dundas.
Joe Accardi, chief executive of Forge & Foster — which bought the historic but undesignated property from the Crockford family in June 2017 — said facade painting that began in May is ongoing.
“We’re looking to add signage soon and clean up a little more,” Accardi said.
The property is tentatively scheduled for heritage designation review in 2025. City of Hamilton heritage planning staff have a growing backlog.
In the meantime, there are no restrictions on painting or other alterations to the building despite heritage concerns about negative impacts of painting brick.
“There’s not too much we can do at this time,” city heritage planner Miranda Brunton told the Hamilton Municipal Heritage committee during its virtual meeting on Friday, July 3.
Committee member Karen Burke brought photographs of the 64 Hatt St. changes to the group’s attention.
“I wanted the committee just to see what happened,” Burke said. “I don’t really agree with white paint on the façade.”
She said she wasn’t aware of any significant investments being made into the buildings on site, and while she is not concerned the building will be demolished, she suggested it does appear to be falling into disrepair.
In late May, the city’s bylaw enforcement department requested roof, window and brick repairs be completed by August 1, at which time charges could be laid.
City of Hamilton manager of licensing Monica Ciriello said July 6 there was no update on the work. Ciriello said an inspector will visit the site before the August 1 voluntary compliance date.
“They wanted roof (and) mason work updated,” Accardi said. “(It) already was part of our scope anyway. Mason work is done. Roof is next.”
Accardi said ongoing efforts to bring in new tenants has been slow, particularly during the pandemic of the last few months. Expected use of the property for film productions has also been a challenge.
“I hope commercial and film industries can recover soon,” Accardi said.
The former Valley City property was a filming location last summer for television miniseries Self Made: Inspired by the life of Madam CJ Walker, starring Octavia Spencer.
by Craig Campbell
https://www.hamiltonnews.com/news-story/10069318-dundas-s-former-valley-city-repair-work-underway/
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