Demolition starts on downtown building
June 08, 2010
Joey Coleman
The Hamilton Spectator
http://www.thespec.com/News/Local/article/783964
Demolition began yesterday on an unsafe building at a downtown intersection.
Unlike with recent city-ordered demolitions, there has been no public outrage.
Community advocate Matt Jelly, organizer of the grassroots Bylaw Crawl, and Ward 2 Councillor Bob Bratina say the building's demolition reflects the city's increased vigilance with enforcing building standards in the downtown core.
A recent engineering report said the building at 322-326 King St. E. at Wellington, estimated to be 60 to 70 years old, is "in danger of imminent collapse" and the city issued an unsafe order requiring it to be demolished. It's owned by R. Denninger Ltd., the specialty food shop, and once housed street-level retail space and eight apartments above it.
In August 2009, Denninger's applied for a demolition permit for the building with the stipulation that a replacement building be built within two years or a fine of $160,000 would be imposed against the company. The permit was approved by council but not issued.
With the unsafe order, the fine no longer applies if the land remains vacant.
"I'm pretty sure that lot won't remain empty," Bratina said. "I've heard two proposals for that site."
No applications for building permits have yet been requested for the site.
Jelly said he is not opposed to the demolition.
"I don't think every building should be saved," he said. "I would just hope that the developer is acting in good faith and does plan to rebuild on the site."
Attempts to reach a Denninger's spokesperson were unsuccessful.
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