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Owner ordered to stabilize building

TheSpec.com - Local - The Hamilton Spectator (Jun 15, 2010)

Structure at risk of partial collapse; city considering legal action

The City of Hamilton is ordering Denis Vranich to immediately shore up his building at Hess and King that is "not structurally stable" and at risk of partial collapse.

The abandoned apartment building at 275 King St. W. was gutted by a series of fires in the early part of the last decade.

Between 2000 and 2003, there were five fires, including the Oct. 30, 2003 blaze that resulted in the collapse of sections of the roof. No repairs were made, leaving much of the building exposed to the elements.

An inspection "on or about April 8" declared the exposed top-floor walls adjacent to Hess Street unsafe and expressed concern that the walls may collapse.

"We've put up with a lot, so finally an order was issued," said Ward 2 Councillor Bob Bratina.

The building's owner is not in full compliance with the order, but did install fencing to prevent access to areas where debris may fall in the event of a collapse, the city says.

The city had given Vranich until May 5 to fully comply. The city is now considering legal action, a spokesperson said.

"We may have to remedy the situation and charge it against the taxes of the owner."

A call to Vranich's holding company was not returned.

Bratina said the latest move is part of the city's renewed focus on abandoned buildings and complaints by businesses in the King Street West Business Improvement Area.