Federal building can’t be demolished: Ottawa
http://www.thespec.com/news/local/ar...olished-ottawa
Ottawa says the federal building cannot be torn down and features and facades are protected under a covenant that runs with the land in perpetuity.
The point is contained in a letter to developer Darko Vranich, who is looking at demolishing the building at Main Street West and Caroline Street, but says he’s prepared to save six sculptures on the front made by Hamilton artist Elizabeth Holbrook. The city issued a demolition permit Thursday.
The Feb. 2 letter to Vranich is from Robert Brick of the Ontario office of Public Works and Government Services Canada.
“Please be reminded that the Government of Canada sold the property with a covenant that runs with the land in perpetuity which, in addition to protecting certain designated features and facades, requires that you and subsequent purchasers not ‘raze to the ground or otherwise demolish the entire building,’” says Brick.
He says the government requires Vranich to withdraw his demolition permit “immediately” and that it will ask that the City of Hamilton to “refuse your permit application and protect the heritage character and designation of the property on our behalf.”
Tyler McDiarmid, chief financial officer of Vrancor Group, had not seen the letter, but said the firm was prepared to discuss the matter with Ottawa. He said plans for the site remain in the design phase.
“We are still working on the design of the project,” McDiarmid said. “We are evaluating a number of different options … We are working with staff to see what can be done. We’re not going to act irresponsibly with an immediate demolition of the building.”
Tim McCabe, the city’s general manager of planning and economic development, said the city was legally bound to issue the demolition permit to Vranich under Ontario building laws.
Vranich plans to build a 140-unit, 20-storey condo on the site. The future of the bas relief sculptures by Holbrook has been causing contention among arts and heritage advocates since Vranich filed for a demolition permit. Last month, the city’s heritage committee tried to block the demolition by endorsing an 11th-hour proposal to designate the building under the Ontario Heritage Act.