Happy leap year! Let’s celebrate February 29th by knocking something down…
Back in May 2008, there was a massive fire at the front part of this building. Driving past I noticed that the next section of the building is coming down too.
There appears to be quite a bit of century old steel in there…
I’m sure that’s the reason for the careful demolition.
Sad to see another part of our industrial heritage bite the dust. We were once a city of industry and production. Today, a region of sprawl and vacant lots in the old industrial zones.
Don’t you think it’s time for this one to go?
The problem is not letting some go.. It’s what’s allowed to be put in its place once it’s gone. Our bylaws are forcing suburban parking requirements on urban sites. They allow massive setbacks where zero lot lines should be enforced, and the lack of a minimum FAR (floor area ratio) we end up with strip plazas, fast food joints or in most cases… parking lots. If we had a bylaw that actually concerned itself with the form of the city, and not just enforcing minimum parking requirements, we would see much better “replacement” buildings, and when it came time to demolish a building that may not be able to be salvaged.. There would be less resistance. I think people get upset about demolition of the historic buildings in this. It’s because what we put in their place isn’t good enough. Three words “form based bylaws”. We need this!!
Did the city take possession and order it’s demolition like they are trying to do with Grace? I thought I saw this property on the tax sale list last year for over half a mil in back taxes. I’m just puzzled because I thought this building was still functional and had a tenant.
Shane, I totally agree. Our zoning bylaws serve to introduce low sprawl density on formerly urban sites. Often we blame the people who redevelop properties like this but it’s the City that gives them no option.
I wouldn’t be shocked if the old Elias is next. I heard a rumour that there were plans for a McDonald’s and Giant Tiger for behind the Elias building.
The rumour about McDonalds first came up when Elias closed all their stores, then reopened
on this site.
Industrial buildings get leveled before burned out houses in residential neighbourhoods. I wonder why?
Shane,
Great post. That is exactly the issue at hand. No use in having bylaws if “enforcement” turns a blind a eye.
The question about buildings being demod should be who is doing it the owner, the city, or why? If we knew the answer maybe it would make some sense, probably industrial sites go is for the hope to redevelope them. The Grace mess is the Province and developer or who ever owns the property, since the city does not own the site (Grace) their hands are tied for now.
What did they used to make in this building?