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A Garforthian turn of events for Northern Breweries building

With no visible signs of demolition going on at the vacant Northern Breweries site on Bay Street, City Council chose Monday to give City staff approval to "hire the forces necessary" in regards to demolishing part of the property, with the

With no visible signs of demolition going on at the vacant Northern Breweries site on Bay Street, City Council chose Monday to give City staff approval to "hire the forces necessary" in regards to demolishing part of the property, with the estimated demolition cost of $130,000 to be tacked on to the property's tax bill.

The structural integrity of the building will be studied and, if determined necessary, City-directed demolition of the northwest corner of the old brewery will happen.

The property was purchased by Toronto-based developer Nirmala Singh in April 2011, with the intention of demolishing the old brewery and erecting a multi-storey tower with commercial space on the lower floors and residential condos on the upper floors.

The City has since ordered Singh's firm, Renaissance Place Corporation, to demolish at least the northwest corner of the old brewery (which was badly damaged by fire in February).

In a Garforthian turn of events, Singh's company has failed to comply and begin any demolition, despite having received more than one deadline extension from the City.

The City hoped Singh would have a demolition plan in place by May 9.

City Commissioner of Engineering and Planning Jerry Dolcetti said Monday that staff will report back to Council July 15 with "a definite cost" to the City as to demolition of the building's northwest corner.

Council was told by staff that the fire-damaged part of the structure cannot remain standing indefinitely.

Ward One Councillor Steve Butland asked Dolcetti if Singh and the City have been in contact lately.

Dolcetti replied that phone calls to real estate officials connected with Singh have not been returned.

Ward Two Councillor Susan Myers stated she is "deeply concerned," and has "no confidence in this proponent."

Myers asked City Commissioner of Finance and Treasurer Bill Freiburger if Renaissance Place Corporation is up-to-date with its property tax payments.

To that, Freiburger replied the firm still owes $700 in taxes from 2012, with no payments having been made so far in 2013.

It is assumed, at this point, the City will have to pay for partial demolition of the old brewery site, and add the cost to Renaissance Place Corporation's property tax bill.

When the City will receive payment of that bill remains unclear.

 


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Darren Taylor

About the Author: Darren Taylor

Darren Taylor is a news reporter and photographer in Sault Ste Marie. He regularly covers community events, political announcements and numerous board meetings. With a background in broadcast journalism, Darren has worked in the media since 1996.
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