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Eviction clears way for tear down of last derelict buildings in Gore Street revitalization (3 photos)

Gore Street revitalization project almost completed, grand opening now set for July 6

With the eviction of a tenant at 125 Gore Street, the city is now able to proceed with the demolition of two buildings on that property and, in doing so, complete a roughly one year-long revitalization construction project of that area.

The construction, part of a wider downtown revitalization effort, began last summer and has involved replacing the entire street that had sewers dating as far back as 1908, as well as adding new paving, stones, trees, park benches, and, among other improvements, adding a small ‘parkette’ (like a very small park) beside the Neighbourhood Resource Centre at the corner of Gore Street and Albert Street East.

The revitalization plan also includes the purchase and demolition of four derelict properties all of which have been torn down already except for the two at 125 Gore Street.

Until the last tenant moved out, the buildings could not be demolished.

When the city purchased 125 Gore Street two tenants were living in the building.

Upon that purchase the city became the building's landlord and gave the tenants a 120-day notice that they intended to demolish the property.

Upon notice of of the intended demolition, said Melanie Borowicz-Sibenik, assistant city solicitor/ senior litigation counsel for the city, the tenants were offered compensation in either three months rent-free living or cash that equated as much.

The first tenant stayed two days before taking cash and moving out, the other tenant decided not to leave.

After a period of time the city approached the Landlord and Tenant Board to evict this tenant.

"The landlord has paid the Tenant at least $1500 in compensation," reads a statement form the Landlord and Tenant Board. 

Borowicz-Sibenik said the possibility of eviction was considered upon purchasing the building and so the city is not behind in their overall plan.

“We knew it could be up to 120 days plus the time period to deal with the eviction," said Borowicz-Sibenik. "We knew there were tenants and we knew that when we acquired the building that there were tenants in there so they have the option of remaining in the building."

The project was slated to be finished in Fall of 2016, according to the city's website. 

“We would’ve liked to have taken down the building earlier but the guy had rights that needed to be respected. We respected those legal rights,” said city planning director Don McConnell.

Based on a ruling by a rental tribunal, the tenant’s rental ended as of May 22 and, based on comments by neighbours and on site observations, it appears the building was vacant as early as Tuesday, May 23.

The city has now set up a portable toilet — of the type seen on construction sites — outside the building and Borowicz-Sibenik said the demolition is slated to begin in June.

McConnell said the vacant lots will likely be sold to developers or used as city parking but at this time it is undecided.

In addition to the demolition of 125 Gore Street, which is the biggest task left to do, other work to be done includes some repaving and installation of benches.

The city released a concept plan for the area's transformation.

The city will be having a street party to commemorate recent developments on Gore Street on July 6.

More details on that will be released soon.


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Jeff Klassen

About the Author: Jeff Klassen

Jeff Klassen is a SooToday staff reporter who is always looking for an interesting story
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