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Heritage advocates look to stop demolition
Hamilton Spectator
12/31/2012

The developer who has applied for permits to demolish a row of buildings along the south side of Gore Park has run into a wall of opposition.

Wilson and Blanchard applied for the permits in December and now heritage advocates are calling on both municipal and provincial representatives to halt the operation.  

Downtown advocates say the stretch of buildings has great heritage and architectural value.

However, David Blanchard says the building were in bad shape when he bought them ten years ago and now there are questions about structural integrity and suitability for future use.

Advocates are asking that the issuing of the demolition permits be witheld until after council meets again on January 23rd.  

Meantime, Downtown Renewal Manager Glen Norton says he has a meeting planned early in the new year with Blanchard to discuss the possibliity of saving the buildings.  

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  1. janet posted on 12/31/2012 08:18 AM
    well played, blanchard. you buy it, neglect it for ten years, to the point where its about to fall down, then say it has to be torn down because of structural integrity.
  2. Progress posted on 12/31/2012 10:40 AM
    Please allow Blanchard to redo an entire downtown block!!!!!

    Everyone in this City wants a change downtown, until it comes right down to it. People want a change, without a change. People want a revitalized dowtown, but exactly the way it sits now...Guess what, it doesn't happen that way. Time to move forward.
  3. MariaR_6861 posted on 12/31/2012 11:05 AM
    Lets face the facts that Mr. Blanchard never had in mind to save those buildings.
    He knew that if he held those properties that purchased for rock bottom price and do nothing to it, can be sold today at a gain of unbelievable prices. Now every one wants those properties, but no one wants to restore them. They wanted to tear it down. So, they bring up all kinds of negative against it. I think only the one law can stop them to demolish and that is the heritage law. I think at least they should keep the front of the buildings as is, and design something to compliment that original looks. It would be really valuable and also it would allow for build new.
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