HERITAGE OTTAWA

About 40 “Friends of the Bradley-Craig Farm” assembled for a community photo on February 4 in front of the big red barn on Hazeldean Road.

They were celebrating news that Richcraft Homes, the barn’s owner, has decided to keep the landmark barn in Stittsville They’re seeking a future tenant and working with an architect on plans to renovate the barn for commercial use.

The 19th century barn and the adjacent farmhouse are protected under the Ontario Heritage Act. Friends young and old came out for the photo, some in costume, some with musical instruments.  The freshly fallen snow and lots of smiling faces made for a charming picture.

A few weeks later, Richcraft appeared in court to answer to previous violations of the City’s Property Standards Bylaw relating to the upkeep of the Bradley-Craig barn on Hazeldean Road. The company pleaded guilty to the charges and was fined $1,600.

The house and barn continue to be on a City of Ottawa “watch list” for heritage buildings at risk called the “Vacant and Boarded-up Designated Heritage Buildings”.  That list is being monitored by a group called the Heritage Matters Task Force, chaired by Mayor Jim Watson and made up of senior city staff and stakeholders.

City staff proactively assesses heritage buildings on the list to identify possible cases of “demolition by neglect”, and to ensure that owners are complying with property standards bylaws. Residents can also report any concerns about the condition of heritage buildings, including Bradley-Craig farm, by calling 311.