OTTAWA CITIZEN, By Matthew Pearson
The city is launching a new “heritage matters” task force to step up enforcement of property standards for derelict buildings such as Somerset House, the mayor announced Wednesday.
A frustrated-sounding Jim Watson said an “irresponsible developer” has allowed the building at the corner of Bank and Somerset streets to deteriorate to a point where additional damage has been done to the property.
“We have to do a better job enforcing the laws and bylaws we have, but we also need the province of Ontario to be on board,” the mayor said.
The task force, to be comprised of Watson, the chairs of the planning and built-heritage subcommittees, heritage planners and the heads of the building inspection and bylaw departments, will meet quarterly, beginning in August.
Watson added he would also raise the issue later in the day during a call with Eleanor McMahon, Ontario’s new Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport.
News of the task force came as council was asked to sign off on a controlled demolition at Somerset House, which some councillors said was a textbook example of demolition by neglect.
Council grudgingly approved demolishing three of the easternmost bays on the wall along Somerset Street West. A fourth bay is in rough shape, but the city wants the owner to first try fixing it up to “retain historic fabric.” If that fails, the city wants the owner to keep the brick and other materials to use in the redevelopment.
City heritage staff supported the demolition, not that they have much choice, considering the condition of the wall. The owner’s engineer, Capacity Engineering, called it an “urgent demolition,” an observation confirmed by Ojdrovic Engineering, which was retained by the city.
TKS Holdings owns the building, which dates back to 1899. Tony Shahrasebi, the company’s owner, couldn’t be reached for comment.
Somerset Coun. Catherine McKenney wants the city to at least consider expropriating the building, but Watson spoke against such a move, arguing it would “reward very bad behaviour.”