City gives green light to restart redevelopment of historic building
The only thing missing at City Hall on Thursday was a celebratory pint after a vote in favour of a plan to fix a Centretown eyesore.
Members of the built heritage subcommittee practically restrained themselves from high-fiving each other after approving work at the Somerset House, the home of the old Duke of Somerset pub.
"This is truly a good news story," Barrhaven Councillor Jan Harder, who chairs the committee, declared during the unanimous vote.
Panel vice-chairman Barry Padolsky said he hopes it's the "end of a long nightmare."
Those dark days started in October 2007 when the building at 352 Somerset Street, at the corner of Bank Street, partially collapsed and a renovation worker was trapped. The city was worried for public safety and restricted traffic access around the building. An emergency order to repair the building was slapped on owner TKS Holdings.
That ignited a legal fight between the city and the owner that left Centretown businesses and residents on the sidelines waiting for a resolution. It wasn't until last December (2012) that the city and TKS settled out of court, with the owner paying the city $650,000 and the city agreeing to waive encroachment fees during construction.
Today, hoarding still runs down Somerset Street in front of the dilapidated building, which dates back to 1900.
The redevelopment concept by architect Derek Crain retains the heritage look of the building and features a glassed top on a contemporary addition to the northeast section along Somerset Street.
Planning Committee and City Council still need to vote on the matter.
Update from Heritage Ottawa: City Council approved the redevelopment of Somerset House on November 13, 2013.