Committee approves demolition of dilapidated heritage properties in Lowertown
Three heritage homes in Lowertown are set to be demolished and rebuilt.
The buildings on St. Patrick Street in Lowertown were constructed in the 1870s and are part of a heritage conservation district. Once a proud part of Ottawa's history, they are now in a dilapidated state.
- Sign up now for daily CTV News Ottawa newsletters
- The information you need to know, sent directly to you: Download the CTV News App
"My clients kind of refer to this all the time. It's a real eyesore," says Joseph Gallarino, owner of Parlour Spatzio, a business across the street.
"They're very unsafe, and you get squatters moving in," Gallarino says. "Winter's coming. They've got the electricity cut off. The gas line is cut off. So, guess how they're going to keep warm. Put a fire, set the whole block on fire."
The building at 227 St. Patrick St. and the homes attached to it have been falling apart for years. They could not be demolished because of their heritage designation, but the city's Built Heritage Committee voted Tuesday to allow the properties to be rebuilt, so long as the new buildings follow the look and feel of the heritage neighbourhood.
"What has happened there in the last several years has been shocking," says Lowertown resident Janet Thompson Mar, who lives behind the homes. She cites constant crime, bylaw calls, and called on a city committee to approve a demolition.
"The backyard filled with trash and human waste, unfortunately, for several summers, which brought rats, which meant people could not go outdoors. We had the largest drug bust in Ottawa's history in our backyard one weekday morning last fall," said Thompson Mar.
The Lowertown Community Association says the situation reflects "demolition by neglect."
"This is what we talk about when we talk about demolition by neglect," says Josiah Frith of the Lowertown Community Association. "We need them to be taken seriously, so they don't end up here."
The property was purchased by Brian Dagenais in 2019 for $2.5 million.
"Any rebuilding of 227 Saint Patrick will have to meet standards that reflect how the building looked in the past," says City Councillor Stephanie Plante. "There will be a nod to the heritage aspect, as it is located within a heritage conservation district."
Dagenais did not provide a comment to CTV News.
"I'm sorry those buildings are coming down," says Thompson Mar. "But that is where we are now."
A vote at full city council later this month is the next step.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Trump threatens to try to take back the Panama Canal. Panama's president balks at the suggestion
Donald Trump suggested Sunday that his new administration could try to regain control of the Panama Canal that the United States “foolishly” ceded to its Central American ally, contending that shippers are charged “ridiculous” fees to pass through the vital transportation channel linking the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans.
Man handed 5th distracted driving charge for using cell phone on Hwy. 417 in Ottawa
An Ottawa driver was charged for using a cell phone behind the wheel on Sunday, the fifth time he has faced distracted driving charges.
Wrongfully convicted N.B. man has mixed feelings since exoneration
Robert Mailman, 76, was exonerated on Jan. 4 of a 1983 murder for which he and his friend Walter Gillespie served lengthy prison terms.
What's open and closed over the holidays in Canada
As Canadians take time off to celebrate the holidays, many federal offices, stores and businesses will be closed across the country on Christmas Day and New Year's Day.
Can the Governor General do what Pierre Poilievre is asking? This expert says no
A historically difficult week for Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his Liberal government ended with a renewed push from Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre to topple this government – this time in the form a letter to the Governor General.
opinion Christmas movies for people who don't like Christmas movies
The holidays can bring up a whole gamut of emotions, not just love and goodwill. So CTV film critic Richard Crouse offers up a list of Christmas movies for people who might not enjoy traditional Christmas movies.
More than 7,000 Jeep SUVs recalled in Canada over camera display concern
A software issue potentially affecting the rearview camera display in select Jeep Wagoneer and Grand Cherokee models has prompted a recall of more than 7,000 vehicles.
'I'm still thinking pinch me': lost puppy reunited with family after five years
After almost five years of searching and never giving up hope, the Tuffin family received the best Christmas gift they could have hoped for: being reunited with their long-lost puppy.
10 hospitalized after carbon monoxide poisoning in Ottawa's east end
The Ottawa Police Service says ten people were taken to hospital, with one of them in life-threatening condition, after being exposed to carbon monoxide in the neighbourhood of Vanier on Sunday morning.