'Tense days' for 145-year-old Brantford cottage after its relocation pauses Monday en route

A 145-year-old cottage is on wheels Monday in the Brantford city hall parking lot until an engineer gives the OK for it to be moved to its permanent home next to the city's museum and archives.

A contractor is moving Crystal Cottage from its downtown home at 35 Chatham St., where itsat since1876.A crew will eventually unload the heritage buildingat 53Charlotte St., 450 metresfrom its previous home.

The cottage, notable for the rows of bottles built into the brickwork, was picked up on Sunday and put on a trailer, says Tim Philp, president of the BrantHistorical Society.

Two issues have plaguedthe move. First, four tires on the 48-wheel trailer blew on the way into the city hall parking lot, Philp says. Also, cracks have emerged at the rear of the cottage, and some of the bottles have broken. Now an engineer is inspecting the building.

The developer is obligated to deliver the cottage to the historical society in its pre-movecondition, Philpsays. Still, this is a nail biter.

"I've had a few pretty tense days while this thing's been lifted up and sitting on a 48-wheel dolly," he said. "I just want to get it on that foundation."

"We have very experienced people and we just have to trust that they can make it happen."

The move has been in the works for a year. Last November,Brantford city council approved a 10-storey mixed-used building for 35 Chatham. It'll have 200 dwelling units and 724 square metres of commercial space.

As part of the bylaw amendment, Market Street Development Inc. must movethe cottage to CharlotteStreet, where the historical society will own the 800-square-foot building. Philp says the society isn't sureyet how it'll use the building.

Thisstyle of cottage was popular in Brantford in the 19th century, Philpsays, and others are still standing and inhabited. The bottles make this one unique.

While moving the house, "some of the bottles integral to the structure have broken and fallen off," he said."We're going to be collecting them and putting them back."

Moving the building, Philpsaid, isn't rocket science,"but I think it's getting close."

Brantfordpolice officers escorted the cottage on Sunday, the city says. Someone isguardingit overnight. Brantford Power also disconnected and raised overhead lines.

Philpsays his heart is in his throat, but he's pleased with the deal overall.

"This kind of partnership between the development industry, the city and the historical society is a good model for how you can have new development and preserve the best of the past."

Dan McCreary, Ward 3 (north central) city councillor,hopes the cottage will beback on the road Tuesday.

"We have to make good on all the damages that have happened," he said, but he's feeling optimistic, too.

"It's a project that has a lot of vested interest."