Developer ordered to fix up Lowertown building, pay City of Ottawa

A developer has to stabilize parts of a Lowertown building, demolish other parts, and pay the City of Ottawa, according to a court order handed down earlier this month.

A memo was sent out on Friday by city solicitor Rick OConnor detailing the consent order issued on Nov. 13 regarding the building that sits at the intersection of Cumberland and Murray streets.

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The former schoolhouseat 287 Cumberland St. is unstable and an engineer's report has previously explained it could topple into the street. Itis one of many buildings the Claude Lauzon groupowns in the area, which is dotted with heritage homes and designated heritage districts. The building has been vacant since 1970.

The owner's engineering firm had recommendedthe buildingbe demolished, but it is a heritage building and the landlord would need city council's permission to demolish it under the Heritage Act.

The court has now ordered Lauzon to stabilize, retain and protect the west and south walls and the buildings foundation. The developer must also demolish the remaining parts of the building and level, finish and secure the rest of the building site.

That includes removing barricades so roads and sidewalks around the building can be reopened.

Work must be done by Christmas

All this work must be carried out under the direction of structural engineer, John Cooke, and needs to be finished by Dec. 23, just one month away.

Lauzon must also pay the City of Ottawa $140,000 for legal costs and city expenses during this spat over the building.

Lauzons lawyer has previously said the developer has owned the Cumberland Street building for 32 years. He has also questioned the heritage status of the building.

This debate over 287 Cumberland and 207-209 Murray St. has also raised the issue of protecting derelict buildings in Ottawa, which mayor Jim Watsonbelieves needs improvement.