Building official hopeful that work to fix buildings compromised in Tilbury demolition can begin soon

Building officials in Chatham-Kent say they're hopeful work can soon begin to fix compromisedbuildings and complete a demolition on other buildings alonga stretch of the community's main drag that locals have called an eyesore for nearly a year.

The process to demolish two buildings on Queen Street, 47 Queen Street and 49 Queen Street, startedlast year.

But engineers were in for a discovery: The two buildings shared supportive walls with the buildings on either side, 45 Queen Street and 55 Queen Street and there was damage on at least one shared wall. That halted the demolition and prompted residents and businesses to evacuate.

Ever since, the hole where they buildings were has remained.

"There's no way to get in and out of this town without looking at this eyesore," said Tilbury resident David Carrick, who has lived in town for 42 years and says he's "disappointed" in what he sees.

The ordeal started in 2022 when the town deemed the privately owned building unsafe and undertook action to correct it, eventually ordering the demolition. Because it was a large demolition, it required an engineering report, which deemed it safe.

When the building removal was going as planned, the building official on site noticed existing damage, said Paul Lacina, the chief building official for the Municipality of Chatham-Kent. They also observed the interior buildings' walls may be integral to supporting the structure.

"It was apparent a portion of 55 Queen Street was sharing the same wall as 49," he said.

When the damage was uncovered, the municipality helped facilitate the relocating of the tenants who live in 45 and 55, and worked to find them alternate housing in the area.

About 15 people and two businesses were impacted, and those residents now live in Leamington, around Chatham-Kent and in Windsor.

But residents say it's been over a year, with piles of debris and bricks remaining and the area fenced off. Many met at a meeting about the issue Wednesday night.

"It's been almost a year. It's on our main street and it's been an eyesore that is ranking among almost the highest issue that we have going in town," said Kathy Cottingham, who helped organize the meeting on Wednesday.

Cottingham and others have also raised safety concerns with the fencing around the property blocking access to the sidewalk, which they say posesa challenge for residents with mobility issues.

Melissa Harrigan is the councillor representing the area and said residents are rightfully frustrated with the state of the buildings.

"The concerns are very real ...That being said, I think it's important to note that while the aesthetic is not great, while not having access to the sidewalk is not great, safety is the number one priority for the steps that they're taking in the building," she said. "We all have to make sure ... that the the safest activities are taking place in the safest plan is out there for us to move forward."

Lacina says they're now working with engineers, the owners of 55 and 45 Queen Street and the demolition company to get the situation resolved.

"The main focus of the municipality and all parties involved is to get both buildings [at 45 and 55 Queen Street]structurally stable," Lacina said.

One of the neighbouring business owners told CBC News he's waiting for more information from his insurance company on next steps. The municipality says it is hopeful insurance companies will pay for the stabilization efforts.

But Lacina says work will begin in the next few weeksto shore up the outer walls of the buildings, and the demolition of the middle buildings will proceed.

"We suspect, based on the recommendations from the engineers reports, that it will last a month or two to get the repairs made in order to structurally make the with both buildings structurally sound," he said.

"When that is structurally stable, the demolition can continue and oncethe demolition is completed, then the tenants who reside at 45 and 55, it's our hope that they can move back in."