Demolition of two downtown Hamilton buildings complete; adjoining building also in ‘imminent danger’ of collapse

The demolition of two downtown buildings across the street from Gore Park is done, with the adjoining buildings at 18-22 King St. E in “imminent danger of collapse,” with 22 King Street approved to be the next to face the wrecker’s ball.

All costs are being absorbed by the property owner.

A communications update to Hamilton Council by Steve Robichaud, the Acting General Manager of the city’s Planning and Economic Department, said the demolition of 24 and 28 King Street East has been completed. City staff have also asked the property owner to save important architectural elements from the buildings’ front facades.

The buildings have been owned by companies linked to developer David Blanchard over the years and Blanchard’s team said they will comply with the request “where it has been deemed safe to remove, separate and salvage these items.”

The buildings, located across the road from Hamilton’s Remembrance Day ceremony site, came down at 6:45 a.m. on November 11, just a few hours before the ceremony at the cenotaph. No injuries were reported and the ceremony went ahead as scheduled.

Robichaud said the ownership group hired a professional engineer to evaluate the remaining structures (18-20 King Street East and 22 King Street East) to determine impacts to public safety as a result of the building collapses and subsequent demolition of 24 and 28 King Street East.

The engineer submitted an assessment report of 22 King St. E., which showed that due to the removal/collapse of the wall dividing 22 and 24 King Street, the structure of 22 King Street has “moved considerably, is unstable and in imminent danger of collapse.”

The report recommends the full removal of the building and the city has approved the demolition in order to “prioritize the health and safety of the community.”

The city had issued multiple orders against Blanchard and his companies to bring his buildings up to standard, with the latest issued July 22. Compliance had not been achieved and Hamilton’s Building Division had been exploring progressive enforcement measures when the building collapsed.

The ownership group, which has assumed responsibility for the necessary actions to address the building’s safety issues, has agreed to cover all associated costs.

Ward 2 councillor Cameron Kroetsch is on record saying the buildings collapsed “due to neglect by its owners.”