Letter to Minister Chan Re Brantford Demolition

Friday, June 4, 2010

The Honourable Michael Chan
Minister of Tourism and Culture
Province of Ontario

Re: Colborne Street, Brantford

Dear Minister:

Last evening a report was submitted to the South Side of Colborne Street Task Force of Brantford City Council by UEM consulting, outlining the status of the Environmental Screening of the the south side of Colborne Street as required for the funding by FedDev Ontario of $ 1.38 million, copy attached. It raises a number of issues:

FedDev has requested an “analysis that contemplates all alternative options for the development of the south side of Colborne Street, including consideration of options other than demolition.” FedDev has expressed a number of concerns:

Heritage:

FedDev has requested a detailed Heritage Impact Assessment consistent with, among other things, “the Ontario Ministry of Tourism and Culture’s Toolkit for the Evaluation of Properties.”

Archaeology:

FedDev has requested that “A stage II Archaeological Assessment” be undertaken, and that the work plan for this be developed in consultation with, and approved by the Ministry of Tourism and Culture.

There is more, included in the documents attached. But without question, FedDev has determined that there are significant heritage and archaeological issues here, and will not release any funding without these issues being resolved. In the face of this, a motion is being brought to City Council on Monday night that reads, among other things,

Whereas, the City has already committed itself to the demolition of the buildings on the south side of Colborne Street, irrespective of the receipt of funding from the Federal Government, ...the City shall proceed without any dependence or reliance on the receipt of the grant monies from the Federal Government.

These bylaws will be brought to Council on Monday “due to the safety concerns of the buildings remaining vacant any longer.”

Minister, I implore you to issue a Stop Work order at this time. The sixty day hold will ensure that the demolition is delayed until after the municipal election, which will be a referendum on the demolition; a decision by the citizens instead of this group that refuses to listen to reason or entertain any opportunities that would revitalize Colborne Street.

The information is our hands is sufficient to confirm that these buildings are worthy of at least, at minimum, further study, if not outright listing and even designation. To allow six out of eleven councillors to vote to remove them in the face of such information, so close to an election, is beyond comprehension. The documents clearly contain sufficient information to determine that this is a matter of Provincial interest.

I attach the report to the Committee, the draft of the resolutions to Council. They speak for themselves.
Regards,

Lloyd Alter B.Arch, OAA, TSA

President, Architectural Conservancy of Ontario

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