'No signs of imminent collapse' before Hamilton buildings crumbled, says owner
City says owner had not complied with order from building division before collapse on Monday
The owner of two vacant buildings that crumbled into a downtown Hamilton park says engineering reports had "indicated no signs of imminent collapse."
On Tuesday, Hughson Business Space Corporation and its managing partner, David Blanchard, said in a statement to CBC Hamilton that before the collapse, they had commissioned "regular" engineering reports to assess the buildings' integrity and recommend safety interventions.
"All recommendations were implemented," the statement said.
Hughson Business Space didn't specify when the most recent reports were issued, or the engineering firm it hired.
The company said it had worked closely with the City of Hamilton, "development partners" and consultants on a plan to demolish and conserve parts of the buildings to be approved by the city.
"Due to the city's heritage designation, scheduling and executing demolition was complex," the statement said.
WATCH | Mayor and city manager describe how officials will respond following collapse:
The historic buildings at 24 and 28 King St. E., fell apart early Monday morning, sending large blocks and debris tumbling into the street below.
City officials said nobody was injured.
"I cringe at the thought of what could've happened had this devastating incident occurred [Sunday]," Mayor Andrea Horwath told reporters, referencing the Remembrance Day ceremonies that drew hundreds to Gore Park, and included a parade that passed by the buildings the day before the collapse.
In a statement Tuesday, the city said initial building inspections show the front portions of the brick buildings partially collapsed to the north and east.
It also said the site was "under the care and control of the owner and their contractors."
On Tuesday and Wednesday, demolition crews could be seen operating excavators on the property.
City flagged concerns in July
Prior to the collapse, the city was "actively monitoring" the properties with quarterly inspections, which is the city's usual practice, it said.
In July, Hamilton's building division issued the owner an order "to address specific concerns; however, compliance had not yet been achieved," the city said.
Last week, officials "initiated further enforcement actions to hold the property owner accountable to meet their obligations to maintain the safety and integrity of the building."
CBC Hamilton asked the city what specific violations were found in the last three years, what the outcomes were and whether the city issued any fines against the owner as a result. The city did not respond prior to publication.
The collapse "highlights the need for a review of enforcement processes and recommendations to prevent such incidents," Horwath said Monday.
Now, the city said it is working with the owner to determine whether further demolition is needed, beyond what remains of the structures at 24 and 28 King St. E.
The city said it will make "make every effort to salvage and preserve any heritage features that can be safely retained, honouring the architectural significance of these historic buildings."
Heritage advocate alleges 'demolition by neglect'
Graham Carroll, vice-chair of the city's heritage committee, previously told CBC Hamilton that the buildings' owner was issued a heritage permit two years ago to dismantle and demolish certain aspects of the building facades, but nothing happened.
"That work should have been done long ago," he said Wednesday, speaking as a citizen and not on behalf of the committee.
"That's maddening."
Carroll called the collapse a very glaring example of "demolition by neglect" as the owner was supposed to take down and preserve some of the stone that has now collapsed.
"That's just not good citizenship," Carroll said, adding he believes it's important to preserve historic buildings to help people connect with the city's past.
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With files from Saira Peesker and Samatha Beattie