Historic Charlottetown log house is coming down, piece by piece
City says owner could face fines for demolishing heritage structure without proper authorization
The owner of a historic Charlottetown log house has begun taking it apart, piece by piece.
Ray Campbell couldn't find a company that would insure the home, and a recent study concluded it needed major renovations to make it livable.
Campbell and the city had been debating the issue for months.
Building has heritage status
The building is believed to date to the 1840s. It has heritage status and the city wanted to preserve it.
Campbell said Monday the city didn't give him any options, and he started work to dismantle it.
"They didn't give me an out," he said. "I offered to take it down and put it in a container — that's no good [to them]."
Penalties 'significant'
The city had previously said Campbell would have to apply to have the heritage status revoked in order to tear it down.
Coun. Greg Rivard told CBC last week the penalties would be significant if Campbell demolished the building without going through that process.
"If we take him to court and he is guilty, the fines are significant, according to our bylaw," Rivard said July 16.
Campbell said he had no choice.
"If I don't do something, I'll be bankrupt. My hands are tied as far as doing business goes. It's a liability. I have no insurance. The city doesn't seem to care about that."
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With files from Brittany Spencer