Metrolinx set to demolish 21 Hamilton properties starting today
- Michael Kras
- 03 Dec 2020
Hamilton residents lining King Street East have been alerted that demolition on 21 vacant properties lining the strip is set to begin today, December 3rd.
The neighbours of 9 of the 21 properties in question have hand-delivered notices in advance of the first demolition, which will begin with 1183 King Street East.
Just got this email from Metrolinx. Really wish that our governments would redefine "community safety" and support the retrofitting of these buildings to provide housing. #HamOnt pic.twitter.com/m75879fJ49
— Cameron Kroetsch (@CameronKroetsch) December 2, 2020
The demolition is at the hands of transit company Metrolinx, who originally purchased the empty properties to make way for Hamilton’s Light Rail Transit project; a project which was unceremoniously pulled by Ontario’s transportation minister late last year.
In spite of LRT’s uncertain future, Metrolinx is nonetheless moving ahead with the demolition, expressing that the standing buildings currently pose safety concerns including fire hazards.
The decision to do so has drawn ample criticism from Hamilton residents and local housing advocates, who would have rather seen the properties repurposed to help address the city’s pressing, ongoing affordable housing crisis.
However, Metrolinx pushed back on the idea, stating that the buildings are in a state of too much disrepair and would be too costly to restore for residential purposes.
They added that many of the buildings show signs of asbestos, lead, and other hazardous materials, and that each one of the 21 properties shows some evidence of criminal activity, drug use, and fire hazard.
The entire demolition project is expected to be completed by the middle of February 2021, and will be done in batches.
Read more on the Metrolinx website.
Lead image courtesy of Metrolinx
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