Hamilton to apply more scrutiny to deteriorating buildings following downtown collapse

As the fallout over fallen buildings in Gore Park continues, Hamilton officials will be turning their attention to other properties.

Mayor Andrea Horwath said the buildings that crumbled on Nov. 11 show "a complete failure of processes."

She moved a motion at the city's General Issues Committee on Tuesday, which directs staff to review the recent collapses, and to list other buildings across the city flagged for issues including safety concerns and bylaw enforcement.

The motion also calls on staff to review how those standards are being enforced, identify gaps and recommend policy changes within the first quarter of 2025. 

"I don't see buildings falling [down] in every city around us. That doesn't seem to be the case, so there's something not right in the city of Hamilton, when it comes to how we address these kinds of situations," Horwath said.

"This city can and must do better."

The motion, which passed 16-0, will need to be confirmed at a city council meeting.

The two vacant historic buildings that fell at 24 and 28 King St. E. showed "no signs of imminent collapse," said its owner, Hughson Business Space Corporation, and its managing partner, David Blanchard, following the incident.

City inspectors had flagged unsafe conditions at the vacant buildings for nearly two years and issued orders for the owners to repair the deteriorating roof, but that work was never done. As CBC Hamilton previously reported, the owners appealed the order, saying structural engineers advised the roof was too unsafe to work on.

Since the collapse, workers have begun demolishing the buildings, as well as the neighbouring structures.

Over the course of the Wednesday committee meeting, councillors asked city staff about the enforcement of property standards, and how the city protects the public from unsafe buildings.

Coun. Brad Clark (Ward 9) asked why the sidewalk in front of the buildings was never cordoned off. Director of building Rob Lalli responded that there was no requirement to do so under the Ontario Building Code.

"One would think that if there is a risk there, we would be protecting the public from the risk," he said.

Steve Robichaud, Hamilton's acting general manager of planning and economic development, told councillors that city reports did not indicate the buildings were unsafe and in need of removal prior to Nov. 11. Rather, he said, they called for their stabilization.