Hamilton city report recommends demolition for industrial complex

A new report under review by the City of Hamilton is recommending that Cannon Knitting Mills be demolished, citing safety concerns.

The report indicates the property on Cannon Street held multiple buildings built between 1866 and 1927. City staff say both heritage and fire prevention departments were consulted and deemed it unsafe.

City Hall argues that demolition is the best course of action in order to ensure the risk of harm is minimized as much as possible at the 170-year-old property.

Prolonged neglect and deterioration were listed as posing a risk to public safety.

According to city staff, the property owner has been unable or unwilling to make necessary repairs.

The report also states the chief building official is authorized to take any steps necessary to make the property safe again, even if it means demolition.

A full demolition of the building could cost more than $800,000, plus up to 30 per cent of the cost for a contingency fund if the costs exceed a million dollars.

Plans for demolition can happen without council approval.

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There were four options offered in the report — including saving or stabilizing some of the buildings on the property — but city staff say protocol prioritizes public safety.

Mixed opinions were shared at Tuesday’s Planning Committee Meeting, with one person saying the city should pay a lesser amount to temporarily stabilize the building until plans are made certain.

“If you are going to do anything, stabilize it as soon as possible. The stabilization costs are less then demolition charges and you can not go back from demolition. You can go anywhere from stabilization,” says Carol Priamo, arts and heritage consultant with CP Designworks.

Public delegates revealed the owner of the property is Harry Stinson of Stinson Hospitality Real Estate.

Last Friday, the Ontario Securities Commission released a statement saying they’ve filed a bankruptcy order against Stinson and want to appoint a trustee over his assets.

This is connected to a a debt of more than $13 million tied to a hotel redevelopment in Buffalo, N.Y.

CHCH News has reached out to Stinson but has yet to hear back.

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