Abandoned building to be demolished for public safety

The City of Orillia’s Abandoned Properties Project Team has identified 116 Colborne St. E. for demolition Monday Oct. 7, 2013.

The house at 116 Colborne St. E. has been vacant since 2001 and the building has deteriorated significantly. During this time, City staff have boarded up windows and entrances in attempts to make the house secure.

In April 2013, the City’s Chief Building Official (CBO) placed an Unsafe Order on 116 Colborne St. E. The Building Code Act allows the CBO to place an Unsafe Order on a building felt to be a danger to the health of an individual in or around the building. Numerous attempts have been made to contact the owner of 116 Colborne St. E., who claims not to own the building. In July 2013, the City hired a structural engineer from Steenhof Building Services Group to survey the building; the building was deemed beyond repair and recommended for demolition.

What:  Demolition of 116 Colborne St. E.

When:  Monday Oct. 7, 2013
9:30 a.m.

Where:  116 Colborne St. E
Orillia, Ont.
L3V 1V2

The City of Orillia is proactively inspecting properties with abandoned buildings throughout the City to enforce relevant legislation and ensure public safety. The City’s Abandoned Properties Project Team, formally established by Council in August 2013, is currently monitoring 23 abandoned buildings within city limits.

Abandoned buildings present hazards to the safety of the public, emergency services and enforcement personnel. In the last 10 years, the Orillia Fire Department has responded to eight severe fires in abandoned buildings. Abandoned buildings attract illegal activities and create a negative image of Orillia for residents, visitors, and business investors.

The City of Orillia is a city of 30,586 people in the heart of Central Ontario on the shores of Lake Couchiching and Lake Simcoe. Visit our website at orillia.ca.

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Kelly Smith
Chief Building Official
705-325-2214
ksmith@orillia.ca

Jennifer Ruff
Manager of Communications
705-325-8929
705-238-9209 (cell)
jruff@orillia.ca