‘Bring them down’

Closed: Wellington’s business association would like to use the windows of the now municipally owned buildings at the corner of Wharf and Main streets to promote activities, events and to showcase village artists.

Neighbouring property owner urges council to tear down the now-vacant buildings on Wellington main intersection

Ted Aman wants the former convenience store and pizza shop on Wellington main intersection flattened and gone. He wants it gone now. Aman owns the property that borders the now empty buildings on two sides. He spoke to a committee of council last week to encourage them tear down the structures immediately—before winter sets in.

The municipality purchased the properties last month to enable it to rehabilitate Lane Creek, which passes underneath. Previous plans called for rerouting the creek from under the privately held buildings. But when cost estimates topped $1.8 million, the County’s works department determined it would be cheaper to leave the creek where it was. But without an easement (a legal right to enter the property) and staring at a significant liability risk, the municipality concluded it could buy the buildings and still save a few hundred thousand dollars.

The deal to purchase the buildings closed at the end of August. The works department hoped to have the buildings removed by the end of September— to be replaced, once the creek work was completed, by a parking lot or a small park or both.

Residents and business owners objected to this plan. They argued that Wellington cannot afford another gap in its commercial core, that it contravened the newly finalized Secondary Plan, the document that defines planning goals for the village. Others say the loss of the corner store building will destroy a historic Main Street structure that has stood at Wellington’s main intersection for more than a century. They say it is unacceptable that the County sink $620,000 into these properties without a plan to recover some of these costs—by reselling it after the repairs to the creek are completed and a permanent easement established.

But Aman believes council is listening to the wrong people.

“I want the buildings brought down as soon as possible,” Aman told the committee. He is worried about rodents and racoons taking up residence in the building. He worries, too, the structure could become a safety and fire hazard if left unattended.

“I know this building inside out,” said the village butcher and abattoir operator.

“Old buildings left vacant go downhill quickly,” said Aman. He traced his family’s history on this corner of Wellington.

“If that building is historic, then my building is historic too,” said Aman. “It’s been an abattoir for more than 100 years.”

Aman believes someone should have come to talk to him about the plans for the property as he owns properties adjacent on two sides. He would like to see the property opened up, the creek revealed and six parking spots created.

One councillor asked the butcher how he felt about the building being moved to enable repairs and then replaced.

Aman scoffed at the notion. He wants the building down.

“You’ve only heard from artists,” said Aman before taking his seat.

DON’T DESTROY DOWNTOWN COMMERCIAL SPACE
Meanwhile, the Wellington and District Business Association (WDBA) says it is mistake to put a parkette or parking on this location.

“We do not want these buildings destroyed,” said Evan Nash, chair of the WDBA on behalf of its members. “If they can’t be restored, we want to see them replaced. The location must remain a commercial and residential centre of our community.”

The WDBA is also concerned about the empty buildings becoming an eyesore. They propose the municipality work with the business association and interested residents to clean up the exterior and make the main street windows available for wayfinding, advertising and art display.

The municipality’s Community Development department is arranging for public consultation regarding the future of these buildings and this intersection—tentatively set for next month, though no dates have yet been established.

SALVAGABLE
A structural engineer has taken an informal look at the buildings from underneath in recent days. He found the structure was in better condition than he expected. He noted the buildings were constructed in stages—that some sections are worse than others. He maintains the belief, after examining the underside, that the former convenience store building can and should be salvaged. He believes the building can be lifted and placed on a cribbing structure while work on the creek is completed. After proper footings are built, the building can be lowered back into place.

There is also growing informal interest in acquiring the buildings once it is restored.