'No signs of imminent collapse' before Hamilton buildings crumbled, says owner

The owner of two vacant buildings that crumbledinto a downtown Hamilton park says engineering reports had "indicated no signs of imminent collapse."

On Tuesday, Hughson Business Space Corporationand its managing partner, David Blanchard, said in a statement to CBC Hamilton that before the collapse, they had commissioned "regular" engineering reports to assess the buildings' integrity and recommend safety interventions.

"All recommendations were implemented," the statement said.

Hughson Business Space didn't specify when the most recent reports were issued, or the engineering firm it hired.

The company saidit hadworked closely with the City of Hamilton, "development partners" and consultants on a plan to demolish and conserve parts of the buildings to be approved by the city.

"Due to the city's heritage designation, scheduling and executing demolition was complex," the statementsaid.

WATCH | Mayor and city manager describe how officials will respond following collapse:

Hamilton officials say full review needed following downtown building collapse

7 days ago

Duration 0:50

The two King Street East buildings collapsed in the morning of Nov. 11, 2024, scattering rubble across Gore Park. No injuries were reported, but Mayor Andrea Horwath says it easily could've been a lot worse.

The historic buildings at 24 and 28 King St. E., fell apartearlyMonday morning, sending large blocks and debris tumbling into the street below.

City officials saidnobody was injured.

"I cringe at the thought of what could've happened had this devastating incident occurred [Sunday]," Mayor Andrea Horwath told reporters, referencing the Remembrance Day ceremoniesthat drew hundreds to Gore Park, and included a parade that passed by the buildings the day before the collapse.

In a statementTuesday, the city said initial building inspections showthe front portions of the brick buildings partially collapsed to the north and east.

It also said the site was"under the care and control of the owner and their contractors."

On Tuesday and Wednesday, demolition crewscould be seen operating excavators on the property.

City flagged concerns inJuly

Prior to the collapse, the citywas "actively monitoring" the properties with quarterly inspections, which is the city'susual practice,it said.

In July, Hamilton's building division issued the owneran order "to address specific concerns; however, compliance had not yet been achieved," the city said.

Last week, officials "initiated further enforcement actions to hold the property owner accountable to meet their obligations to maintain the safety and integrity of the building."

CBC Hamilton asked the city what specific violations were found in the last three years, what the outcomes were and whether the city issued any fines against the owneras a result. The city did not respond prior to publication.

The collapse "highlights the need for a review of enforcement processes and recommendations to prevent such incidents," Horwath said Monday.

Now, the city said it is working with the owner todeterminewhether further demolition is needed,beyond what remains of thestructures at 24 and 28 King St. E.

The city said it will make "make every effort to salvage and preserve any heritage features that can be safely retained, honouring the architectural significance of these historic buildings."

Heritage advocate alleges 'demolition by neglect'

Graham Carroll, vice-chair of the city's heritage committee, previously told CBC Hamilton that the buildings' owner was issued a heritage permit two years ago to dismantle and demolish certain aspects of the building facades, but nothing happened.

"That work should have been done long ago," he said Wednesday, speaking as a citizen and not on behalf of the committee.

"That's maddening."

Carroll called the collapse a very glaring example of "demolition by neglect" as the owner was supposed to take down and preserve some of the stone that has now collapsed.

"That's just not good citizenship," Carroll said, adding he believes it's important to preserve historic buildings to help people connect with the city's past.