Do whatever you can to buy Century Manor, group tells city

A group fighting to save Century Manor a grand three-storey mansionand one of the few remaining buildingsfrom the old Hamilton Asylum for the Insane wants the city to step up its efforts to buy the land.

I'd rather have control of the lands and control of their future rather than putting it in somebody else's hands.- Terry Whitehead, Ward 8 councillor

Century Manor Task Force 2, led by local heritage advocate Patricia Saunders, is appealing to city council to "do everything in your power to convince our provincial officials, including the premier, that the City of Hamilton should be the rightful owners of this provincial property," she said in a letter.

The task force fears that Infrastructure Ontario (IO) current owner of the 1884 building is committing "demolition by neglect." The building hasbeen empty for 20 years, and the province hasdenied volunteersa look inside.

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The manor sits near the escarpment brow onSt. Joseph's Healthcare's West 5th campus. Over the years, the heritage buildinghas houseda treatment program for alcoholics, a forensic psychiatry program, and a treatment program and school for adolescents.

Last year, local developer Steve Kulakowsky said he wanted to make it student housing for Mohawk College.

Council will either receive or act on Saunders's letter at a Wednesday council meeting. Terry Whitehead, Ward 8 councillor, says he's open to the suggestion. The city is already investigating buyingthe lands.

"I'd rather have control of the lands and control of their future rather than putting it in somebody else's hands," he said.

"They're premium lands. Whether we look at green space or different amenities or a jump-off point for future transportation, it could be a whole series of things."

IO said Tuesday that it's talking tonot-for-profits or other level of government as "part of the normal disposition process."

If one of thosewantthe building, it says, Century Manor will bea direct sale at market value.If not, it will be sold on the open market.

samantha.craggs@cbc.ca | @SamCraggsCBC