Stabilizing Magee House will likely take weeks, city says

Eight months after Magee House partially collapsed along busy Wellington Street W., city staff say stabilizing the 19th-century stone building will likely take weeks and possibly months.

The westwall of the building crumbled last July, and since then a chain-link fence has blocked access to the sidewalk and on-street parking spots in front of the property.

John Buck, the city's deputy chief building official, told thebuilt heritage committee Tuesdaythat a permit was issuedlast week to allow constructionto resumeat the Hintonburg site withthe hopeof eventually reopening the sidewalk.

That work could start in a matter of days.

The permit covers only the first stage of restoration securing the skeleton of the building so it doesn't pose a threat to the public or neighbouring businesses.

"The engineer has agreed to phase the work appropriately such that the sidewalk and road can be opened as soon as possible," Buck told the committee.

Once the building is stabilized, the sidewalk would only need overhead protection for pedestrians.

Could take weeks or months to complete

When pressed for a timeline for the completion of the first phase, Buck replied that progress will partly dependon the weather.

"Roughly it's a matter of weeks and months, hopefully," said Buck."I would suggest it won't be a few days. It will be a matter of weeks."

• Reopen sidewalk near Magee House, businesses urge

• Magee House to stay standing for now

• 'My neighbour saved my life': Architect recounts partial building collapse

Nearby businesseshave complained about the lack of progress at the site, as well as the perimeter fencing that prohibits pedestrians from using that side of the street.

Buck saida few more building permits would be required to get the building up to a habitable condition.

Staff are continuing to work with the building's owner,Ovidio Sbrissa, on reconstruction and redevelopment. Any changes to the property would require a heritage permit.