.jpg;w=960)
One of North Bay's most notorious derelict structures could soon be razed to the ground.
Following the City of North Bay's issue of a request for quotes (RFQ), municipal officials will soon vote on approving a contract that would lead to the demolition the former Sands motel and a neighbouring building.
See original story: So long, Sands?
During Tuesday's regular meeting, North Bay City Council will act on a staff recommendation to award a nearly $150,000 demolition contract to Ed Seguin and Sons Trucking and Paving Ltd. for the demolition and disposal of the derelict buildings located at 358 and 366 McIntyre Street East, plus the restoration of the lots.
The City advises, "The cost to complete the work will be added to the tax roll against the identified properties in conformance with provisions outlined in the Building Code Act and will be recovered in the same manner as property taxes." Ontario Building Code Act 15.4.2(2) states "...the treasurer of the municipality may add the administrative penalty to the tax roll for any property in the municipality for which all of the registered owners are responsible for paying the administrative penalty, and collect it in the same manner as municipal taxes."
According to a report to council, the City issued the RFQ to demolish the buildings "in order to remedy an outstanding non-conformity with the Property Standards By-Law. An Order to Remedy the non-conformity was issued to the property owner in June of 2019. This order was appealed to the Property Standards Committee which confirmed the requirement to demolish the buildings located at 358 and 366 McIntyre Street East."
According to the Property Standards section of the Ontario Building Code Act, a municipality has the authority to act to ensure its property standards by-laws and orders are being satisfied.
Ontario Building Code Act 15.2(2)(b) states: "An officer who finds that a property does not conform with any of the standards prescribed in a by-law passed under section 15.1 may make an order, giving reasonable particulars of the repairs to be made or stating that the site is to be cleared of all buildings, structures, debris or refuse and left in a graded and levelled condition."
The initial deadline for demolition of May 2020 was pushed back to November 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to the City. When that deadline was not met, the City stepped in to "bring the property into conformity. The award of this contract will result in the removal of two vacant buildings that remain in a state of disrepair."
The report indicates the demolition process is imminent: "The City is expecting the contractor to begin work as soon as all required contract documents are completed."
The formal bid request, which garnered 23 quotes, closed February 17. The evaluation considered experience, ability and price, and according to the City, the quote from Sturgeon Falls-based Ed Seguin and Sons Trucking and Paving Ltd. "was the lowest bid and provides the best overall value to the City. Their bid is considered fair and reasonable."
