So long, Sands?

Once considered a social hot spot for couples, one of North Bay's most notorious urban eyesores could soon have a date of a different kind — with a demo team. 

The City of North Bay has issued a request for quotations for the demolition of two structures on downtown properties — the former Sands Motel and Library Lounge at 366 McIntyre St. E and a small house located to the north and adjacent to the Sands property at 358 McIntyre St. E.   

The motel had fallen on hard times for several years before ending up abandoned and left to decay to its current state. Plans to renovate the existing rooms into apartments or condo units fell through and calls from the public to raze the structure for safety and fire prevention reasons are now being answered by the City.

See related story: Well known Inn could soon be converted into condos as part of multi-million dollar project

And: Reno work on Sands Motel temporarily on hold

The City of North Bay is inviting quotations to be submitted electronically from qualified demolition companies until February 17. Site visits requested by interested parties will be scheduled this week with a deadline for questions about the project set for next week. The City lists March 10 as the signing date of the agreement, following an evaluation and bidding process.

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 City does not own the properties in question and is proceeding with the demolitions as issued property standards orders have now expired. According to Ontario Building Code Act 15.4.2(2), the owners of the properties will be billed for the demolition expenses and, failing payment, have any unpaid balance added to their municipal property taxes:

"...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."

In late 2020, North Bay City Council passed an incentive program designed to encourage property owners to clean up lots with vacant or derelict buildings. Although the McIntyre properties ultimately did not benefit from the program, in discussions around the Council table, there appeared to be a legitimate interest in seeing the rebates act as an incentive for property owners of derelict buildings to act.

"They lower property values, which lowers assessment for the City. They lower investor confidence. They impact tourism," stated Robertson last November. "We know that they result in higher rates of crime — in particular arson. We know from many studies they have an impact on health indicators for people who live in the communities in which these vacant and derelict buildings are found."