COULD BE DEMOLISHED
The former Parish Centre in North Sydney, which once was home to over 300 Western Union Cable Office employees, could be demolished.
The process is underway for the demolition of the former parish centre on Court Street in North Sydney, a building that once housed the Western Union Cable office.
“I’ve awarded the contracts for the demolition and for the removal of asbestos which has to be done before the building can come down,” said owner Gerard Dugas, who bought the property in 1988.
“I’ve gone as far as I can with this. What will stop this process, and I’ve included it in the contract, is if someone comes forward with $100,000 to purchase the building by the time the contractor is ready to start. I really have no other choice. This is progress, but not the kind that I want.”
If the building comes down, Dugas plans to sell the lots and expects the property could be developed as residential.
“It’s a key lot — it’s close to the ferry, and to the downtown,” he said. “The biggest worry I have, and the reason why something has to be done, is because the outside is falling apart. It has become a safety concern.”
The building, which towers over properties on Court Street and neighbouring Archibald Avenue, has been boarded up since 1996.
“I had three people show an interest in buying the building. I contacted the three of them, but none got back to me,” he said. “I’ve been maintaining this building for 28 years, the first six at a pretty heavy cost. Considering my age, I can’t do this anymore.”
Dugas hosted a meeting in late June at the Clansman Motel in North Sydney, and following the meeting was optimistic about the building’s future.
“It takes about two weeks to get a demolition permit. I’m meeting with the contractors early in the week in North Sydney to finalize both the demolition and the asbestos removal,” Dugas said.
“I don’t know what more I can do. I invited people from the regional municipality to a meeting, and no one showed up. I’ve also contacted MP Mark Eyking’s office and was referred to ACOA. But there doesn’t seem to be the interest to do something with the building.”
Referring to the history of the three-storey structure, Dugas said he feels it is a steal at $100,000.
“With such a focus on tourism these days, it would make a nice bed and breakfast, or there could be other possible developments. But, at this point I have no alternative but to look at demolition.”
Dugas said there seems to be interest in preserving the building, but no one with the money or the risk-taking ability has yet
“I don’t know what more I can do. I invited people from the regional municipality to a meeting, and no one showed up. I’ve also contacted MP Mark Eyking’s office and was referred to ACOA. But there doesn’t seem to be the interest to do something with the building.” Owner Gerard Dugas
to come forward.
During the First and Second World Wars confidential information for government officials in Ottawa and Washington passed regularly through the Western Union Cable Office in North Sydney.
The first official notification that the First World War was coming to an end was received at the Western Union office sometime in the early morning hours of Nov. 10, 1918, at which time more than 300 people worked there around the clock.
“As an individual I’ve taken this as far as I can go,” said the 66-year-old. “My opportunity time has passed. I think the building has a viable future, particularly with respect to tourism. If it were to be developed, it could be another reason for people to stay in the downtown.”