Portion of crumbling, historic Port Hope factory to be torn down
Former Nicholson File structure built in 1850s designated as heritage site
With public safety in mind, Port Hope council agreed to issue a demolition permit during a special meeting of council this week, allowing for one of the town’s heritage buildings to be partially torn down.
The Nicholson File Factory, located on Cavan Street in the town, is a historic brick structure dating back more than 170 years.
It lines the Ganaraska River, north of the downtown. Though the factory has been mostly vacant for decades, it was purchased four years ago by investors seeking to develop it as a trendy condo building and brewery.
There have been few visible improvements to the structure since. Last month, concern was raised when part of a brick façade crashed down onto Cavan Street. Municipal workers were directed to block a section of the street while the town and the building’s owners sought to remedy the situation.
After deliberation this week, council approved a Heritage Permit allowing the demolition of Block 2 of the structure, located at 121 Cavan St.
The decision came with conditions as council directed staff to incorporate provisions in the permit that authorizes a municipally contracted engineer to oversee the demolition process.
This oversight aims to ensure compliance with the heritage permit and to prevent the demolition of areas deemed nonthreatening to public safety by the municipally contracted structural engineer.
While demolition work is expected to occur soon, specific timelines were not established. Once the site is deemed safe, Cavan Street will then be reopened.
The factory is designated as a heritage property under Part IV of the Ontario Heritage Act as the building — including the façade — are considered heritage features of the property. Under the Act, removing any part of the heritage characteristics on a designated property requires council approval.
Block 2 of the building, where the partial collapse occurred, was constructed in 1853 and represents the oldest section of the factory.
In the staff report, it states that Port Hope building services was contacted by a resident on Feb. 6 who reported bricks falling from the western wall of 121 Cavan St. The town moved in the same day to close the northbound lanes of the street over safety concerns.
In the weeks since, inspectors were called in to assess the structure of the building and on March 7, Port Hope’s chief building official issued an emergency order calling for immediate action to make the building safe.