Metrolinx is going to begin taking down 21 vacant building it owns along King and Main streets in Hamilton, starting with 1183 King St East on Dec. 3, 2020.

These vacant properties, which were originally purchased by the provincial transit agency for the former LRT project in Hamilton, are creating unsafe conditions in their east-end communities – and so a decision was made to take them down.

Despite the best efforts of Metrolinx and its contractors to secure these sites, they say the buildings are uninhabitable and have been broken in to and vandalized several times.

“In the case of one of the properties, the thieves were so determined they actually chiselled out a section of the brick wall in order to break in,” says Anne Marie Aikins, Metrolinx senior manager of media relations in the region. “It was like a scene out of a Hollywood style heist.”

Once inside, the thieves not only removed materials and items from the property but also cut electrical wires, discharged fire extinguishers and caused other damage to the building.

Metrolinx says among the 21 properties that were selected for demolition this year, there was evidence of some kind of criminal activity, drug use or fire hazards in all of them.

Aikins also explained the state of these buildings did not play a factor in to whether Metrolinx would purchase the properties or not – they were needed in order to widen the street to accommodate the former LRT project; they were purchased with the sole intention of being torn down.

However, despite that, the Metrolinx property management team still did some preliminary cost estimates to determine whether these 21 vacant buildings would be suitable for tenancy.

Initial inspections suggest asbestos, lead and other hazardous building materials are likely present throughout many of the properties. Given the extensive work needed to make them safe, it was anticipated the costs would be too high and prohibitive.

Notices that inform the community of the pending demolitions are now being delivered to residences and businesses in close proximity of the buildings. The deconstruction of these 21 buildings is expected to last until early next year.

Two other buildings will also be demolished – but not until 2021, as part of a separate contract.

Metrolinx is telling residents and businesses near the demolition sites to anticipate increased noise from excavators and other construction equipment between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. on weekdays. Workers will take a holiday break between Dec. 25 – Jan. 4, 2021.

Demolition contractors will abide by all City of Hamilton bylaws for dust mitigation to help minimize the impacts of dust. Additionally, a pest management plan is also being implemented. Any abatement of hazardous materials such as asbestos or lead has been dealt with by a licensed contractor and in accordance with provincial regulations. 

Once the work is complete, the sites will be cleared of all debris and backfilled to create a level surface. Where necessary, the properties will also be fenced off and secured.

All buildings and land acquired by Metrolinx will continue to be monitored by property management and security contractors.

As for the other 37 properties the transit agency owns along the former LRT corridor:  some are still occupied, others will soon be available for short-term commercial lease opportunities, while others have been the subject of discussion within the community.

During the course of those discussions, Metrolinx has said to the City Manager it is willing to listen and consider any proposals the City of Hamilton may bring forward in terms of their future use.

However, what ultimately happens to all of the 60 properties purchased for the former LRT project – depends on if they are required for a future rapid transit project.

Back in April, the Hamilton Transportation Task Force released a public report, recommending three specific higher-order transit projects that allow the Government of Ontario to keep its commitment of $1-billion in capital funding for transportation and transit projects in Hamilton.

They include:

• Light-Rail Transit;
• Bus-Rapid Transit; and,
• Commuter GO Rail.

Metrolinx is now working with Infrastructure Ontario to undertake further technical analysis on the proposed options included in the report.

The provincial transit agency promises to provide updates about the 21 vacant properties as more details become available.

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