Quote:
Originally Posted by ScottJ
Maybe it's 'physically' feasible, because the buildings aren't falling down -yet- but it's not economically feasible. Yes, there has been a lack of political will over the last 30 years to do anything about the situation, and as a result these buildings have rotted to their current state. The city took control of these buildings, asked developers if they could be rehabilitated, and everyone they talked to said that to renovate these buildings would require far more investment than could ever be made economically viable in a small town. This would include developers who have already renovated heritage buildings in Brantford.
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BS. I've talked to a few people and none of these buildings have been assessed by an engineer. None of them have been assessed for heritage value either. The decision to demolish them was rammed through without public consultation or debate.
You don't have to look to far to find smaller towns than Brantford that managed to restore their Victorian buildings. Just follow the Grand River north to places like Paris, Fergus and Elora. How about Perth or Chatham? The are many more examples right in Ontario.
Also: there are no plans to redevelop the land. The YMCA of Hamilton-Burlington-Brantford proposal is dead. Its main source of funding was rejected before it even got off the drawing board.