Owner’s inaction leaves demolition of fire-gutted Dairy Queen to city hall
Fire ravaged and forgotten, the remains of a former Dairy Queen may soon have a date with the wrecking ball.
On Aug. 10, city officials issued a Property Standards Order to make the building at 421 Wharncliffe Road South safe — but due to inaction by the owner, civic administration now recommend the municipality demolish what remains at the owner’s expense.
“It’s dangerous. It’s a safety hazard,” says Coun. Shawn Lewis who noted gaps in a temporary construction fence and other signs that people have been entering the charred building.
He says there is no time for delay.
“Eventually we do recoup the cost of the demolition either through property taxes or through sale of the land,” adds Lewis.
Coun. Shawn Lewis, seen outside the fire-gutted Dairy Queen on 421 Wharncliffe Road South on Sept. 28, 2022, wants to speed up the demolition of derelict buildings. (Daryl Newcombe/CTV News London)
A pair of suspicious fires in December and July gutted the building.
According to a report to city council’s Community and Protective Services (CAPS) Committee, “The building is not considered a heritage resource, nor is it within a heritage district.”
Explaining that derelict building can blight neighbourhoods across the city, Lewis says when property owners refuse to take action, he’d like to see an accelerated process for municipal intervention.
“There are more buildings on the demolition list that we will see at the committee next week. To me the sooner we can get these dealt with the better,” he says.
London police say their investigation into the fires is ongoing.
The CAPS Committee will consider the demolition on Oct. 4.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Cisco reveals security breach, warns of state-sponsored spy campaign
State-sponsored actors targeted security devices used by governments around the world, according to technology firm Cisco Systems, which said the network devices are coveted intrusion points by spies.
I just don't get Taylor Swift
It's one thing to say you like Taylor Swift and her music, but don't blame CNN's AJ Willingham's when she says she just 'oesn't get' the global phenomenom.
Toxic testing standoff: Family leaves house over air quality
A Sherwood Park family says their new house is uninhabitable. The McNaughton's say they were forced to leave the house after living there for only a week because contaminants inside made it difficult to breathe.
Loud boom in Hamilton caused by propane tank, police say
A loud explosion was heard across Hamilton on Friday after a propane tank was accidentally destroyed and detonated at a local scrap metal yard, police say.
More than 115 cases of eye damage reported in Ontario after solar eclipse
More than 115 people who viewed the solar eclipse in Ontario earlier this month experienced eye damage after the event, according to eye doctors in the province.
Student anti-war protesters dig in as faculties condemn university leadership over calling police
Students protesting the Israel-Hamas war at at universities across U.S., some of whom have clashed with police in riot gear, dug in Saturday and vowed to keep their demonstrations going, while several school faculties condemned university presidents who have called in law enforcement to remove protesters.
'Do I ghost her again?': Quebec minister's office ignores questions on housing as a human right
The office of Quebec Housing Minister France-Élaine Duranceau prefers to openly ignore journalists' requests.
Decoy bear used to catch man who illegally killed a grizzly, B.C. conservation officers say
A man has been handed a lengthy hunting ban and fined thousands of dollars for illegally killing a grizzly bear, B.C. conservation officers say.
opinion RFK Jr.'s presidential candidacy and its potential threat to Biden and Trump
Although it's still unclear how much damage Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s candidacy can do to either Joe Biden or Donald Trump this election, Washington political columnist Eric Ham says what is clear is both sides recognize the potential threat.