Council is looking to do whatever it can to get some cooperation with the owner of the Paul Martin building -- the federal government.
The building has been surrounded by scaffolding for years. It’s in needs of repair and federal officials admit that removing the scaffolding would be unsafe, but they’ve written the city stating they have no intention of repairing the building
Mayor Eddie Francis estimates it would cost $15 million to bring the building up to snuff.
Local representatives agree the building is an important landmark, but city councillor Drew Dilkens says the building has some serious baggage.
“It’s a great looking building, heritage building, designated by the feds themselves, and we're just hoping they step up to the plate and do what's right," he says.
Public works currently pays a hoarding fee of just over $2,500 annually to line the surrounding sidewalks with scaffolding.
However, by July 2, the city will begin charging the feds a hoarding fee of more than $25,000 encroachment fee.
Dilkens supports the punitive measure.
“If you're going to have scaffolding out on the main street for going on four years now, then we need you to pay an encroachment fee because it's not a temporary structure anymore."
Meanwhile, as the city wrangles with the owners of an old downtown building, council has agreed to the designs of new development.
The storefront gap in the 400 block of Ouellette Avenue, left after a fire in 2011, may soon be home to a four storey high-end restaurant, nightclub and roof-top patio which will hang over the sidewalk.
Also, council agreed to a $25,000 pre-commitment in next year’s budget for the Snow Angel Program.
The program assists residents over the age of 65, or those with disabilities, with their snow removal needs.
The money will be used to fund a temporary city coordinator for programs as well as promotional material and program rewards for volunteers.
