Following a decision of Council on September 10, 2013, the former Kingsway Hotel located at 507 Kingsway and owned by the City of Greater Sudbury, has been scheduled for demolition starting the week of January 6, 2014. The total cost of demolition is $118,500, funded from reserves.

It is anticipated that it will take approximately three weeks to demolish the structure and to remove salvage materials. Environmental clean-up is expected to begin in the spring.

A fence will be put up around the site to ensure safety during demolition. The fence will remain up until the spring, when the work will be completed.

Once demolition and clean up is complete, the City will have the option of declaring the property surplus or for sale.

Background:

The Kingsway Hotel was built in 1958. In 2006, the building was converted into apartments. Shortly after, part of the building sustained damage in a fire. In 2009, the City condemned the building after finding it to be unsafe under regulations outlined in the Ontario Fire Code and the Ontario Building Code.

In 2010, after 4 years of tax arrears, the City placed a lien on the property. In September and November of 2011, the City conducted public tax sales, under the Municipal Act. No bids were received in either sale. At this time the City vested the property and directed staff to oversee to the demolition of the building and proceed with the environmental clean-up of the property.