The demolition of two dilapidated buildings in downtown Tilbury should resume once structural issues with their neighbouring buildings are resolved.
The Municipality of Chatham-Kent said it is continuing its efforts to have demolition work at 47 and 49 Queen Street North in Tilbury completed after demolition activities at those sites were halted due to structural issues at 45 and 55 Queen Street.
Engineers determined further demolition work was unsafe because of the structural risks.
The municipality said it continues working the private owners of 45 and 55 Queen Street who are developing a plan to correct the structural concerns on those properties so that the demolition work can be completed.
"The Municipality has been in active communication with the owners’ insurer to confirm a plan to see 45 and 55 Queen Street remedied as soon as possible so that demolition work can proceed," said the municipality in a news release issued Monday afternoon. "On February 3, 2025, the owners’ insurer informed the Municipality that it has now received a necessary and anticipated engineers report setting out recommendations to address the structural issues. The insurer has advised it will now be reviewing that report and working with the owners to determine an appropriate plan for 45 and 55 Queen Street."
The municipality said demolition at 47 and 49 Queen Street cannot proceed until the buildings next door are stabilized and the danger of further collapse is remedied, adding safety protocols will be established and debris will be removed to accommodate the plans outlined by the insurer.
"Because of its prominent location in Downtown Tilbury, the Municipality recognizes the current unsightly nature of the site and has stressed the importance of the project moving quickly in its communications with the property ownership and their insurance provider," municipal officials noted.
The municipality said it received complaints in 2022 about a collapsing building at 47 and 49 Queen Street North and hired a structural engineer who confirmed there was a partially collapsed roof and structural failures, determining that the buildings were not fit for occupancy and required major repair or demolition.
The owner of 47 and 49 Queen was ordered to conduct a condition assessment and to make the necessary repairs, but that demand was unsuccessful and triggered the demolition.
Pre-existing structural defects of the walls at 45 and 55 Queen were noticed during demolition and the tear down was paused until the walls are stabilized.