Demolition of Manitou Street houses starts next week

Nipissing District Housing Corporation
News Release

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Work will begin next week on the demolition of a section of 18 empty townhouse units on Manitou Street in West Ferris. Some sidewalks will also be removed and the grounds restored. The buildings slated for demolition have been vacant for a couple of years because they are sinking and no longer safe for habitation.

The contractor, Colin’s Haulage, was awarded the demolition project and is waiting for a permit from the City early next week. Once that’s received, demolition will begin and is expected to take about eight weeks to complete. To ensure the safety of tenants, fencing will be installed around the demolition area.

“We’re pleased these buildings will be coming down soon,” says Judy Koziol, Chair of the Board of the Nipissing District Housing Corporation (NDHC). “As it stands now, these buildings are uninhabitable and only serve as a potential liability.”

The plan to rebuild 28 new units on the restored site is dependent on funding, and it’s not clear if or when that will happen.

“Both the NDHC and the District of Nipissing Social Services Administration Board (DNSSAB) would like to see new accommodations for our citizens,” says DNSSAB Chair, George Maroosis. “That would be dependent on what funds are available and the feasibility of building something new on this site. We’re also examining where the greatest need for housing is through our 10-Year Housing and Homelessness Plan which is nearly complete. All of these factors would need to be considered.”

The demolition offers a unique opportunity for the City’s Fire Department. Firefighter training is being coordinated with the contractor to take place the day the demolition begins.

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