Alayne McGregor
This month, the city is set to remove 465 properties from its Heritage Register, which provides interim protection from demolition for properties of cultural heritage value or interest which have not been designated (a higher level of protection). This is about one-tenth of those on the current register.
The reason why: the province’s recent Bill 23, which changed the rules so that properties can only stay on the register two years instead of indefinitely. If those properties are still on the register after 2024, they will be removed and the city will not be able add them back on for five years. If the city removes them, it can add selected properties back on for another two years.
All the 465 properties are in suburban or rural wards, but the staff report to the Built Heritage Committee on February 12 says this is the first of at least three removal batches, organized by ward. Staff are also moving to designate their highest-priority properties on the register under the Ontario Heritage Act.
Last month, City Council designated 290 City Centre Avenue (the W.C. Edwards Building) and 315 Lisgar Street (The Bible House).
It’s expected to redesignate the Ottawa Water Works complex this month. See the story in the January 2024 BUZZ.