Neon sign on Vancouver's Balmoral Hotel removed due to safety risk
The neon sign that hung outside of Vancouver's Balmoral Hotel was removed Sunday but plans to demolish the building itself are still being sorted out, according to the City of Vancouver.
Announcing the plan Friday, a spokesperson for the city said the sign's condition has deteriorated to the point where it poses a "risk of injury to the public."
People were warned to expect minor traffic delays and sidewalk closures along East Hastings Street between Main and Columbia while crews were working.
The building has been empty since 2017, when it was condemned as unsafe for the 150 people who lived there following years of enforcement and legal action by the city due to its derelict conditions and persistent health and safety hazards. It was owned by the Sahota family, landlords infamous for the dangerous state of neglect in their buildings, particularly those housing the most vulnerable tenants.
In 2020, it was expropriated by the city and its demolition was announced earlier this year.
"The decades of underinvestment and mismanagement by the building’s previous owners was irreversible," a statement from the city in February said.
"It became clear that the building has deteriorated to the point that it poses a danger to the public and adjacent buildings."
However, the announcement that the sign is being removed does not contain any further details on the demolition process.
"Staff are continuing to monitor the building’s condition as they plan for the demolition, including hazardous materials abatement and civil site work. Given the age, complexity, and condition of the building, removing the building will take several months to complete," the statement says.
In addition to the technical complexity of tearing down the building, the city spokesperson says the building there is an emotional and historical complexity that has to be considered.
"The city also recognizes that the Balmoral, prior to its closure, was a site of harm and trauma to many and that the demolition of this building will have emotional impact for former residents and their families, friends and community," the statement continues.
Therefore, it says, plans will also include outreach and planning to ensure "respectful, healing and culturally appropriate support and ceremony for community through the actual building demolition and redevelopment process."
The city has promised the site will be redeveloped with affordable housing.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'They needed people inside Air Canada:' Police announce arrests in Pearson gold heist
Police say one former and one current employee of Air Canada are among the nine suspects that are facing charges in connection with the gold heist at Pearson International Airport last year.
House admonishes ArriveCan contractor in rare parliamentary show of power
MPs enacted an extraordinary, rarely used parliamentary power on Wednesday, summonsing an ArriveCan contractor to appear before the House of Commons where he was admonished publicly and forced to provide answers to the questions MPs said he'd previously evaded.
Leafs star Auston Matthews finishes season with 69 goals
Auston Matthews won't be joining the NHL's 70-goal club this season.
Trump lawyers say Stormy Daniels refused subpoena outside a Brooklyn bar, papers left 'at her feet'
Donald Trump's legal team says it tried serving Stormy Daniels a subpoena as she arrived for an event at a bar in Brooklyn last month, but the porn actor, who is expected to be a witness at the former president's criminal trial, refused to take it and walked away.
Why drivers in Eastern Canada could see big gas price spikes, and other Canadians won't
Drivers in Eastern Canada face a big increase in gas prices because of various factors, especially the higher cost of the summer blend, industry analysts say.
Doug Ford calls on Ontario Speaker to reverse Queen's Park keffiyeh ban
Ontario Premier Doug Ford is calling on Speaker Ted Arnott to reverse a ban on keffiyehs at Queen's Park, describing the move as “needlessly” divisive.
'A living nightmare': Winnipeg woman sentenced following campaign of harassment against man after online date
A Winnipeg woman was sentenced to house arrest after a single date with a man she met online culminated in her harassing him for years, and spurred false allegations which resulted in the innocent man being arrested three times.
Woman who pressured boyfriend to kill his ex in 2000s granted absences from prison
A woman who pressured her boyfriend into killing his teenage ex more than a decade ago will be allowed to leave prison for weeks at a time.
Customers disappointed after email listing $60K Tim Hortons prize sent in error
Several Tim Horton’s customers are feeling great disappointment after being told by the company that an email stating they won a boat worth nearly $60,000 was sent in error.