City, councillor respond to concerns about 2411 New Street condo
Ward 2 News
Marianne Meed Ward
April 5, 2016

In the last few days I’ve been contacted by a number of residents concerned about information they have recently seen posted online regarding a condominium building at 2411 New Street in Ward 2.

For background, I am familiar with the situation here. I was first contacted by a resident in 2014. I also met late last year with the individual from the communications firm that launched the recent public campaign on behalf of residents. I am aware of the concerns and perspectives of residents. I have also sought and received multiple briefings from city staff. I have been assured by staff that the building is structurally sound now, and not at risk of collapse. This information is also included in a city press release, below.

You have asked for My Take: I have a great deal of compassion for the situation residents are in. This matter is currently before the courts for a resolution.

Comments or questions can be left below, subject to adherence with the Online Commenting Guidelines, or left privately with me at Ward 2 City Councillor marianne.meedward@burlington.ca

Separately, the city has issued a press release to provide accurate information about the building in response to incorrect information that has appeared online. Highlights from the press release are below.

City of Burlington Press Release
City provides accurate information about New Street condo building

Burlington, Ont. – April 5, 2016—The City of Burlington is responding to incorrect information published on a website and shared on social media related to a condominium building at 2411 New St.

The 56-unit condominium apartment building was built in 1965 and converted to condos in 1998. The city and its insurers, as well as others, have been in litigation with both the condo corporation and 27 unit owners since September 2011.

Here is some key information about the city’s involvement with 2411 New St.:

•	The safety of all residents is a top concern. The city would take immediate steps to evacuate and make safe any structure that was at risk of collapse.
•	The building met all relevant building codes at the time it was constructed, and again when it was converted to a condo.
•	The building is structurally sound now, and not at risk of collapse. The engineer for the condo corporation and for the city both agree on this point.
•	The engineers also agree that the building can be brought into compliance with the current Ontario Building Code with repairs costing $670,000 to $770,000.
•	The city and others are currently in litigation with the condo corporation and a number of individual owners. This is working its way through the courts.
•	The city empathizes with the owners who are now faced with significant repair costs. The building has been poorly maintained over the years. The decision to defer necessary preventive maintenance was made by the condo corporation. In general, cities do not buy homes or other properties because the owners have chosen to delay necessary preventive maintenance and must face expensive repairs.
•	The building at 2411 New Street has been standing for more than 50 years without any sign of structural failure. The various professional engineers that have investigated the issue would have a professional obligation to alert the city of the threat of structural failure and the building would have been shut down. None of the engineers took that action.

Communications contact: Donna Kell Manager of Communications Office: 905-335-7600, ext. 7841 donna.kell@burlington.ca

Media contact: James Ridge City Manager Office: 905-335-7600, ext. 7608 james.ridge@burlington.ca

Bottom line The city, in a very, very nice way, is saying that the owners at 2411 New Street made their bed so they now must sleep in it. The city will not buy their units and they will fight the owners in court.

top  contents  chapter  previous  next