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The city should expropriate the crumbling Somerset House since there’s no sign the downtown heritage building will ever return to its original glory under the current owner, a councillor says.

Coun. Catherine McKenney, who represents the ward where the building is located, wants staff to tell council how the city could use the law to acquire 352 Somerset St., at the intersection of Bank Street.

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“It’s both an eyesore and a shame, really,” McKenney said during a built heritage subcommittee meeting Monday.

The subcommittee approved demolishing three of the easternmost bays on the wall along Somerset Street. A fourth bay is in rough shape, but the city wants the owner to first try fixing it up to “retain historic fabric.” If that fails, the city wants the owner to keep the brick and other materials to use in the redevelopment.

The demolition plan is being fast-tracked through planning committee Tuesday and council Wednesday since the wall needs immediate attention.