KITCHENER - The owner of the derelict former Electrohome building at 152 Shanley St. has opted to repair the crumbling building rather than tear it down.

Owner Andrew Spylo has obtained a building permit to address significant structural problems with the building, said Mike Seiling, Kitchener's chief building official. The permit pegs the cost of the work at $600,000 and stipulates that work must begin by Aug. 14.

The 132-year-old building, which is in the middle of a residential neighbourhood, has major structural problems, including large sections of collapsed floors on three of the building's four storeys, as well as damaged beams and columns.

In May, the city declared the building unsafe and ordered the owner to take immediate action to either address the structural problems or safely demolish the building.

The city's engineering inspection report, which is available on the city's website, outlines a number of problems with the building that need to be addressed by the end of September. The roof is letting in rain and snow, causing the building's supports to deteriorate. Wood columns, beams, joists and decking have failed, and 10-by-15-foot sections of the floors on the second, third and top storeys have collapsed.

The report by Tacoma Engineers says the building is not in immediate danger of collapse, but "it is imperative" that remedial work be done before winter.

It also says that repairing the building presents "significant challenges" and estimates that repairs to ensure the building is structurally sound are estimated to cost at least $1.5 million. Restoring the building for a new use could cost $6.5 to $10 million, it says.

The city's building department hasn't set a deadline for the repair work to be completed, but "I'm very aware of what the engineer from Tacoma said, that the building can't go through another winter," Seiling said. The city will be closely monitoring the progress of the repair work, he said.

The property has been neglected for decades, and the owners have a history of not paying property taxes or carrying out basic maintenance. Kitchener twice tried to force a tax sale to recoup $1.2 million in unpaid property taxes, and the city has taken over sidewalk shovelling and grass cutting, adding those costs to the site's tax bill.

If the structural repairs aren't done before winter, the city could step in, order the work done and bill the cost to the owner, Seiling said.

Spylo, a real estate agent and landlord, bought the property in 1998.

The city is keen to see the site improved, and developed a vision for the property to try and kick-start redevelopment. The vision calls for a six-storey residential building, with retail on the ground floor and underground parking.

cthompson@therecord.com

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