The former Brantford Hotel is slated to be demolished by the end of April.

“The state of neglect of the building has resulted in accumulations of waste, debris, long grass, graffiti and vandalism, all of which have prompted numerous and justified public complaints,” city spokesperson Maria Visocchi said in an email.

“The building is unsafe and needs to be removed.”

The building, at 666 Colborne St., was known as The Jolly Baron for many years before becoming a Holiday Inn, Quality Inn and The Brantford Hotel.

It’s owned by the Aurora Hotel Group, a Vaughan-based developer. No spokesperson for the developer could be reached for comment.

The building had been slated to be renovated into a Four Points Sheraton Hotel. Work had barely started in 2016 when it came to a halt. Over time, the vacant property has been vandalized and has been the site of suspicious fires.

The city issued a series of orders for the property, culminating in an order last March calling for the building’s demolition. Aurora appealed the order.

Visocchi said that, at a hearing last May, the city’s demolition order was upheld and Aurora was given until June 30, 2019, to comply.

Aurora appealed to the Superior Court where, ultimately, the two sides agreed that the building will come down by April 30.

“The city looks forward to compliance with the order to demolish the building by the required deadline,” said Visocchi.

“In the meantime, our bylaw enforcement division is closely monitoring the site to ensure compliance with the court order.”

The city has received no applications for development of the property but Aurora’s website touts the property for a Fairfield Inn and Suites, which will have 100 rooms. The website includes floor plans and artist’s renderings that include the building’s existing facade.

SGamble@postmedia.com

@EXPSGamble