Special Report: Education The Truth About Sanford Avenue School We can destroy this school and remain the same kind of people. Or we can preserve it and become the kind of people we have always aspired to be. By Gary Santucci

Published January 19, 2013



Sanford School (Image Credit: Chris Healey)

Background

Background on how the Hamilton Wentworth District Schoo Board (HWDSB) came to receive the Demolition Permit for Sanford Avenue School.

Hamilton Municipal Heritage Committee - Minutes 12-007

July 19, 2012

(b) Buildings and Landscapes of Interest (yellow):

(ii) Sanford Avenue School, 149 Sanford Avenue North (L) - P. Wilson --- No update

Hamilton Municipal Heritage Committee - Report 12-004

August 16, 2012

The Hamilton Municipal Heritage Committee Presents Report 12-004 To The Planning Committee And Respectfully Advises And Requests:

1. Sanford Avenue School, 149 Sanford Avenue North (L)

(a) That the Hamilton Municipal Heritage Committee request that Council put a hold on any demolition permit respecting Sanford Avenue School, 149 Sanford Avenue North, until further discussion with the School Board can occur;

(b) That the Hamilton Municipal Heritage Committee request that Council direct staff to meet with School Board officials to discuss holding an expression of Interest (EOI) regarding the adaptive reuse of Sanford School;

(c) That the adaptive reuse of Sanford School be placed as an item on the School Board Properties Sub-Committee.

Planning Committee - Report 12-013

September 5, 2012

The Planning Committee Presents Report 12-013 And Respectfully Recommends:

Hamilton Municipal Heritage Committee - Report 12-004 (Item 5.2) Council, September 12, 2012, Planning Committee - Report 12-013

Sanford Avenue School, 149 Sanford Avenue North (L)

(a) That the Hamilton Municipal Heritage Committee request that Council put a hold on any demolition permit respecting Sanford Avenue School, 149 Sanford Avenue North, until further discussion with the School Board can occur;

(b) That the Hamilton Municipal Heritage Committee request that Council direct staff to meet with School Board officials to discuss holding an Expression of Interest (EOI) regarding the adaptive reuse of Sanford School;

(c) That the adaptive reuse of Sanford School be placed as an item on the School Board Properties Sub-Committee.

City Council, Minutes - (12-017)

September 12, 2012

Present: Mayor: R. Bratina Councillors: C. Collins, B. Clark, S. Duvall, J. Farr, L. Ferguson, T. Jackson, B. Johnson, B. McHattie, S. Merulla, B. Morelli, J. Partridge

Planning Committee Report 12-013

2. Hamilton Municipal Heritage Committee - Report 12-004 (Item 5.2)

(Morelli/Merulla)

That the Hamilton Municipal Heritage Committee Report 12-004 be referred back to the Planning Committee for discussion.

CARRIED

HWDSB applied for the demolition permit for Sanford Avenue School on November 13, 2012. The demolition permit was issued on December 21, 2012.

What Happened To The Heritage Committee Recommendations?

Clr. Morelli moved a motion, seconded by Clr. Merulla to send the Heritage Committee report back to the Planning Committee on Sept 12, 2012, for discussion, which finally appeared on the agenda of the Planning Committee, only on Jan 15, 2013 - where the Planning Committee voted to receive the report with no further action taken.

HWSDB got its demolition permit for Sanford Avenue School, unchallenged by Hamilton City Council, on December 21, 2012.

Is the interior of Sanford School building really a Hazmat suit zone?

The people of Hamilton have been repeatedly told by HWDSB Trustees and Staff, City Staff, including the local media that Sanford School Building is unsafe, hazardous and toxic, and that to access this building a Hazmat suit had to be worn!

This rationale was used by HWDSB to deny access to even those who were very keen on redeveloping this building into a community asset.

Well, very recent pictures of the interior of the building have surfaced in the community and they tell an entirely different story! It clearly appears that the people of Hamilton have been misled about the hazardous conditions inside this building.

The HWDSB, City councillors & staff, who have facilitated the demolition permit for Sanford School must explain their actions to the community and defend their decision in light of this new evidence.

Are the conditions inside this building so toxic that the HWDSB Trustees can justify denying access before Sanford School is demolished?

Judge the truth for yourself:

Photos of Sanford School



No 'Do Not Enter - Hazard' sign. Not even a 'No Tresspassing' sign. No visible security.



The door appears to be open here - with no visible security.



No visible security at this door, either.



More of the same at this door.



Terrazzo floor, walls and ceiling on main floor hallway in excellent shape.



Classroom floor in excellent shape.



Classroom floor in excellent shape.



Brass rails, terrazzo floors, walls, doors in entrance hallway in excellent shape.



Terrazzo floor, walls and ceiling on main floor hallway to gym in excellent shape.



Most office shape in great shape. All doors and hardware of high quality.



Terrazzo floor on main level hallway in excellent shape. All walls, doors and hardware in good condition.



Polished stone cladding with hardwood handrails in excellent condition. All stairwells are of steel and in very good condition with minor wear.



Minor plaster repair and finish work on good quality walls and ceiling.



Minor repair and repainting of stair treads and landing floors.



Carpet removal, refinishing wood floors and repainting walls.



Terrazzo floor on main hallway, walls, ceilling, doors, hardware in excellent shape.



Classroom floor, walls in excellent shape.



Stairwell in excellent condition.



Sealing tape on insulation of heating pipes in stairwell peeled back.



Leak spot #1. Terrazzo floor on third floor hallway in excellent shape.



Leak spot #2. To prevent this, all that was required was removing the pooling of water on the roof, and patching the eroded surface.



Minor Roof Repair work - Unattended. Similar condition on main roof, resulting in 'two' leak spots in hallway on third floor. Rest of roof in good condition.



Classroom floor, walls, ceiling and windows in excellent shape.



Terrazzo Floor in Hallway, walls, ceiling in excellent shape.



Vinyl Floor classroom in excellent shape.



Terrazzo Floor in washroom, and fixtures in excellent shape.



Glued carpet removal stains.



Terrazzo Floor on third floor Hallway in excellent shape.



Glued carpet removal stains Hardwood floors require sanding and polishing.



Glued carpet removal spots. Hardwood floors require sanding and polishing.



Stairwell in excellent condition.



Terrazzo Floor on 2nd floor Hallway in excellent shape. No leaks here.

Secrecy and Dubious Information

As everyone can see clearly, this building is in excellent condition inside and out, despite its age and the normal wear and tear over the years.

Why all the secrecy and dubious information, around this being a 'hazmat suit zone'?

The local residents maintain that they have not been consulted on this demolition. It is very clear that only a few parents of the Cathy Wever School, and a few members of the Pinky Lewis Rec Centre, were consulted.

This limited consultation is being passed off as full-fledged community consultation. Why has the HWDSB misled the community about the hazardous conditions inside Sanford Avenue School?

The Demolition Solution As Proposed by City and HWDSB

With no new funding commitment by the City until 2015 or beyond, and a consultant report which confirms the underutilization of Pinky Lewis Rec Centre.

"The Sanford School Building is by all accounts in rough shape." "You have to wear a Hazmat suit to go inside!"

This common justification is now proven to be an exaggeration.

"We are demolishing sanford school for green-space."

But we already have four larger green-spaces within three minutes walk from this building:

Woodlands Park

Powell Park

Tweedsmuir J.C. Beemer Park

Cathedral High School Football Field





The Adaptive Re-use Solution

As Proposed by Hamilton residents, with no funding expectations from the City.

The adaptive re-use solution will generate new tax-assessment from:

New Living Space

New Commercial Space

New Studio Space

In addition:

A New Senior's Centre, and

A refurbished gym for Pinky Lewis + Cathy Wever

And all at a savings of $15 million to taxpayers.

The adaptive re-use solution:

Save sanford school

Save the past

Save the present

Save the future

No Specific Plans

A common criticism is: "The critics of demolition have no specific plans for developing this building."









Think Before You Act!

We can destroy this school and remain the same kind of people. Or we can preserve it and become the kind of people we have always aspired to be.

Gary Santucci is the co-owner, with Barbara Milne, of The Pearl Company theatre and arts centre.

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