The former Bethany Hope Centre in Hintonburg should be adapted to incorporate the heritage building into a new 13-storey apartment tower, says a report to be considered next week by the built-heritage subcommittee.



Bethany Hope is a two-storey red brick building at 1140 Wellington St. W., constructed in 1924 by the Salvation Army as a home for unwed mothers.



It was given heritage designation two years ago because it is considered a good example of an early 20th-century institutional building, with features that include a symmetrical facade and front porch.



Taggart Homes now owns the property and is currently constructing a six-storey condo building next door.



The proposed 13-storey building, designed by Barry J. Hobin and Associates Architects, would be linked to the rear of the Bethany Hope building at ground level. A new one-storey vestibule on the west side of the heritage building would provide an accessible entrance.





Alterations to the heritage building would include the replacement of all existing windows and the addition of windows on the east and west sides, as well as landscaping changes to incorporate walkways, a gazebo and emergency access.



The city’s planning department supports Taggart’s proposal because “it protects the identified heritage value and attributes of the former Bethany Hope Centre,” the report says.



The proposed apartment building also requires minor variances from the committee of adjustment.



Say no to O’Connor demo



Planning staff want the committee to deny a request to tear down a vacant home in the Centretown heritage conservation district.



Located at 234 O’Connor St., the brick house with a gable roof was constructed between 1879 and 1901. It’s been vacant since a fire damaged the upper levels about 15 years ago.



The owners want to demolish it and are proposing a temporary park in its place.



Last year, they asked Ottawa Fire Services for a fire marshal demolition order, but it was denied because “the property did not pose an immediate threat to public safety as a fire risk,” according to the staff report.



In January, the owners submitted a demolition application to the city but that was later put on hold pending when they filed a subsequent application under the Ontario Heritage Act.



In the meantime, the city’s building code department in August issued an order to remedy an unsafe building, noting stabilization and security measures that must be undertaken.



Two separate structural assessments were considered — one from the owners and one conducted on the city’s behalf.



The reports identify similar issues but offer differing opinions on the extent of the damage. The owner’s report calls for demolition, but the city’s report, prepared by John G. Cooke and Associates, concludes the building is “reasonably repairable.”



The city’s heritage department supports that position and recommended approach to repairs, as does Somerset Coun. Catherine McKenney.



She applauded the decision to get a second opinion on the building’s condition and, in written comments, encouraged the building code department to “ensure compliance with orders to make the building structurally sound and to preserve its heritage values so that we do not lose this building as a result of demolition by neglect.”



The built-heritage committee will meet Thursday at 9:30 a.m.



mpearson@postmedia.com