Ted Brellisford, the Hamilton Spectator The Book House is considered a rare example of early Georgian architecture. The Roman Catholic Diocese of Hamilton, which owns it, says the city can take it for $1.
August 11, 2007
Nicole Macintyre
The Hamilton Spectator
(Aug 11, 2007)The front door to Book House is wide open, welcoming visitors inside.
The only guests in years, though, have been of Mother Nature’s kind. Ancaster Councillor Lloyd Ferguson stopped after poking his head inside.
“I was afraid I’d fall through the floor.”
It is said that a heritage building is never loved more than in the moments before its death. Admiration for the crumbling house on Book Road is mounting with each disintegrating red brick.
“If the Book House comes down, it’s a disaster,” said Anne Charlton, chair of the city’s heritage committee.
She knows the house’s history by heart. Built in 1831 by Adam Book, son of early settler John Book, the two-storey residence is a rare example of early Georgian architecture.
The house came into the hands of Roman Catholic Diocese of Hamilton decades ago. It had a tenant until recent years and has since sat vacant.
The diocese has an affection for heritage buildings, too, but it also has priorities, business administrator John O’Brien said. Restoration of its churches demands resources first.
There are no firm plans for the Book House property, said O’Brien. He’s heard passionately from heritage advocates who want the church to protect the house from further disrepair. He’s repeatedly responded that the city must foot the bill if it wants the work done — or they can take the building away for $1.
The diocese has also served notice it will fight any attempt to designate Book House.
“I don’t think you need to wield the heritage stick, so to speak. It just creates adversaries where there doesn’t need to be,” said O’ Brien.
But the city doesn’t have the money to save Book House, counters Charlton.
The diocese has “a public responsibility to maintain this building for the future.”
The city has played white knight before and saved city landmarks such as Auchmar and St. Mark’s Church from the wrecking ball. Years later though both buildings are still vacant as staff search for adaptive reuses.
And there isn’t even a consensus among the public on heritage buildings. As many people cheered the recent demolition of the 160-year-old Dynes Tavern as mourned it. Opinion is as divided over the 70-year-old Lister Block.
The city does have the right to rescue a building from neglect through designation, whether the owner supports it or not. While not the preferable step, it’s necessary when significant buildings are under threat, said Tim McCabe, head of the city’s planning and economic development department.
“It’s a community resource. The heritage of a city is for all its citizens.”
It’s unfortunate that Ontario doesn’t offer financial incentives for heritage preservation, but property owners still have a duty to maintain their buildings, said McCabe.
“They have to accept some responsibility for a community resource.”
He predicts Hamilton will start being more aggressive about designating heritage properties.
Across Hamilton, about 600 properties are already heritage designated. Another 7,000 are listed as being of heritage interest. City staff are starting to work their way through the latter list to determine which properties merit a spot on the official registry. Once there, it takes longer to demolish a property.
Owners must wait an extra 60 days to give the community a chance to find an alternative or fight for its protection.
Councillors placed the first property of interest, a 1854 stone building at the corner of James Street South and Charlton Avenue, on the registry this week. It’s current owner, St. Joseph’s Health System, has already served notice it wants to demolish the building to make room for a mobile unit in the short-term.
While respectful of the city’s responsibility, hospital executives say they’ve already explored the cost of saving the building and the $1-million-plus price tag isn’t feasible.
The only solution to the inevitable clash of economics versus heritage is compromise, offers University of Toronto professor Thomas McIlwraith.
“It comes down in the end to good communication.”
Both sides need to sit down at the table to brainstorm creative solutions that meet the needs of both. Middle ground is possible, he said.
That’s what Ferguson hopes for Book House. He has set up a meeting with the diocese next week. “It’s a delicate balance. Obviously we want to preserve our heritage buildings, but not at any cost.”
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It’s love of heritage vs. economics
August 11, 2007 By Leave a Comment
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