Ontario Construction News staff writer
A historic building on Kent Street in Ottawa could be demolished to make way for a new development, but the city’s built heritage committee is raising concerns about the impact on the area.
The committee has approved an application to alter three properties on Kent and MacLaren streets to build a 289-unit, 27-storey building.
As part of the plan, the city would demolish the five-storey heritage property at Kent and Gilmour streets, known as Legion House.
The committee said the building could be dismantled and rebuilt on the same site, possibly with a ground floor for institutional or community use.
The city said in a news release that the heritage designations are part of the Kent Street development project.
In other business, the committee said the city should designate several heritage buildings in the area, including the church at 415 Kenwood Ave., the Bible House at 315 Lisgar St., Southminster United Church at 1040 Bank St., the former W.C. Edwards and Company building at 290 City Centre Ave., and the Westboro Masonic Temple at 430 Churchill Ave. N.
The committee’s recommendations will go before council on Wednesday.