Euclid Avenue church ordered repaired or demolished
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A city order to repair or tear down a fire-gutted, vacant former church has been upheld.
Peter Sanderson, a director with Southern Manitoba Urban Properties, which owns the building, appealed to stop the order. He argued the land at the former Holy Ascension Greek Orthodox Church at 197 Euclid Ave. could become part of a larger project to construct affordable housing in the future.
He said his group hoped to buy more surrounding lots to fulfill that vision.
On Monday, council’s property and development committee cast a final vote to reject the appeal and uphold the city order to repair or demolish the building by Feb. 28.
“We now have a burnt-out building that has serious structural integrity issues with it that needs to be removed,” said Coun. Evan Duncan (Charleswood-Tuxedo-Westwood).
At one point during the appeal hearing, Sanderson offered up a key to the property, suggesting the city could take it over.
Duncan said that option could be considered if the owner completes a formal offer to transfer the property through the municipal government’s real estate division.
