The city of Quebec will recommend the demolition of a century-old building in Limoilou, whose dangerous nature recently forced a small neighborhood eatery, the submarine restaurant Le Marinier, located in the neighboring building, to cease operations.
The popular 1st Avenue counter, founded 45 years ago, “with a heavy heart” announced to its customers on Facebook on December 22 that it would be closing “indefinitely” due to the circumstances [son] control,” elicited more than a hundred comments.
Dominique Lelievre
A visit to the site near the intersection with 18th Street shows that concrete blocks and barriers have been installed in front and behind the building housing the Marinier and the adjacent building, 1773-1775 1st Avenue.
“Building evacuated – no entry,” is written on the door of the sandwich shop and that of a shoemaker.
Collapsed roof
It is the 1909 building, built in 1773-1775, which according to the list of architectural monuments is a “good” monument, which is a problem.
Dominique Lelievre
City spokeswoman Isabelle Petit explains that “numerous notices of violation have been sent out over the years” and that “the lack of maintenance by the owner over all these years has resulted in a state of disrepair, widespread disrepair and to a gradation of interventions.”
Proceedings were initiated in spring 2023 to force the work to be carried out. However, on November 17, a roof collapse occurred, “making the site and its immediate surroundings unsafe,” Ms. Petit says.
Dominique Lelievre
From the sidewalk we can see a gaping hole in the roof through the second floor windows.
Before the courts
“Failed to obtain the owner's cooperation, the city had to go to the Supreme Court to obtain an order requiring the site to be secured, residents of the neighboring building to be evacuated and surveillance to be carried out 24/7 both buildings,” said the spokesman.
Everything came into force on December 21st. Note that no residents had to be relocated. According to neighbors, both the shops and the premises had been unused for several years.
The rear part of the two buildings was also demolished. A security guard is present at all times. Dominique Lelievre
“It also worries us because it is close by. We wonder if there will be no fire there or if there will be no squatters,” sighed a citizen, François-Xavier Bélisle, who said he was relieved that the city was taking action.
The city confirms that it will request the demolition of 1773-1775 under the Land Use and Town Planning Act, primarily in connection with “the danger posed by this building given its state of disrepair.” However, the decision lies with the court.
Dominique Lelievre
According to the municipal land register, the two properties, the problematic property and the one with Le Marinier, belong to the same person, Yves Dorval. Despite our best efforts, we were unable to contact him for this report.
The case will be heard again in court on January 16.
Brûlerie Limoilou, whose premises are also nearby, is not affected by the situation.