Things changed at 6:12 a.m. on Monday, November 11, 2024.
The long-vacant Gore buildings at 24 and 28 King Street East collapsed onto the Gore Park promenade, mere hours before thousands of people gathered in Gore Park for Remembrance Day ceremonies.
Mayor Horwath described the uncontrolled collapse as “terrifying—it’s terrifying what could have happened … but for the Grace of God, there are no injuries.”
The Mayor wasn’t the only City official shocked by the collapse.
November 11 was the first day on the job for Hamilton’s newest Chief Building Official, Rob Lalli.
Lalli was the Director of Strategic Initiatives in the Planning and Economic Development Department and was well-regarded in the role. He earned a reputation for effectively cutting through red tape to assist businesses of all sizes and implement process improvements.
Two days later, on November 13, 2024, outside the Council Chamber, Lalli indicated that he would review property and building standards enforcement practices, and it appears that he is taking action.
Enforcement Blitz – the First in over a Decade
In recent months, property and building standards orders have been posted on many of downtown Hamilton’s decaying and vacant buildings – some for the first time in over a decade.
Take 21 John Street South, a building in the heart of downtown, which has been openly decaying for over a decade. It’s been without a roof since 2016!
On December 4, 2024, the City ordered Brad Lamb’s BJL Properties Inc. to enclose and secure the property.
BJL Properties Inc. appealed the order.
Upon an appeal being filed, enforcement is paused pending review by the quasi-judicial (and independent) Property Standards Committee.
City staff promptly scheduled a hearing. On March 5, 2025, the Property Standards Committee failed to achieve quorum – delaying action for an entire month.
A month later, the property standards order was upheld. BJL has until the end of May to demolish its decrepit building.
Just this week, it was announced that 96 John Street South will be demolished, following the issuance of property standards orders by the City.
With More Property Orders, There Will Be More Appeals
Last week, City Council appointed a fifth member to the Property Standards Committee.
Officially, this is a routine appointment.
Unofficially, the Property Standards Committee is about to get busy. One only needs to walk around the downtown to see property standards orders taped to the windows of long-neglected vacant buildings.
Property owners often appeal orders to either buy time or in the faint hope of being permitted to continue neglecting their properties. In the past, this worked.
Not anymore.
Was it the collapse of the Gore buildings that spurred action, or the fact that a new Chief Building Official is on the job?
I don’t think that matters to Hamiltonians, who have put up with collapsing buildings for too long. What matters is that finally, something is being done.
Production Details
v. 1.0.1
Published: April 22, 2025
Last updated: April 22, 2025
Author: Joey Coleman
Update Record
v. 1.0.0 original version
v. 1.0.1 fixed typo