Sophie Demers
LJI Reporter
All demolition requests listed are recommended by the Service de l’Urbanisme et de Développement Durable (SUDD). After a demolition is approved by the Comité Demandes de Démolition (CDD), the construction project that follows must also be approved by the municipal council.
Aylmer
29 rue du Centre
The Old-Aylmer Home was built in 1885 and according to city documents is considered to have “low heritage value”. The home is valued at $158,300 while the land is $289,900. According to a 2022 inspection the building’s foundation is cracked and causing water damage. The cost to repair the home is estimated at $250,000. The proposed plan after demolition is a three-storey eight-unit residential building.
891 and 901 chemin Vanier
The adjacent properties on Vanier Road are also facing demolition in order to build five four-storey apartment buildings each containing 24 units for a total of 120 units. Neither building is listed on Gatineau’s built heritage lists. According to city documents both buildings have several sanitary and structural problems. The 891 chemin Vanier home was built in 1955, the building is valued at $283,300 and the land $189,800. The 901 chemin Vanier home was built in 1945 and is valued at $324,300 and the land $183,300.
Hull
104 rue Kent
The three-unit, two-storey home built in 1955 is not listed on Gatineau’s built heritage list. The building is in an advanced state of disrepair, the estimated cost of restoration is $870,00. The building is valued at $139,100 and the land is valued at $108,300. The building cannot be occupied due to structural issues. The plan after demolition is to build a three-storey three-unit multi-family home.
Gatineau
261 boulevard Maloney Est
Due to a fire, the 1964 commercial building would require $162,881 to completely restore. The current building is valued at $13,700 while the land is valued at $353,100. The owner is not planning to rebuild after demolition, the plan for the cleared site is to level it, then add turf. A fence or hedge will then be installed to limit access.
215 rue Bellehumeur
The commercial property is occupied by three commercial buildings 215, 195, and 205 rue Bellehumeur. Only 215 Bellehumeur is facing demolition. The 1991 building has no heritage value. The building is valued at $3,435,100 and the whole property is valued at $6,887,500. The building is not in disrepair but the owner states that it is no longer compatible with its use. After demolition, a new commercial building with an area of 1,625 m2 is planned for the site. The plans also include removing some parking spaces and a new access on boulevard de la Gappe. Gatineau’s mobility department is not in favor of the additional access point.
Photo 2: Construction plans for a commercial building at 215 rue Bellehumeur.
7 rue de Chapleau
The home built in 1985 is in disrepair due to a house fire last September. Due to the fire damage the home cannot be rebuilt. The owners plan to rebuild a one-storey, single-family residence replacing the old one.
Masson-Angers
895 chemin de Montréal Ouest
Photo 3: Construction plans for 895 chemin de Montréal Ouest after demolition, seven buildings with a total of 72 units.
The home was built in 1945 but is not listed on Gatineau’s heritage list. The building is in “good to fair” condition and does not require restoration. The reason for demolition is to free the land to build 72 housing units divided between seven buildings. Due to a stream of water on the property the project will need authorization from the Ministère de l’Environnement, de la Lutte contre les changements climatiques, la Faune et les Parcs.
The CDD meeting took place on August 20. Within 30 days of the Committee’s decision, any Gatineau resident may request a review of the decision, this will suspend the demolition until the council reviews the appeal. This process costs $122.50.
Photo 1: Construction plans for 104 rue Kent, if demolition gets approved.
Photo credit: Courtesy of the City of Gatineau.