Here's a link to the Petition chng.it/NHZ7mZvb which in less than 2 days has well over 1,000 signatures! This shows the tremendous support of the people of Oshawa to preserve the City's historic buildings. Hoping that many more will take a minute to look at a Petition about saving the Robert McLaughlin House from 'demolition by neglect' and add to the signatures, share it with friends and family too as well as copy it on social media to raise awareness.
As the Petition says "let's come together now to fight to keep some of the treasures that make our city unique".
"Cities all around the world celebrate founders and innovators, those true pioneers of their time who made a difference in their community. It is for us to preserve structures that represent our collective heritage. As our city grows and develops, our history becomes even more important. Evidence of that past disappears when we are left with no physical structures to celebrate and connect with.
The owner of 195 Simcoe who is requesting demolition has failed to comply with the City’s Property Standards Orders. He has left the hole in the roof open and exposed the building to rain and snow.
The property owner should not be rewarded for lack of maintenance. This is a dangerous precedent. The City does have authority to do repairs when an owner is not compliant with an Order.
It’s important to note that any repairs or protective action performed by the City would be charged to the owner of the building. Unfortunately, when an owner is intent on making the case for a building being unfit, it is not uncommon for this kind of demolition by neglect to occur."
As I've written on a couple Oshawa group pages previously, this kind of vision takes work, and money yes, but 1st COMMUNITY SUPPORT to make it happen From the tremendous number of signatures already, it seems there are people who recognize the benefits on many levels. This historic house is an ideal property for adaptive reuse for a HOSPICE FOR PALLIATIVE CARE, it is on a 1/2 acre lot, close to the hospital, Parkwood and the downtown.
A significant renovation project can be accomplished. As the Petition points out, Oshawa City Council voted against demolition previously, examples are the Regent Theatre on King St E and Pinewood on Centre St.
The time to turn this around is short. The appeal to City Council is to deny the demolition. The vote is Monday, February 22nd.
Honouring the unique story that is the history of Oshawa, its auto industry heritage and the philanthropy of the McLaughlin family, combined with helping advance a new plan for Robert McLaughlin's only surviving home in Oshawa is something special!
Here's to hoping a significant new adaptive reuse plan can come forward and be successful!
By the way Dean Hickey has written a great article in his In Conversations with Dean Hickey entitled "The Robert McLaughlin House Will It Survive? https://inconversationwithdeanhickey.wordpress.com/2021/02/13/the-robert-mclaughlin-house-will-it-survive/
As the Petition says "let's come together now to fight to keep some of the treasures that make our city unique".
"Cities all around the world celebrate founders and innovators, those true pioneers of their time who made a difference in their community. It is for us to preserve structures that represent our collective heritage. As our city grows and develops, our history becomes even more important. Evidence of that past disappears when we are left with no physical structures to celebrate and connect with.
The owner of 195 Simcoe who is requesting demolition has failed to comply with the City’s Property Standards Orders. He has left the hole in the roof open and exposed the building to rain and snow.
The property owner should not be rewarded for lack of maintenance. This is a dangerous precedent. The City does have authority to do repairs when an owner is not compliant with an Order.
It’s important to note that any repairs or protective action performed by the City would be charged to the owner of the building. Unfortunately, when an owner is intent on making the case for a building being unfit, it is not uncommon for this kind of demolition by neglect to occur."
As I've written on a couple Oshawa group pages previously, this kind of vision takes work, and money yes, but 1st COMMUNITY SUPPORT to make it happen From the tremendous number of signatures already, it seems there are people who recognize the benefits on many levels. This historic house is an ideal property for adaptive reuse for a HOSPICE FOR PALLIATIVE CARE, it is on a 1/2 acre lot, close to the hospital, Parkwood and the downtown.
A significant renovation project can be accomplished. As the Petition points out, Oshawa City Council voted against demolition previously, examples are the Regent Theatre on King St E and Pinewood on Centre St.
The time to turn this around is short. The appeal to City Council is to deny the demolition. The vote is Monday, February 22nd.
Honouring the unique story that is the history of Oshawa, its auto industry heritage and the philanthropy of the McLaughlin family, combined with helping advance a new plan for Robert McLaughlin's only surviving home in Oshawa is something special!
Here's to hoping a significant new adaptive reuse plan can come forward and be successful!
By the way Dean Hickey has written a great article in his In Conversations with Dean Hickey entitled "The Robert McLaughlin House Will It Survive? https://inconversationwithdeanhickey.wordpress.com/2021/02/13/the-robert-mclaughlin-house-will-it-survive/