Councillors agree to look at tearing down old hospital

After a 50-minute session with Italo Ferrari, representing owners of the old Sault Area Hospital, city council voted tonight to consider expropriating and demolishing the derelict property.

Ferrari faced tough questioning from councillors as he acknowledged serious problems at the waterfront site, but painted them as the fault of a crime-prone community. not a matter of property management.

Clearly unimpressed by Ferrari's arguments, councillors voted to look at tougher enforcement efforts at 941 and 995 Queen St. E., including possible demolition.

Demolition is estimated to cost about $6 million, with added costs for expropriation, insurance and environmental liabilities.

Ferrari sent a large package of documentation about his plans for the project just hours before Monday's council meeting.

Further coverage of this story will appear on SooToday.