'Somebody will die' if former McCormick's factory isn't torn down, neighbours say
A redevelopment for the former factory lands has stalled as the owner appeals a city ruling
The owners of the former McCormick's candy factory on Dundas Street have been ordered by city bylaw officials to restore security fencing around the crumbling building, but business owners near the property say much more needs to be done to deal with what they call a dangerous eyesore.
"The fence usually lasts 48 hours," said Gord Inglis, who operates Inglis Cycle, located on McCormick Boulevard behind the property. "It's very run down, neglected, not looked after and ignored, and it's turned into a playground for children and an area where homeless people [go] in and out."
A work order was posted on three parts of the fence surrounding some of the property, stating that a property inspection done May 8 found contraventions of a city bylaw that requires owners to ensure that vacant buildings are secured against unauthorized entry, and to protect the building from the risk of "fire, accident or other danger."
When a CBC News reporter visited the site on Thursday, there were at least eight places where the fence had been torn down partially or completely, allowing anyone to walk onto the property.
Windows, doors and duct openings were recently covered with plywood, Inglis said, but that's also usually torn down within days.
Two young teens had to be rescued from the roof of the building on Sunday night, London Fire said. There was a fire in the building and the teens who were exploring inside made their way to the roof while they waited for help, said Platoon Chief Kirk Loveland. An aerial ladder was used to communicate with the youth and tell them to stay put until firefighters came to the roof to escort them out of the building, he said. The teens weren't hurt and were taken away by police.
A similar incident happened on Thursday afternoon. A teen was stuck in the building and police requested the aerial truck again so they could communicate with the young person and escort them out of the building.
Seeing young people in the building is a frequent occurrence, Inglis said. "I feel the city is playing with the devil. Every time an emergency service is called to the building it seems to be more severe. If you don't do something with this building, somebody is going to get hurt."
'We're picking up garbage everyday'
The recent rescue was just one of the latest incidents where emergency crews were called to the building, said Lou Fatibene, who owns neighbouring Dundas Automotive.
"I'm surprised nobody's been killed over there yet," Fatibene said. "We've had cars broken into, the whole area has been vandalized. We're picking up garbage every day."
Somebody's going to die," he said. "How much did it cost us taxpayers to have that aerial truck out there to save the kids?"
Tena Smith, who works at Tim's Tires across the street from the old factory, says young people are using it as an urban exploration site. Some throw bricks and other items from the roof, damaging property and cars below.
"Every Monday when we come in after the weekend, it's like the teenagers have had a heyday in there and they've knocked out more windows," she said. "We used to park our cars over there to make room for our customers, but they throw stuff off the roof. A brick landed on my car and dented my roof, so we don't park over there anymore."
The owners of the property, Sierra Construction, based in Woodstock, did not reply to emails and phone calls asking for comment. They have until May 12 to comply with the city's work order.
The company bought the property for $1. In 2021, McCormick Villages Inc., owned and run by Sierra Construction, submitted a plan for a subdivision for the factory site, comprising of five hectares. In October 2022, city council approved the development, which included repurposing the former factory into a mixed-use, mid-rise building, as well as townhouses, a long-term care facility and a seniors apartment building on the property.
But Sierra Construction wasn't happy with council's decision to limit the apartment building height to five-storeys and to make a multi-use path on the property publicly-accessible among other issues. The Ontario Land Tribunal will consider that appeal in June.
It's been frustrating watching the building and property fall further and further into disrepair, said Ward 4 Coun. Susan Stevenson. "It's becoming a huge safety concern and a lot of people are worried that there will be a tragedy there, let alone the disturbance to the neighbourhood that's happening as well," she said. "The neighbours just want it taken down."
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