Abars fight fails as city council votes to demolish
Despite a late public campaign to save the east-end tavern Abars, city councillors agreed Tuesday to knock the building down.
Politicians listened to pleas from Darren Thorne, who led the push to save the Prohibition-era bar in recent weeks, but they decided instead to topple the old bar that was built in 1904.
Council rejected a proposal to deem the building a heritage site, which would have forced it to be repaired in order to meet provincial standards.
The building had fallen into disrepair after years of neglect. The current owner, a subsidiary of the company that also owns the Ambassador Bridge, applied for a demolition permit.
Representatives of the owners presented their case Tuesday night as well, with council eventually agreeing to collect and preserve any artifacts in the building before tearing it down.
The demolition is subject to a site plan and a letter of credit for security. Any heritage items inside the building are to be removed for the city museum.
There must also be a commemorative plaque indicating the site at one time was occupied by Abars.