Regina issues stop-work order on demolition of CNIB building due to lack of permit

The city of Regina says it has issued a stop-work order on the demolition of the former CNIB building in Wascana Park because the city hasn't received an application for a demolition permit. 

The company behind the demolition, Brandt Development, says it didn't realize it needed a demolition permit. A critic says that explanation, from one of the largest companies in Saskatchewan, is laughable.

On Monday, CBC asked the city if a permit had been obtained. An official replied by email Tuesday.

"The City has not received an application for a demolition permit for 2550 Broad Street," the email said. "We are working with the developer to resolve this in a timely fashion.

"A stop work order has been issued and will remain in place until the demolition is approved." 

• Demolition begins at former CNIB Building in Wascana Park

It's 'just a technical misunderstanding'

Brandt vice president of development Brent Sjoberg said the company just found out about the mistake this morning.

"I think there was just a technical misunderstanding on our part here in terms of, you know, having the need to submit some additional information to the city around the demolition," said Sjoberg, who used to be Regina's deputy city manager.

He said Brandt has been working closely with the Provincial Capital Commission which is the provincial agency responsible for Wascana Park.

"We worked through a process with the Capital Commission and from our perspective had the understanding that we had met all the requirements," said Sjoberg. He said now the company will work with the city to resolve this quickly so the demolition can resume.

The PCC agreed that it has worked closely with Brandt on the project. 

But an email from a provincial government official said PCC told Brandt about its obligations to get all necessary permissions from the city.

"In early January, PCC discussed with Brandt the requirements to apply to the City of Regina for all necessary permits," the official wrote. 

While Wascana Park is the responsibility of the PCC, the city points out that it is responsible for issuing construction-related permits for the park. 

"The city has a five-year agreement with the Provincial Capital Commission to provide building standards services on a fee-for-services basis, including issuing building and demolition permits," the city's email said.

Critic calls Brandt's excuse 'absurd'

Retired educator Jim Gallagher, who's been a vocal critic of commercial development in the park, said Brandt's excuse that it didn't know it required a city permit before demolition is not believable.

"How could a construction company the size of Brandt which of course does literally hundreds of millions of dollars of business in the city and the province claim ignorance about something like that? They would know the regulations and they would know the bylaws and they would know everything about that type of thing," said Gallagher.

"That's just an absurd comment."

He said if Brandt really didn't know, it had options. 

"Well apparently they didn't ever think of asking questions which would have only taken a phone call." 

Demolition began yesterday

Yesterday, crews with track-hoes and trucks began tearing into the brick building and taking away the debris.

The building was constructed in Wascana Park in 1955. 

In a news release Monday, Brandt Developments said the building has been vacant since 2016, when it was condemned for safety reasons. 

The release also said "the Provincial Capital Commission granted approval for the project last year and construction of the new facility is expected to begin later this year." 

While the project itself has been given the green light, the specific design hasn't yet been approved. 

According to an email from the PCC, it received Brandt's detailed design plans on Jan. 4 and they are now being reviewed by the Architectural Advisory Committee. 

"They must then be approved by the PCC board to ensure they meet the guidelines outlined in the Wascana Centre Master Plan, and that approval hasn't happened yet," the email said. 

Brandt Developments said the new building will take up the same amount of land as the former CNIB building. 

Critics say this project, as well as the Conexus building under construction nearby, are contrary to the spirit of the traditional restriction on commercial development in Wascana Park. 

The 930-hectare park, one of the biggest in North America, is home to the Legislative Building and is sometimes called the "jewel of Regina."

Brandt's news release said it's seeking other commercial tenants for the new building, but will make room for not-for-profits such as CNIB to operate rent-free.