The citizens of Old Quebec are asking for a quick intervention to resolve the situation around the ruins of the razed house in their neighborhood, while Sainte-Geneviève Avenue is blocked by an expanded security perimeter.
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On Thursday morning, residents woke up to tall railings and concrete blocks completely blocking Avenue Sainte-Geneviève in the historic district.
Rockfall
They were installed the day before, at the end of the day, by the emergency services of the City of Quebec, because stones threatened to detach from a party wall that remained shaky after the emergency demolition on May 19. .
The president of the citizens’ committee of Old Quebec, Michel Masse, maintains that residents want quick action. “We hope it will go quickly. It can’t stay like that indefinitely,” he said.
For residents, blocking the street is a nuisance. “It’s annoying for the residents. It complicates everyone’s life.” Especially since traffic in Old Quebec is also more marked during the tourist season.
Odors
In addition to the road obstruction, the president underlines the unpleasant odors which emerge from the ruins. “It smells very strongly of humidity,” he says.
The committee is also concerned about the risk of fire, with the materials piled up on the ground.
Mr. Masse emphasizes the dangerousness of the place. He says that before the barriers were erected, people had started digging through the rubble looking for materials like copper.
Demolition permit
Thursday, the City of Quebec informed by press release that it has decided to submit the question to the Commission d’urbanisme et de conservation de Québec (CUCQ) “so that the request for the permit necessary for the completion of the demolition can be processed. as quickly as possible”. The Commission will be seized of the file on Friday morning, during a meeting which, as usual, will be held behind closed doors.
“The Planning Commission does not issue permits, it issues written decisions. The Territory Management Service issues permits and authorizations based on the decisions of the CUCQ,” said City spokesperson Jean-Pascal Lavoie.
On Tuesday, the president of the citizens’ and residents’ committee appeared at the city council and demanded rapid action for the removal of debris. Councilor member of the executive committee and responsible for heritage, Mélissa Coulombe-Leduc, explained that a request for a demolition permit is being studied at the City.
“The official request is following its course and we have the will to do it quickly because we are aware of the impact it has on the neighborhood,” she informed.
The owner, Jean-François Barré, did not respond to our interview request.