St. John's council approves demolition of Richmond Cottage, Belvedere Orphanage
City council has approved a demolition permit for Richmond Cottage.
Speaking prior to a vote at Tuesday's council meeting, Coun. Dave Lane there was only one interested buyer that came forward by the May 1 deadline, and the offer wasn't acceptable.
"We can't let this happen again," said Lane, who added he was "reluctantly" voting in favour of the demolition.
Only Coun. Sheilagh O'Leary opposed the demolition permit for the building, located off Shaw Street.
Wrightland Development Corporation, the property's owner, had made it known it wanted to tear the building down, as the memorandum of understanding between it and the city expired with no new buyer.
O'Leary said she opposed the memorandum, and therefore refused to vote for demolition.
"I could not with good conscience support the demolition of that property with the history that I know," she said.
Former orphanage also approved for demo
At the meeting, city council also approved demolition of the former Belvedere Orphanage.
The building, which has stood in St. John's for more than 100 years and had been vacant for some time, was destroyed in a fire in early April.
The property was built in the 1800s, operating as an orphanage for years, housing Grade 8 and 9 students when Holy Heart of Mary High School for girls was full, and hosting administrative offices as well.
More recently, it was operating as an MCP building but had been empty for several years.
