If you frequent Booth Street, you will recognize this “garage” on the east side, between Somerset and Gladstone. It’s Cousin Eddy’s and (Uncle?)* Chado’s Auto Body. Here’s another view:
It’s all known by the municipal address 357 Booth Street. The general state of disrepair has been a source of despair.
Note the burnt out hulk to the right: according to this Citizen article, http://www.canada.com/ottawacitizen/news/story.html?id=606c1117-859b-4168-83b8-f72616bab4a5&k=34712 it was also owned by “Cousin” Eddy Aoun, who torched his own rental property to evict the tenants he thought were dealing drugs. Such neighborhood concern did not extend to the mysterious loss of trees along the front edge of the property:
There used to be a row of screening trees like the one on the top left, all along the front of the property. Alas, only stumps about 2′ high now remain. I wonder why the trees upped and left, and if they had any help??
But now Cousin and [uncle] are gone too, and a security fence separates the buildings from the street. I certainly hope he has moved because his business was doing so well he needed additional space. There is no Canada411 address for Cousin Eddy (or any spelling variant …) but Chado seems to have relocated to Metcalfe (hint to Metcalfe residents: go out and document trees and amenities still left …).
The combined lots have 174′ of frontage on Booth, and were listed for sale in 2009 for $1.4 million. The lots would have to be decontaminated, and would be ideal for stacked townhouses or low rise apartments. Exiting Cousin Eddy will make it easier to sell the Z6 condo units just down the street. Already the Cornerstone building, a block up the street the other way, is improving its immediate area as its exterior is being finished.
There is nothing on the City web site about development approvals for this site. Does anyone know if it is for sale, sold, who bought it?? Neighbours want to know, as this site has a significant profile and will set the tone for the street. Hopefully, we won’t see another “garage” open up there.
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* we certainly cry “Uncle” as in “we’ve had enough…”
Ownership last changed hands in 2002 and it is currently owned by a numbered company. It is not listed as “for sale’ at the moment.
A sign went up briefly yesterday informing of public hearings regarding a propsal to build townhouses on the land.
Finally!!! That would make great improvements to the street and nicely complement the new cornerstone building, Z6 lofts, and upcoming chi-condos. Not to mention the renovations to those ugly Bell St. towers.
City Council took action yesterday on this property.
Peter
ITEM
8. EXEMPTION FROM THE DEMOLITION CONTROL BY-LAW FOR THE BUILDINGS LOCATED AT 355 AND 357 BOOTH STREET
EXEMPTION AU RÈGLEMENT SUR LES DÉMOLITIONS POUR LES BÂTIMENTS SITUÉS AUX 355 ET 357, RUE BOOTH
Committee recommendationS
That Council approve that 355 and 357 Booth Street be exempted from the requirements set out in the Demolition Control By-law in order to enable the demolition of the buildings to its foundation subject to the following conditions:
1. The soils remediation activities commence immediately following the demolition of the buildings;
2. The Owner ensures the property is graded, sodded or seeded and maintained to the standards set out in the Property Standards By-law pending development;
3. The property is not used or occupied for any other interim use; and
4. The Owner redevelops the property within the timelines set out in the demolition agreement.
CARRIED