The venerable Turner building in Victoria has been given another 30-day reprieve.
After hearing from family member Charlotte Turner, Victoria council on Thursday approved the extension for the owners to either remediate or demolish the building at 2002 Richmond Rd.
Council voted Oct. 24 to give the Turner family 28 calendar days to make decisions about the building. Acting mayor Chris Coleman said the extension was granted with the understanding no further extension will be granted.
Turner told the council her family is looking at an exit strategy, Coleman said.
“So it’s about a new owner [at this time]. . . . That is the first step. In order to do something there, you actually do need to change the ownership structure,” Coleman said.
The long and narrow two-storey building was built in the 1940s and for decades was home to Ian's Jubilee Coffee Shop. It has been vacant for years and fallen into such disrepair that after a health and safety inspection the city called for its demolition.
In 2005, amid concerns over the building's deteriorating condition, the Turners and others examined options for revitalizing the building but didn’t move forward. In September, a 3.7-metre section of wall fell off the second storey, prompting the city’s health and safety inspection early last month.
The inspection revealed extensive water damage to the building’s interior, which contains black mould. Asbestos is also assumed to be present, said a staff report.
Because of its proximity to the Royal Jubilee Hospital, nurses and other medical personnel were regulars at the coffee shop. Many would like to see the building saved and a group on Facebook called Save Ian's Coffee Shop Facebook group, has been trying to raise money for whatever comes next for the old building.
