Eight properties facing demolition across Gatineau

Sophie Demers

The Comité Demandes de Démolition (CDD) will meet on August 20 to approve or reject the requests.

All demolition requests listed have been recommended by the Service de l'Urbanisme et de Développement Durable (SUDD). After a demolition is approved by the CDD, the construction project that follows must still be approved by the municipal council.

Aylmer

29 rue du Centre 

The Old-Aylmer house was built in 1885 and, according to city documents, is considered to have “low heritage value”. The home is valued at $158,300 and the land at $289,900. According to a 2022 inspection, the building's foundation is cracked and causing water damage. The cost to repair the home is estimated at $250,000. The proposed plan after demolition is a three-storey eight-unit residential building.

891 and 901 chemin Vanier 

The adjacent houses on chemin Vanier are facing demolition to build five four-storey apartment buildings, each containing 24 units, for a total of 120 units. Neither building is on Gatineau’s built heritage lists. According to city documents, both buildings have several sanitary and structural problems. The 891 chemin Vanier house was built in 1955. It is valued at $283,300 and the land at $189,800. The 901 chemin Vanier house was built in 1945 and is valued at $324,300 and the land at $183,300.

Hull

104 rue Kent

The three-unit, two-storey home built in 1955 is not listed on Gatineau’s built heritage list. The building is in an advanced state of disrepair; the estimated cost of restoration is $870,000. The building is valued at $139,100 and the land is valued at $108,300. The building cannot be occupied due to structural issues. The plan after demolition is to build a three-storey three-unit multi-family home.

Gatineau
  

261 boulevard Maloney Est
Due to a fire, the 1964 commercial building would require $162,881 to completely restore. The current building is valued at $13,700 while the land is valued at $353,100. The owner is not planning to rebuild after demolition; the plan for the cleared site is to level it, then add turf. A fence or hedge will then be installed to limit access.

215 rue Bellehumeur

The commercial property is occupied by three commercial buildings, 215, 195, and 205 rue Bellehumeur. Only 215 Bellehumeur is facing demolition. The 1991 building has no heritage value. The building is valued at $3,435,100 and the whole property is valued at $6,887,500. The building is not in disrepair but the owner states that it is no longer compatible with its use. After demolition, a new commercial building with an area of 1,625 m2 is planned for the site. The plans also include removing some parking spaces and a new access on boulevard de la Gappe. Gatineau’s mobility department is not in favor of the additional access point. 

7 rue de Chapleau
The home built in 1985 is in disrepair due to a house fire last September. Due to the extreme fire damage, the home cannot be rebuilt. The owners plan to build a one-storey, single-family residence replacing the old one.

Masson-Angers

895 chemin de Montréal Ouest

The house was built in 1945 but is not listed on Gatineau’s heritage list. The building is in “good to fair” condition and does not require restoration. The reason for demolition is to free the land to build 72 housing units divided between seven buildings. Due to a stream of water on the property, the project will need authorization from the Ministère de l'Environnement, de la Lutte contre les changements climatiques, la Faune et les Parcs.

The CDD meeting will take place on August 20 at 4:30 pm in the Mont-Bleu Room on the 1st floor of the Maison du Citoyen, located at 25 rue Laurier. Any Gatineau resident hoping to address the committee must be present at the meeting. Others wishing to watch the meeting can do so online. Within 30 days of the Committee's decision, any Gatineau resident may request a review of the decision. This will suspend the demolition until the council reviews the appeal. This process costs $122.50.

Photo caption 1: Construction plans for 104 rue Kent, if demolition gets approved.

Photo caption 2: Construction plans for a commercial building at 215 rue Bellehumeur.

Photo caption 3: Construction plans for 895 chemin de Montréal Ouest after demolition, seven buildings with a total of 72 units.

Photo credit: Courtesy of the City of Gatineau