Is there a health hazard to a planned demolition site?

A concerned Ward 27 resident is sounding the alarm on what he believes is the presence of asbestos in the Hilton Garden Inn at 241 Jarvis St. at Dundas St. E.

The hotel is slated to be demolished to make way for the Easton’s Group’s Dundas Square Gardens condos. A groundbreaking ceremony for the condo project was scheduled for Sept. 30.

Jordan Stone, who lives in the co-op building next door, says he was told 241 Jarvis was “an asbestos building” 15 years ago by local architectural scholar John Martins-Manteiga.

“I didn’t really think much of it because I figured they would be moving it,” said Stone “It was when they were doing the renovation for the hotel [in 1998], where I saw a lot of workers going in and out, covered in dust and not wearing masks.”

When confronted by Stone, neither the workers nor the foreman knew anything about the possibility of asbestos. As Stone did not, at that point, have anything to substantiate his claims, they weren’t concerned enough to stop the renovation work.

However, Stone was concerned enough to keep digging.

Stone obtained records from the federal government that confirm that an inspection performed in 1990, when 241 Jarvis was the Mulock Building, found stable but easily crumbled asbestos on beams and on ceiling tiles.

An inspection performed by Fenco MacLaren in 1998 determined that all accessible asbestos materials had been removed. The inspection also revealed that minor amounts of asbestos may remain in concealed spaces and should be removed and encapsulated if they are discovered.

To date, Stone says he hasn’t been able to find satisfactory confirmation of any further asbestos removal or inspections, which has raised concerns regarding the potential effects of airborne asbestos on his neighbourhood if the building is demolished.

On Aug. 7, Stone received a letter from the Ministry of Labour stating that asbestos had been removed in 2000 by Demco Manufacturing and in 2001 by 1293446 Ontario Inc. Yet according to Stone, further investigation revealed that the former company produces art supplies and that the latter is a financial holding company that previously owned 241 Jarvis before transferring it to Dundas Square Gardens, Inc. in 2014.

When Stone sought clarification from the Ministry of Labour, he was informed by e-mail that there were never any asbestos records from 241 Jarvis—which struck him as odd given the 1990 inspection and the fact that records concerning hazardous materials must be created and retained for 40 years.

When Stone sought clarification from the Ministry of Labour, he was informed by e-mail that there were never any asbestos records from 241 Jarvis—which struck him as odd given the 1990 inspection and the fact that records concerning hazardous materials must be created and retained for 40 years.

Stone later called the Easton’s Group to inquire about the potential concerns.

According to Stone, an Easton’s Group representative demanded he provide them with copies of all the documentation he’d collected and he says their tone was “very threatening,” although no specific threats were made.

According to the Ministry of Labour, an inspector visited 241 Jarvis on Sept. 24 following a complaint and informed the building owners that they are required to record and determine the location and condition of any and all asbestos materials within.

Stone has continued to bring his concerns to city hall and has consulted environmental lawyer Frank Zechner in an attempt to halt demolition or at least stall it long enough to allow for a more thorough inspection.

If all else fails, he intends to do whatever it takes to protect his neighbourhood and has been rallying the support of his community.

“Everything should go through an environmental assessment review. I don’t understand how such a thing could be passed,” said local documentary filmmaker Mehernaz Lentin, “Considering the amount of paperwork Jordan [Stone] has, there needs to be a proper review on the asbestos content of this building.

“This should be taken seriously.”

The Bulletin verified that no demolition permit has been issued to the owners. The condo project will be in front of the Committee of Adjustment in November.

Requests for comment from the Easton’s Group were unanswered at press time.

Posted On: October 01, 2015