By: Matt Weingarden, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Tilbury Times Reporter
Ward 1 Councillor Melissa Harrigan says delays in resolving the issues at 47-49 Queen St. in Tilbury have been frustrating, but efforts are ongoing to find a solution for the downtown site.
The Municipality of Chatham-Kent says it is continuing efforts to see demolition work completed at 47 and 49 Queen St. N. in Tilbury, but progress remains stalled as engineers address structural issues in neighbouring buildings.
Demolition activities at the Queen Street properties were paused after engineers identified serious structural concerns with adjacent buildings at 45 and 55 Queen St. N. Officials say these issues have made it unsafe to proceed with further demolition work at this time.
“The length of time it has taken to resolve the issues at 47-49 Queen St. has been frustrating for all involved. This update clarifies the current state and the complexities involved. I am actively working with staff to ask how CK can expedite a solution for our downtown,” said Melissa Harrigan, Ward 1 councillor in Tilbury.
Since both 45 and 55 Queen St. N. are privately owned, the municipality says it has been working closely with the property owners and their insurers to develop a plan to address the structural issues, allowing the demolition of 47 and 49 Queen St. to resume safely.
In an update to the public, municipal officials say they have been in active communication with the owners’ insurer to confirm a plan that would see 45 and 55 Queen St. stabilized as soon as possible.
According to the municipality, on Feb. 3, 2025, the insurer informed officials that they had received an engineering report that was both necessary and anticipated. That report contains recommendations for addressing the structural concerns at the neighbouring properties.
The insurer has advised that it is now reviewing the engineering report and working directly with the owners of 45 and 55 Queen St. to determine an appropriate course of action to remedy the dangerous conditions.
Municipal officials stress that until 45 and 55 Queen St. are properly stabilized and the danger of further collapse is resolved, demolition work at 47 and 49 Queen St. cannot continue.
“Based on the findings of the engineering report, safety protocols will need to be established before demolition resumes, and debris will be removed to accommodate whatever plan is outlined by the insurer,” the municipality said in a statement.
Because of the prominent location of the site in downtown Tilbury, Chatham-Kent officials acknowledge that the condition of the site has become an eyesore in the community. They say they have made it clear in communications with both the property owners and their insurer that the municipality considers it a priority to move forward quickly on this project.
The buildings at 47 and 49 Queen St. N. first came to the municipality’s attention in 2022, when Chatham-Kent’s municipal building services received complaints about a collapsing structure at that location.
After a site inspection, the municipality retained a structural engineer to assess the condition of the buildings. The engineer’s report confirmed that the buildings had suffered a partial roof collapse and significant structural failures, determining that the structures were unsafe for occupancy and required either major repairs or demolition.
In response, Chatham-Kent issued an Order to Remedy an Unsafe Building to the owner of 47 and 49 Queen St. N. The order required a full condition assessment and any necessary repairs to make the buildings safe. However, municipal officials say the owner failed to comply, and as a result, demolition of the buildings was ultimately ordered.
Demolition work began but was soon interrupted when engineers identified pre-existing structural defects in the neighbouring properties at 45 and 55 Queen St. N. The engineers recommended pausing demolition until those adjacent walls could be stabilized to prevent further damage or collapse.
Following this discovery, the municipality issued Orders to Remedy an Unsafe Building and Prohibit Occupancy for both 45 and 55 Queen St. N. These orders require the owners of those properties to address the structural issues and prevent any public safety risks.
Municipal officials say they remain committed to working with the property owners and their insurers to ensure proper remediation plans are put in place. They emphasize that public safety remains the top priority and that no further demolition will take place until it is safe to do so.
Chatham-Kent is urging all involved parties to move as quickly as possible, given the high-profile location of the properties and ongoing concerns from residents and business owners in downtown Tilbury.
The municipality says further updates will be provided as more information becomes available and as plans for stabilization and demolition are finalized.
