Leaning north-end Hamilton home no longer an ‘imminent risk’: city

The City of Hamilton says neighbours of a precarious new build in Hamilton’s north end can return home after the building was deemed to no longer be an “imminent risk” on Wednesday.

Building division staff with the city say they received the confirmation from the professional engineer tasked with examining the building.

Officials say an order to comply under the Ontario Building Code was issued to the owner of the home Wednesday that requires them to submit ongoing monitoring reports of shoring measures and the start of either re-alignment or demolition within one week of the order being issued.

Despite the green light from the city, some who live in the neighbourhood have their doubts.

One nearby resident, who preferred to remain anonymous, said he thinks the situation could culminate in a lawsuit.

“They’re trying to assess whether they want to continue with the project, to structurally stabilize it again,” he told CHCH News. “My feeling is, there could be litigation issues down the road if they try to repair what’s been done.”

WATCH MORE: Neighbours of leaning north end Hamilton house told to leave indefinitely

The leaning structure forced neighbours out of their homes amid a fear of the home collapsing after an off-duty inspector first noticed the problem last week.

“Obviously there’s some significant deflection in the wall, some movement, some racking, movement of the first and second floors,” said Bob Nuntall, Hamilton’s Manager of Building Inspections.

“Racking really is a diagonal twist of walls and framing structures, so it was a bit of movement on the second floor that caused the main and second floors to start to lean.”

According to the city, Ferrie Street will remain closed between John and Catharine until the remaining work is completed. There is no word on a potential timeline for its reopening.

WATCH MORE: Leaning home sparks concerns of a collapse in Hamilton’s north end