The City of Cambridge is expected to move ahead with plans to demolish a 130-year-old house that stands in the way of a plan to construct a parking lot, rest area and canoe launch on the corner of Townline and Black Bridge roads.
Recent approval from the municipal heritage advisory committee, and council at a later date, means the final piece is in place for the city to go ahead with the $20.6 million Black Bridge Road project set to begin later this year.
It involves the realignment of the road to connect with a new concrete span over the Speed River.
The historic steel truss on Black Bridge will be repurposed as a pedestrian and cycling crossing, establishing the need for parking and other amenities next to the trail access.
A heritage planning staff recommendation to allow the demolition comes two years after the city settled with the previous owner of 4910 Townline Rd. after he threatened to fight expropriation at the Ontario Land Tribunal.
Reaching a $1.38 million compensation agreement with the former owner cost the city $100,000 more than budgeted.
Once the dispute was settled, the city had to undertake a heritage impact assessment since the property lies within the Black Bridge Cultural Heritage Landscape and is adjacent to the designated Blackbridge mill.
The house was thought to have been built around a log cabin erected in 1870, but further investigation revealed that isn't the case. The home was built around 1890, was altered considerably over the last century, and is of minimal heritage value.
Staff asked MHAC to review and approve the HIA last week and sign off on a salvage plan for the demolition.
The city will save what it can from the late 19th century home, including fieldstone foundation material, red brick masonry, hand hewn timber floor joists, and an interior wooden door and hardware.
