A cluster of buildings at the corner of Bayfield and Sophia streets in downtown Barrie have been razed and much of the rubble trucked away.
The buildings, some of which were old homes that had been turned into offices in recent years, came down to make way possibly for affordable housing.
Demolition permits were issued and carried out for 6, 8 and 12 Sophia St. E., as well as 113 and 115-117 Bayfield St.
The properties are owned by a not-for-profit board of directors and officials have said they hope to submit a site-plan application this year and, subject to approval, begin construction soon after.
While the buildings weren’t protected by the city’s heritage registry, Cathy Colebatch, who sits on the Allandale Neighbourhood Association (ANA) executive committee and has also been involved with the Historic Neighbourhood Strategy group, says it’s tough to see old homes knocked to the ground anywhere in the city.
Colebatch said she was “very saddened and disappointing” to see those buildings had been demolished, particularly the turreted former Scythes family home which stood at the corner.
Colebatch said the ANA has worked closely with the city to create special building guidelines for infill projects in the Allandale neighbourhood.
“Unfortunately, these guidelines and policies only relate to Allandale currently,” she said, adding she’d like to see those guidelines used in other parts of the city, too.
Heritage Barrie is the advisory group that works to recommend and list historic properties.
“Given it has been in existence since 1977, and we only have some 30 listed and non-listed properties, our city needs to hire a professional, dedicated heritage planner,” Colebatch said.
Colebatch said Barrie needs to find more ways to save old architecture from the wrecking ball.
“Given all of the new developments coming to the historic neighbourhoods, we will lose more older homes until we have a new documented vision and master plan for older homes, created by a professional heritage planner,” she said.
