Table of Contents
Residents of an apartment building at the intersection of Old Orchard and Monkland avenues in Notre-Dame-de-Grâce faced an unexpected evacuation on a chilly Thursday. This action was taken after alarming findings regarding the building’s structural integrity, which the property owner, Elfaco Management Inc., had known for months but failed to communicate to tenants.
The evacuation affected fifteen households, deemed necessary by municipal authorities following an inspection that revealed critical safety concerns. Complaints about heating failures during a recent cold spell exacerbated the situation.
Delayed action raises alarms
Reports indicate that the engineering firm Ortam prepared a detailed analysis on November 3, clearly stating the building’s condition as critical and recommending immediate evacuation. However, tenants were only informed of this finding approximately two weeks before the evacuation, leading many to question the management’s transparency and response time.
“They’ve known that it’s structurally unsafe for months now and they’ve neglected to tell us,” stated tenant Lhea Noble, one of the displaced residents. She expressed her distress over the uncertainty, having spent her first night after the evacuation on a friend’s couch.
Impact on residents
The upheaval has significantly affected the lives of those forced to leave their homes, especially students like Aude Dion-Brochu, who now face interruptions in their studies. “I’m just trying to focus on my exams,” she lamented. Interim borough mayor for Côte-des-Neiges–Notre-Dame-de-Grâce, Sonny Moroz, described the situation as “very difficult” for the tenants, emphasizing the emotional and logistical strain they are experiencing.
Following the evacuation order, the city arranged temporary accommodations for the displaced residents, allowing them to stay in a hotel for up to 30 days while further investigations and necessary repairs are conducted on the building.
Management’s responsibility
Elfaco, the management company, stated that they acquired the building in and discovered multiple deficiencies resulting from years of neglect. They asserted that they acted responsibly by commissioning the November engineering report and sharing it proactively with tenants. However, the report’s insistence on immediate evacuation starkly contrasts with Elfaco’s claim that there was no imminent risk of collapse.
“The concerns raised relate specifically to floor loading in a certain area, which can be addressed through additional structural support,” Elfaco noted in their statement. Their communication, however, has done little to quell the worries of residents who feel betrayed by the delayed disclosure of critical safety information.
Commercial impact
While residents are grappling with the challenge of finding housing solutions, businesses located on the ground floor of the same building, such as Monkland Taverne and Old Orchard Pub, received permission to reopen shortly after the evacuation. Municipal authorities clarified that the commercial and residential sectors of the building operate independently, and the primary safety issues are rooted in the apartment lobby.
The owner of Monkland Taverne, Barb Irwin, expressed relief at being able to resume business but voiced deep concern for the tenants above. “They’re homeless,” she remarked, highlighting the distressing reality faced by her neighbors.
Community response and future outlook
The evacuation affected fifteen households, deemed necessary by municipal authorities following an inspection that revealed critical safety concerns. Complaints about heating failures during a recent cold spell exacerbated the situation.0
The evacuation affected fifteen households, deemed necessary by municipal authorities following an inspection that revealed critical safety concerns. Complaints about heating failures during a recent cold spell exacerbated the situation.1