Do Something About Somerset House!

In November 2007, the heritage building "Somerset House", located at the corner of Somerset and Bank Street in downtown Ottawa, partially collapsed, resulting in the demolition of the interior of the building - a supported exterior facade is all that remains. In the almost 5 years since the collapse, legal wranglings between the City of Ottawa and the building owner, TKS Holdings, over the costs associated with the collapse have been ongoing. As a result, the building has become decrepit, an eyesore, and a source of embarrasment for the community rather than a source of pride. The community is in agreement that this situation has gone on too long. The signatories to this petition are calling on the City and the building owners to resolve the legal disagreements now, and to either a) retain the heritage features of the existing facade and develop the remaining lot in an innovative manner that will benefit the community and eliminate the "eyesore" that is currently in place, or B) if the existing facade cannot be used for functional use, tear it down and use the space for the benefit of the community.