‘Necessary step’: Vacant Halifax school being demolished

St. Patrick’s-Alexandra School in Halifax is being demolished after years of safety complaints.

After years of safety complaints, the former St. Patrick’s-Alexandra School in Halifax is now being demolished.

Crews started tearing down the building earlier in the week. It’s located at 2277 Maitland St. between Brunswick and Gottingen streets.

Halifax Professional Fire Fighters (HPFF) has been one of the most vocal voices about the risks its members face answering calls to the building. On Friday, it said it “welcomed” the ongoing demolition.

“Our members responded to multiple fires at the vacant structure, each of which presented significant hazards to firefighters and the public,” said a statement posted to Facebook.

In March, crews responded to three fires within one week at the former school.

“We have consistently raised concerns about the risks posed by unsecured, derelict buildings across the municipality. The timely removal of these structures is a necessary step in protecting both the community and first responders,” HPFF said.

Next steps

The union representing firefighters isn’t the only group that has called for the demolition. In April, area councillor Virgina Hinch told CTV News: “It’s about time that building comes down.”

Both Hinch and Halifax Mayor Andy Fillmore previously suggested the location be used for housing.

“This is a very important site. It’s close to services. It’s on transit (routes). It’s in an existing neighborhood. It’s near everything that you need to have a really successful housing, a mixed-use housing development,” Fillmore told CTV News in April.

St. Patrick’s-Alexandra School, which originally opened to students in 1921, has been empty since 2010. The property was sold to JONO Developments Ltd. In April 2020 for $3.6 million.

JONO couldn’t reach an agreement with the municipality and shelved its plans two years ago.

A declassified report from the municipality said the property is subject to a buyback agreement that requires construction start on the site within five years of the purchase. That deadline came and went in April of this year.

Court proceedings disputing the buyback agreement terms were adjourned last August.

-With files from CTV’s Callum Smith and Sean Mott

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