City issues stop-work order on historic log house

The City of Charlottetown issued a stop-work order Thursday for a log house at 15 HillsboroughStreet, fearing the historic building was about to be demolished.

Mid morning, a red tractor was parked against the building on the south side of the property. A front fork-liftof the tractor was protruding into the main floor of the house through a window space.Part of the wall around the window appeared to be buckling inwards.

Owner Ray Campbell said he was just trying to deliver a message.

The Covehead fisherman said he parked the tractor up against the log house as a form of protest.

"You're talking old buildings that have lived their life expectancy," Campbell said."Even doctors can't bring back the dead."

Even doctors can't bring back the dead. Ray Campbell

The log house isbelieved to date back to the1840s.

The city's planning department affixed a stop-work order to the front door of the houseafter being alerted by a residentat 9:10 a.m. on Thursday.

The city saidit's not clear what type of work was going on, but they feared demolition of the building might have begun. The stop-work order was issued after attempts by city officials to contact the owner were unsuccessful.

"If it walks like a duck and talks like a duck," said councillorGreg Rivard."Council is clear, it is a heritage resource."

The city warned of stiff fines if the stop-work order is not obeyed up to $5,000 a day.

Council is clear, it is a heritage resource. Greg Rivard

The tractor against the wall is attracting attention in the downtown neighbourhood.

"It's not often you see a log house from the 1800s and even rarer that you see a piece of equipment sticking out of it," said David MacLean, who was walking by."I wanted to know what's going on."

The property islisted for saleand a real estate sign in the front yard advertises the property as commercial.

Ready to donate log structure

The tractor protest was staged after a potential buyer recentlywalked away, Campbell said, citing problems with building permits.

He had previouslyhoped to renovatethe historic house for use as a cafe.

Campbell saidthe building is beyond repair, but the city won't let him tear it down.

"They want me to do what I can't do," Campbell said. "If they want the building, I'll donate it to them.

Campbell said he would donate the log house to the city, if they wouldagree for it to be moved off his property.

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