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Heritage Home Saved: City Reverses Demolition Plan
15 Sep
Summary
- City staff now recommend conserving Nan Finlayson's former heritage home.
- Construction plans changed, reducing the need to demolish the 100 Stanley St. property.
- Finlayson lost her home six years ago to a road-widening project.
A heritage home in London, previously slated for demolition, is now recommended for conservation by city staff. Nan Finlayson's former residence at 100 Stanley St. was expropriated over six years ago for a road-widening project tied to a $51 million CN rail overpass replacement. Despite Finlayson accepting a $500,000 offer in 2020, the project remained at a standstill and did not receive funding in the city's 2024-2027 budget.
New recommendations suggest retaining the house due to changes in the construction method for the CN Bridge. This shift has reduced the original justification for demolition. City staff believe demolishing the heritage house would lead to an irreversible loss of a significant cultural resource and propose alternatives like retaining walls or porch removal.
Councillor David Ferreira supports the staff's recommendation, stating that demolishing the house appears unnecessary with the revised construction plan. Finlayson, now 84, has moved and made her new house a home, though she admits to mixed feelings about her former residence remaining standing. She hopes the house will be renovated and used for a purpose that benefits the city, such as an addiction centre.
