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Burned-out Nelson building being re-roofed

The City of Nelson has issued a permit to put a new roof on the old Redfish Grill, the Baker Street building that burned in July 2010.
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Clean-up work is underway on the old Redfish Grill ahead of construction of a new roof. The building burned in July 2010.

The City of Nelson has issued a permit to put a new roof on the old Redfish Grill, the Baker Street building that burned in July 2010.

Work has begun to clear out remaining debris with plans to put a new top on the building before winter, city manager Kevin Cormack said Monday.

"We've been working with [the owners] to get some resolve to that building and they've agreed to put a roof on it to avoid or prevent any further deterioration," he said. "They're also cleaning up inside where there is still a bunch of material."

Cormack said the building's long-term fate is still unknown, but he considered it a positive step given the alternative would have been to apply for a demolition permit. "We're pleased they're putting a new roof on to preserve the building and optimistic they will restore and re-open it," he said.

The building, erected in 1920, always had a restaurant on its ground floor. Following the fire, the brick facade of the upper storey remained standing but without a roof. A mural of an historic Baker Street scene was put up along the lower storey.

In July 2012, a wooden canopy was erected above the lower storey after small amounts of mortar and stucco fell from the building. The following month, the city issued asked owner Sue Ying Wong to remove or repair the building within 60 days.

However, Cormack explains the building was tied up in probate, so it took a while before Wong had the authority to take action.