New Deadline Set for Cleanup at Old GM Site in St. Catharines

The company managing the old General Motors property in St. Catharines, Ont., has received an extension of 120 days to either repair rundown buildings or tear them down, along with removing hazards from the site like shattered glass and open pits.

Following increasing complaints from locals about the concerning state of the area where GM stopped production after 80 years in 2010, the city issued property standards work orders in late May to a numbered company associated with Bayshore Groups, which acquired the large property from GM in 2014.

The city had set a deadline of 21 days, ending on June 12, for all necessary work to be completed. This work does not include addressing any potential contaminants present on-site.

Lawyer Paul Maloney, who represents Celernus Investment Partners Inc., the mortgage holder actively overseeing both sides of Ontario Street at the site, told the city’s property standards appeal committee during Thursday’s meeting that three weeks was not enough time.

He asked for a deferral on the order’s deadline by 60 days so Celernus could complete an engineering report about the site.

Four-Month Extension Granted

The committee rejected that appeal but agreed to allow four months for the company to address issues highlighted in the property standards orders. These concerns included buildings with collapsed or damaged ceilings that could pose a falling debris risk, loose and hanging electrical wires, structural supports showing corrosion and deterioration, as well as debris like rubble and broken glass scattered around.

“Twenty one days is clearly insufficient and in many ways really unfair to the owners,” Maloney stated before the committee.

Badly dilapidated buildings are seen in late June at the former General Motors property on Ontario Street in St. Catharines. (Paul Forsyth/CBC)

Residents who spoke up during the meeting shared their frustration regarding how long this property has been left in such poor condition.

“This is just a way to delay what will end up being a costly cleanup,” said resident Ann-Marie Zammit. “The time is now. No more delays, no more excuses.”

Sabrina Hill pointed out that current owners have had almost ten years to clean up what she described as “a surreal, post-apocalyptic hellscape.”

Resident Ed Smith mentioned it’s been 16 years since GM ceased operations and it’s high time for redevelopment of this space. He also noted it’s common for people like teenagers to sneak onto this fenced-off property just to take videos.

This Property Is Unsafe

“This place isn’t just ugly; it hinders neighborhood revitalization and poses clear dangers to public safety,” he remarked.

“Public trust has been lost regarding this site. We need action now,” Smith added.

Maloney stated that even though Celernus couldn’t meet the initial 21-day deadline, they reached out to an engineering firm immediately after receiving notice about compliance requirements related to those orders.

“Celernus hasn’t sat idle; they’ve taken steps toward complying with these orders,” he explained.

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