In this week’s committee of the whole meeting, Victoria council member Susan Kim has put forth a motion seeking answers on the status of the former courthouse building in Bastion Square.
The building in question, located at 28 Bastion Square, was the former courthouse for Victoria between 1889 and 1962.
Following the Provincial Law Courts, the Maritime Museum of BC (MMBC) called 28 Bastion Square home from 1965 to 2014, when they were notified by the BC government they would have to vacate the premises.
The reason for the MMBC moving on, according to the Province, is that the building did not meet current seismic code and could be hazardous.
The building is a heritage registered building and a national historic site, which is still owned by the Province and managed by the Ministry of Infrastructure’s Real Property Division.
It earned its historic and heritage status because it was the first major project completed in BC following Canada’s Confederation.
The building has been shuttered since 2015, and although it has a national historic designation, it is not officially protected in BC without a provincial historic designation.
Councillor Kim is worried that the building’s lack of formal protection and public access could lead to “demolition by neglect.”
She claims this type of demolition occurs when the owner of a historic property allows it to decay beyond repair.
In years past, there have been plans to restore the building with support from the Bastion Square Revitalization Association, Downtown Victoria Business Association and local arts and culture organizations.
Despite the attempts, no successful restoration has taken place.
Councillor Kim would like to use the City’s powers under the Local Government Act to order a heritage inspection of the building and request protection for the Province-owned property.
She would also like to have Mayor Marianne Alto write a letter to the Minister of Infrastructure and the MLA for Victoria-Beacon Hill to receive an update on the future of 28 Bastion Square.
The matter will be discussed in the committee of the whole meeting on Thursday, June 11th.
Related:
In 2023, Victoria Buzz sought to find out what the future held for the building.
On behalf of the Province, a senior public affairs officer for the Ministry of Citizen’s Services claimed that the cost of repairs was the main reason the building has been unoccupied for nearly 10 years.
The repair cost to have the building be accessible again would need to include a complete seismic/structural update.
At the time of the 2023 article, the Province’s goal was to revitalize 28 Bastion Square in a way that could deliver the best value to the government and the people of BC.
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