The towel has been thrown in, when it comes to the final outcome of one of Prince Rupert's long time restaurants.
The Green Apple which has been listed as temporarily closed for more than six months now, will be permanently closed and most likely torn down shortly, after owner Gordon Lam finally decided that the process of keeping his McBride Street location open wasn't feasible anymore.
Lam has decided to sell his property to the City of Prince Rupert, bringing to an end twenty years of back and forth between the restaurant owner and his city government over the state of the roadbed around his restaurant and the condition of the foundation and pilings of his property.
The fate of the Green Apple appeared to be sealed last year when the city issued a demolition order for the property, that after structural engineers determined that the building was a danger to public safety. Despite a short extension of the demolition process, negotiations between Lam and the city did not seem to come to a successful conclusion for the property owner.
While Lam had a good number of the local population on his side, he and the city could not come to an agreement on needed repairs for the property to bring it up to the city's standards. Lam apparently decided that the struggle to keep his business operating wasn't worth the trouble anymore and has agreed to sell off his property, a project that the city first began to work on back in 2003.
No timeline for the buildings' demolition has been discussed, nor were the terms of sale released at this time. Perhaps the most likely outcome for that portion of the property frontage on McBride will be used to ease some of the traffic problems at that corner, which are particularly troublesome when trucks are trying to negotiate a right hand turn onto Third Avenue East.
As for Lam, he currently is working in the kitchen at Dolly's Fish market and has no plans to resuscitate his long time brand name in the city, bringing to an end a long time connection between his family and the city.
We have a number of stories on the issue in our Podunkian archives:
March 2008-- Council serves up a plate of fish n chips
January 2008-- Green Apple gains 45 days to find a fix for its structural challenges
January 2008-- Fish and chips, to go?
The Daily News adds to the file with details on the property dispute and its ending in Thursday's paper.
Downtown core to lose Green Apple says owner
Gordon Lam says he has given up on dream of reopening
BY CARLA WINTERSGILL
The Daily News
Thursday, July 17, 2008
Page five
After over 20 years of struggling with the city about the maintenance of his restaurant, owner Gordon Lam has made the "difficult decision" to sell the Green Apple to the city of Prince Rupert.
"It's not a really an easy decision for me," said Lam. "But the cost to repair the building was just too much for me."
In January, the famed fish and chips restaurant was condemned after structural engineers determined that the building was a danger to public safety.
Despite vocal support from members of the community, Lam was given 30 days to demolish the structure. The decision to demolish it was reversed and Lam placed a series of ads in the newspaper, announcing the Green Apple's imminent re-opening.
But it looks like that day will never come.
"I've decided to let the city have it because the way it's gone with them from beginning to end has been just ups and downs," said Lam.
Lam's issue with the city dates back as early as 1988, when he first requested in writing that the city make repairs to the retaining wall at the side of his building, which he said was damaging the support structures beneath his building. Despite numerous requests from Lam to fix the wall, he says no action was taken by city.
In 2003, the city first attempted to purchase the property from Lam, but they couldn't agree on a mutually acceptable price.
At the moment, Lam has no plans to open another restaurant at a new location.
"It don't know yet," said Lam. "Green Apple is looking finished."
Lam has seen Rupert's ups and downs over the years and was looking forward to being a part of Rupert's upcoming boom.
"We've suffered for the last seven years since the mill shut down," said Lam. "But with the port and casino, I was looking forward to business picking up."
For now, Lam is working in the back at Dolly's Fish Market.
"I couldn't get away from the fish," he joked.
Showing posts with label Green Apple closure order. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Green Apple closure order. Show all posts
Thursday, July 17, 2008
Saturday, January 26, 2008
Fish and chips, to go?
The Daily News caught up to the news cycle with their coverage of the fate of the Green Apple restaurant, a long time fixture in the city which is under the threat of closure due to structural and safety concerns about it’s McBride Street location.
As we discovered in our post earlier, Gordon Lam was granted an extra fifteen days, giving him a 45 day period to get his own assessment of his property, including a suggestion from his side of the argument that a city retaining wall may be causing his business some of its current problems, a wall that he claims to have been trying to get the city to look into for a number of years.
The situation for now for Lam is that he cannot open his restaurant for business until the issue is resolved, a conclusion which may in the end see the demolition of his 26 year old business.
Friday’s Daily featured a front page story on the issue, detailing the events of the special session of city council called last Wednesday to discuss the issue.
FUTURE OF FAMED EATERY UP IN THE AIR OVER SAFETY FEARS
By Kris Schumacher
The Daily News
Friday, January 25, 2008
Pages one and three
A "heritage business" in Prince Rupert will not be re-opening any time soon, after city council determined this week that the structure was a danger to public safety.
But more than 20 members of the public attended a special meeting of council held on Wednesday night in support of Green Apple restaurant owner Gordon Lam, who has been given 30 days to demolish his building.
The issue between Lam and the city is one that stems back nearly 20 years, but which came to a head when Lam was given a letter condemning the building following a structural engineer's site survey on Jan. 18.
The public meeting began at 6 p.m. following a closed-door council meeting on the issue, and it was immediately clear that council found itself in a difficult spot.
"There's no getting away from the fact that something needs to be done, particularly given that we have a structural engineers report in front of us that declares the building to be unsafe," said Councilor Tony Briglio.
"I could appreciate and even understand the urgency of the matter with respect to not allowing anyone into the building, but in terms of our wording I think that 'removal or demolition' without giving the option of rectifying the structure is a little bit harsh."
That sentiment was shared by other councillors, but before making any amendments to their recommendation Mr. Lam was given time to make a presentation along with supporter Jan Jesser, who helped him detail his position. Lam began by stating that he has run the Green Apple for the past 26 years and always enjoyed working in the community and that it has become the only source of income for his family.
"I've built the Green Apple reputation up all over the world since I started working here," said Lam. "The city supports the local people, and if anything goes wrong, they should give people a chance, not step on people and push them out. When a business is gone, it's gone forever."
Lam also presented council with documents showing his communication with the City of Prince Rupert throughout the last 20 years on the subject.
Lam said he has continually attempted to have the retaining wall to the side of his building repaired due to his concern that it was damaging the support structure of his building.
He also presented council with a series of pictures taken since 1988 that he claims detail the continual shifting of the retaining wall, which is not on his property.
On behalf of Lam, Jesser then outlined the business owner's long history of communication with the city, and presented council with documentation to support his account. According to correspondence between Lam and city officials, since 1988 Lam requested that the city make repairs to the retaining wall and sidewalk on Third Avenue several times, but no agreed course of action in rectifying the perceived problem was ever reached. In 2003, the city even tried to purchase the land from Lam through a real-estate agent, but they could not reach mutually acceptable price.
Jesser continued to say that Lam contacted Rupert Wood and Steel this month to formally begin a process to fix his building, and approached the city about a possible permit and about them fixing the allegedly degrading wall. A building inspector informed Lam that he could not open his restaurant until a structural engineer from Vancouver determined the structural integrity of the building. After the engineer conducted a two-hour site survey on Jan. 17, Lam was told his building had serious safety issues and was condemned, said Jesser.
"Mr. Lam takes this matter very seriously, and this is evidenced by his continually seeking the guidance and cooperative help from the city building department over the last 19 years," said Jesser. "He realizes there is a shared responsibility in making and keeping his establishment safe to the public, but he disagrees that his building is eminently dangerous. He would have initiated this process sooner if he had felt that any work done on his property would not have been negated by the fact that the city could not afford to remedy their responsibility to the retaining wall and slope which is encroaching on his structure."
After more questions were asked of Lam and Jesser by council, it was ultimately decided to amend the city's recommendations pertaining to the Green Apple, giving Lam an opportunity to have his own structural engineer inspect the building and give Lam an idea of his options and costs for repairing the structure. Lam plans to have the engineer determine what stress the Third Avenue retaining wall may be putting on his building, and hopes to come to a mutual plan of action with the city.
As we discovered in our post earlier, Gordon Lam was granted an extra fifteen days, giving him a 45 day period to get his own assessment of his property, including a suggestion from his side of the argument that a city retaining wall may be causing his business some of its current problems, a wall that he claims to have been trying to get the city to look into for a number of years.
The situation for now for Lam is that he cannot open his restaurant for business until the issue is resolved, a conclusion which may in the end see the demolition of his 26 year old business.
Friday’s Daily featured a front page story on the issue, detailing the events of the special session of city council called last Wednesday to discuss the issue.
FUTURE OF FAMED EATERY UP IN THE AIR OVER SAFETY FEARS
By Kris Schumacher
The Daily News
Friday, January 25, 2008
Pages one and three
A "heritage business" in Prince Rupert will not be re-opening any time soon, after city council determined this week that the structure was a danger to public safety.
But more than 20 members of the public attended a special meeting of council held on Wednesday night in support of Green Apple restaurant owner Gordon Lam, who has been given 30 days to demolish his building.
The issue between Lam and the city is one that stems back nearly 20 years, but which came to a head when Lam was given a letter condemning the building following a structural engineer's site survey on Jan. 18.
The public meeting began at 6 p.m. following a closed-door council meeting on the issue, and it was immediately clear that council found itself in a difficult spot.
"There's no getting away from the fact that something needs to be done, particularly given that we have a structural engineers report in front of us that declares the building to be unsafe," said Councilor Tony Briglio.
"I could appreciate and even understand the urgency of the matter with respect to not allowing anyone into the building, but in terms of our wording I think that 'removal or demolition' without giving the option of rectifying the structure is a little bit harsh."
That sentiment was shared by other councillors, but before making any amendments to their recommendation Mr. Lam was given time to make a presentation along with supporter Jan Jesser, who helped him detail his position. Lam began by stating that he has run the Green Apple for the past 26 years and always enjoyed working in the community and that it has become the only source of income for his family.
"I've built the Green Apple reputation up all over the world since I started working here," said Lam. "The city supports the local people, and if anything goes wrong, they should give people a chance, not step on people and push them out. When a business is gone, it's gone forever."
Lam also presented council with documents showing his communication with the City of Prince Rupert throughout the last 20 years on the subject.
Lam said he has continually attempted to have the retaining wall to the side of his building repaired due to his concern that it was damaging the support structure of his building.
He also presented council with a series of pictures taken since 1988 that he claims detail the continual shifting of the retaining wall, which is not on his property.
On behalf of Lam, Jesser then outlined the business owner's long history of communication with the city, and presented council with documentation to support his account. According to correspondence between Lam and city officials, since 1988 Lam requested that the city make repairs to the retaining wall and sidewalk on Third Avenue several times, but no agreed course of action in rectifying the perceived problem was ever reached. In 2003, the city even tried to purchase the land from Lam through a real-estate agent, but they could not reach mutually acceptable price.
Jesser continued to say that Lam contacted Rupert Wood and Steel this month to formally begin a process to fix his building, and approached the city about a possible permit and about them fixing the allegedly degrading wall. A building inspector informed Lam that he could not open his restaurant until a structural engineer from Vancouver determined the structural integrity of the building. After the engineer conducted a two-hour site survey on Jan. 17, Lam was told his building had serious safety issues and was condemned, said Jesser.
"Mr. Lam takes this matter very seriously, and this is evidenced by his continually seeking the guidance and cooperative help from the city building department over the last 19 years," said Jesser. "He realizes there is a shared responsibility in making and keeping his establishment safe to the public, but he disagrees that his building is eminently dangerous. He would have initiated this process sooner if he had felt that any work done on his property would not have been negated by the fact that the city could not afford to remedy their responsibility to the retaining wall and slope which is encroaching on his structure."
After more questions were asked of Lam and Jesser by council, it was ultimately decided to amend the city's recommendations pertaining to the Green Apple, giving Lam an opportunity to have his own structural engineer inspect the building and give Lam an idea of his options and costs for repairing the structure. Lam plans to have the engineer determine what stress the Third Avenue retaining wall may be putting on his building, and hopes to come to a mutual plan of action with the city.
Thursday, January 24, 2008
Green Apple gains 45 days to find a fix for its structural challenges
A well known landmark in the city has been provided with 45 days to examine issues regarding the safety of the structure that has long dominated the corner of McBride and 3rd Avenue East.
The Green Apple Restaurant was the topic of a special session of city council on Wednesday, after the city’s building inspector reported concerns regarding the structures stability, and potential safety concerns for the public.
CFTK’s website outlined some of the contents of a letter to owner Gordon Lam, which deemed the building was unsafe and would need to be demolished.
The building came onto the city’s radar after Lam had consulted a local contractor over some planned renovations to his building, at that time the request was passed on to the city’s building inspector and an out of town engineering firm.
From there the restaurant was ordered not to reopen to the public and Lam appeared in front of the special session on Wednesday night to present his case on the issue. Part of which was some frustration on his part over his attempts to gain the city’s attention over troubles with a retaining wall that was causing his property troubles and for which he apparently has been trying to gain recourse over for twenty years.
He outlined his worries about his business and frustrations at the current situation in an interview on the CBC's Daybreak North on the radio network's affiliate in Prince Rupert.
The net sum of his appearance in front of Wednesday’s council session was an extension on the original date for demolition, with instructions to work with the city’s engineering department to try to come to a workable situation for all.
It’s a heart wrenching tale of a local business owner, who has invested his money and time into a business for just over a quarter of a century. Who now suddenly finds not only his livelihood but his investment and future, all left to the decision of city hall.
The restaurant is still listed on a local real estate website as for sale, with an asking price of 225,000 dollars, though it's not clear if it is still actively on the market, but if so clearly that would be affected by any order of demolition by the city.
While safety is of course a major concern for all, you have to hope that somehow an accommodation can be arrived at that will relieve the city of its concerns, while allowing Mr. Lam to continue to dish out his fish and chips as he has to Rupertites for 26 years.
The local information site e-Prince Rupert was quite active in following the trail of this situation, with a fair amount of information provided on their website, including a number of photos and reports that outlined the rapidly changing situation for Mr. Lam’s life long business.
The Green Apple Restaurant was the topic of a special session of city council on Wednesday, after the city’s building inspector reported concerns regarding the structures stability, and potential safety concerns for the public.
CFTK’s website outlined some of the contents of a letter to owner Gordon Lam, which deemed the building was unsafe and would need to be demolished.
The building came onto the city’s radar after Lam had consulted a local contractor over some planned renovations to his building, at that time the request was passed on to the city’s building inspector and an out of town engineering firm.
From there the restaurant was ordered not to reopen to the public and Lam appeared in front of the special session on Wednesday night to present his case on the issue. Part of which was some frustration on his part over his attempts to gain the city’s attention over troubles with a retaining wall that was causing his property troubles and for which he apparently has been trying to gain recourse over for twenty years.
He outlined his worries about his business and frustrations at the current situation in an interview on the CBC's Daybreak North on the radio network's affiliate in Prince Rupert.
The net sum of his appearance in front of Wednesday’s council session was an extension on the original date for demolition, with instructions to work with the city’s engineering department to try to come to a workable situation for all.
It’s a heart wrenching tale of a local business owner, who has invested his money and time into a business for just over a quarter of a century. Who now suddenly finds not only his livelihood but his investment and future, all left to the decision of city hall.
The restaurant is still listed on a local real estate website as for sale, with an asking price of 225,000 dollars, though it's not clear if it is still actively on the market, but if so clearly that would be affected by any order of demolition by the city.
While safety is of course a major concern for all, you have to hope that somehow an accommodation can be arrived at that will relieve the city of its concerns, while allowing Mr. Lam to continue to dish out his fish and chips as he has to Rupertites for 26 years.
The local information site e-Prince Rupert was quite active in following the trail of this situation, with a fair amount of information provided on their website, including a number of photos and reports that outlined the rapidly changing situation for Mr. Lam’s life long business.
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