Ming Sun owners, heritage advocates win six-month window to find restoration plan for historic building

Japantown’s Ming Sun building, a heritage building across from Oppenheimer Park that seemed fated for demolition just five weeks ago, has gone from the critical list to probable recovery.

Removal of dangerous brickwork in December reassured city inspectors that the building could stand safely, creating a one-month opportunity to find a new plan that ended Jan. 31.

Councillors have now been advised that the owners met the Jan. 31 deadline and submitted a safety plan for workers accessing the building.

As a result, the city lifted the orders restricting access, giving the owners until Aug. 5 to create a new future for the building.