Auburn Court, the structure on the left, is to be demolished.
-Junior Dowie photo
Tyrone Reid, Staff Reporter
RESIDENTS OF the Parkland South Apartment complex on Waterloo Road in St. Andrew, which is adjacent to the $16 million Auburn Court building on South Avenue, are rejoicing at the news that a demolition order was granted to demolish the structure in a matter of days.
But their joy may be short-lived as reliable sources have informed The Gleaner that Auburn Court Limited has filed an appeal in the Court of Appeal, seeking a stay of execution of the order to demolish the building by tomorrow. On Thursday, July 8, a Government-appointed Appeals Tribunal released its ruling that gave Auburn Court Limited 10 days in which to demolish the multimillion-dollar structure.
If the designated duration elapses and the building is still standing, then the Kingston and St. Andrew Corporation (KSAC) reserves the pleasure of destroying the building themselves. In addition, the KSAC would have to be recompensed by Auburn Court Limited for the job.
But while the residents say they are delighted at the Tribunal's decision to demolish the building that was slated to be the island's first bowling alley, they are careful to note that any kind of celebration now would be premature, considering that the building has not yet been demolished.
NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE
"They have been saying it over and over and still nothing has been done. It seems that anything illegal, be it murder or this (illegal) building has to be drawn out," said Karen Adair, who has been living in the nearby apartment complex for the past seven years.
Ms. Adair told The Gleaner that when she moved to Parkland South in the late '90s it was with the intention of purchasing the property. However, "When the man put up that monstrosity I lost interest," she said.
In contrast, Delbert Perrier, Jr., son of Delbert Perrier, Sr., Auburn Court's boss, is crying out for some sort of compromise. "I don't think it is fair at all. I think there can be some compromise. It is a waste and a wanton destruction of a beautiful building," he said.
Mr. Perrier, Snr., managing director of Auburn Court Limited, has been unavailable for comment. The eight-year-old running legal battle began in 1996 when the KSAC argued that Auburn Court had breached the Town and Country Planning and Building Act by constructing the building without approval.
It was also found that the building stood too close to the road. The United Kingdom-based Privy Council agreed with the decision taken earlier by local courts that the rules of natural justice were not breached and that the building is to be demolished.
