The Anderton Arms apartment building in Courtenay is set for demolition after being acquired by the City, the municipality announced in release Wednesday (July 31).

Tenants of Anderton Arms are being given four months to find new accommodations, in line with the Residential Tenancy Act guidelines. The city is offering monetary compensation to tenants based on how long they have lived in the building. The city has retained the M鈥檃kola Housing Society to support tenants in their search for new housing and help coordinate their move.

鈥淲e know this is very difficult news for tenants, who must relocate. The City does not take these steps lightly, and the City is working to provide support to ease the relocation process,鈥� said Geoff Garbutt, city manager. 

In Dec. of 2023, structural engineers detected movement of the sheet pile wall located between Anderton Arms and Courtenay River. In a letter sent to residents, it was stated that there was a risk of death due to the structural issues. 

鈥淲e advise you: the retaining aall is now at risk of partial or full failure. If the retaining wall fails, it has the potential for: damage to and loss of personal property; damage to and failure of physical infrastructure, buildings utility services and structures; injury to persons; and death,鈥� stated the letter.

The city had been monitoring the retaining wall since 2016 while the whole building had been on the city鈥檚 radar for more than 40 years. Since December, structural assessments of Anderton Arms have identified several signs of structural distress. 

If the monitoring of the retaining wall detects any signs of failure, tenants will be immediately evacuated. The city has informed tenants of the signs of imminent failure and the steps to take if such failure is detected.

鈥淭he Comox Valley 鈥� like many other communities in B.C. 鈥� is facing an affordable housing crisis that makes this situation particularly challenging. We have brought M鈥檃kola on board to help these tenants navigate the path ahead,鈥� said Garbutt.

The Anderton Arms building is one of two buildings located behind the sheet pile of the Anderton Avenue retaining wall. The City intends to expropriate the former Cona Hostel located at 440 Anderton Ave,, to address the risk with the retaining wall.

The city purchased the Anderton Arms property for $1.55 million.