Facebook helps keep 'the Wick' standing

London Free Press Wed, August 20, 2008

By JONATHAN SHER

One of the world's newest technologies has helped save -- for now at least -- one of London's oldest buildings from the wrecking ball. With the Brunswick Hotel being threatened by demolition, those who wanted to save it launched a 'Save the Wick!' campaign on the social-networking website Facebook that more than 600 people had joined as of yesterday, most from London, but some from all over Canada and even other countries. Supporters were provided with contact numbers and e-mails for 10 council members -- nine voted to seek heritage designation rather than issue a demolition permit. The 10th was absent. Every one of those nine votes was critical -- council voted 9-8 to take steps that could protect the structure built in 1855. "It's great," Controller Gina Barber said yesterday. "Facebook allowed for grassroots organizing. I think we're going to see more of that." The activism may also make for a stronger case for heritage designation, said Joe O'Neil, who chairs the London Advisory Committee on Heritage. It is O'Neil's committee that tomorrow will begin to build a case for historical designation, a task made easier, he said, by what he learned by those who saw the Facebook page. While the long history of the hotel is known, those who read Facebook pointed to a second reason the building should be saved -- its role as a launching pad for independent and underground bands. "It's really a grunge rock art incubator," O'Neil said. "That caught me totally off-guard." That musical role gives the building cultural value, one of four criteria used to designate heritage properties -- along with history, architecture and and a building role in the streetscape or neighbourhood. While history is the Brunswick's strong suit, its cultural role could serve as a tipping point in an decision. Some of those who posted on the Facebook page also disputed claims by the owner of the Brunswick that the top two floors of the building were condemned -- some wrote that bands rented upper rooms for practice and storage space. The Free Press was unable to reach the owner of the Brunswick yesterday.

Voting to seek heritage designation Monday were Barber and councillors David Winninger, Bill Armstrong, Nancy Branscombe, Judy Bryant, Steve Orser, Walter Lonc, Paul Hubert and Joni Baechler.

Opposing the designation were Mayor Anne Marie DeCicco-Best, controllers Tom Gosnell and Bud Polhill and councillors Harold Usher, Roger Caranci, Paul Van Meerbergen, Bernie MacDonald and Cheryl Miller.