Construction blasting forces workers out of federal office building – CBC.ca

A federal office building on Sparks Street in downtown Ottawa has been evacuated after blasting from a nearby condominiumproject in January caused extensive damage, according toPublic Services and Procurement Canada.

On Saturday, trucks lined up at 107 Sparks Street, known as the Birks Building andhome to the deputy minister of Public Services and Procurement Canada, as movers brought out several floors worth of furniture, the final stage in the building's evacuation.

"Following blasting work on a construction site across the street on Jan. 16, 2017, damage was observed in PSPC's building at 107 Sparks St. In the interest of putting health and safety first, occupants were immediately evacuated," said PSPCspokespersonJean-FranoisLtourneauin a statement Saturday.

Moving trucks lined up as movers took all the furniture from several floors of the Birks Building at 170 Sparks Street. (CBC/Amanda Pfeffer)

"Structural engineers were brought in to inspect the building the same day and determine its condition. They identified structural issues."

The Birk Building at 170 Sparks Street housed the offices of the Deputy Minister of Public Services and Procurement Canada. (CBC/Amanda Pfeffer)

The statement goes on to say structural engineers decided the building was "not suitable for occupancy," and PSPC has been moving staff to new office space downtown.

"Immediate measures were taken to install temporary shoring, and work is proceeding to reinforce the building's structure on a longer-term basis...Further study will be undertaken for medium- to long-term planning for 107 Sparks," concluded the statement.

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Construction blasting forces workers out of federal office building - CBC.ca