Members of the Queensway Terrace North Community Association (QTNCA) say the rehabilitation of a derelict home in the community would be an ideal community project and are looking for a partner.

QTNCA President Henry Sweich is "very aware" of the history of 810 Norton Ave., as he resides elsewhere on the street.

The house has been vacant since 1990, when the region purchased it in order to make way for a possible future bus lane on Carling Ave. that was never constructed.

"The city's not, I think, the best landlord around," said Mr. Sweich.    "The building deteriorated.    They did very little of anything."

Mr. Sweich now calls the site "a disaster.    It has to be dug up completely."

A number of water main breaks in the area have aggravated the property's decline, he added; the most recent being a broken fire hydrant connection that doused the house.

Les Nalezinski, with the city's manager of real estate disposals, said last week that city staff are recommending that the house be demolished and the land sold.

In accordance with city policy, once it is declared surplus, the land will be open to offers from other city departments before being put on the open market.    Mr. Nalezinski said he expects the recommendation to pass through committee and council in four to six weeks.

Mr. Sweich brought 810 Norton to the association's attention last fall and, at its first meeting of 2004, he suggested that Habitat for Humanity should be made aware of the property.

"It's a residential community and we want to continue to maintain it as a residential community.    Ideally, we'd like to have another home put on that site.    I'm concerned about commercialization.    I'm also a little concerned that it could be turned into a mini parking lot for the VON across the street."

Aside from ensuring the property stays residential, Mr. Sweich said the community would welcome a Habitat project as a positive community building opportunity.    Should this come to pass, it will be the second Habitat home in the neighbourhood, joining the first on Roman Ave.    "It was built years ago and the community got involved with that one so, ideally (another) would be a nice project," said Mr. Sweich.

Joyce Stewart of Habitat said the group is busy preparing for a build this summer on Stirling Ave. in Hintonburg, and are working on a second property for a possible four-unit development.

Nonetheless, she said, "810 Norton hasn't been taken off the radar screen as yet."

In the meantime Mr. Sweich said he's looking into other public and charitable organizations that might want to get involved.

"I'm sure if we had a public organization that was prepared to put up a house for somebody, there'd be lots of support.    Within our association, we have a lot of people ready to chip in and help with a Habitat for Humanity home.    The enthusiasm's there.    It would be a worthwhile community project as well."

If nothing else, are association is going to ask (the city) to tear it down and sod it.    They've looked at the site as far as I know."