Estimated read time: 2-3 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
TORONTO (AP) — Police have closed off a number of blocks in Toronto's downtown financial district because of an unstable antenna on the Trump International Hotel and Tower Toronto.
Toronto police said Monday the area will be closed until at least noon on Tuesday. Several blocks around the luxury hotel and condo are cordoned off in what is a key part of the financial district. It has caused traffic chaos and police are stationed at the corner of each cordoned off block.
The Trump building, located on Bay Street, Canada's version of Wall Street, is in an area normally bustling with people and cars.
"There will be a considerable amount of time before it is rectified," Toronto police spokeswoman Caroline de Kloet said. "City of Toronto engineers are working on it."
The building's namesake is billionaire Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump, who often likes to make the case that he's qualified to be president because he can build great buildings. The construction on the building started in 2007. It wasn't opened until Jan. 31. 2012.
Trump owns the hotel management company. Neil Labatte, President of Talon International Development, the building's developer, said in a statement that Trump Hotel management noticed in routine preventative maintenance that the spire on the roof may need further inspection and alerted police as a precaution.
"Talon's technical specialist was quickly dispatched to the area, and found that the concerns were unsubstantiated. Talon is continuing its due diligence and is now awaiting a final report from its technical team. As soon as Talon has the final report, the police department will be notified," the statement said.
Toronto Mayor John Tory issued a statement calling for an investigation and saying he wants those responsible for the disruption to be held accountable. The mayor said he is concerned about the impact on traffic, and the city has told the building's owners to ensure there is no risk to the public.
Copyright © The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
