Building Brechin | Township of Ramara

Future of the Brechin Municipal Properties 2287 & 2291 Highway 12

The Township of Ramara is continuing to explore the future of the municipally owned properties located at 2287 and 2291 Highway 12 in Brechin, formerly occupied by the Standard Bank and St. Andrew's Hall.

Since acquiring the properties in 2023, Council has undertaken a phased approach to better understand the opportunities, challenges and long-term potential of the site before making decisions regarding its future.

This page provides an overview of the work completed to date and will be updated as the project progresses.

Building Photos

Status Updates

The following provides information on key progress points regarding the Brechin Municipal Buildings since engagement took place in the fall of 2025:

March 9, 2026 - Council Direction

At its meeting on March 9, 2026, Council adopted the following motion:

THAT Report AD‑04‑26, Community Engagement Results – Brechin Municipal Buildings, be received;

AND THAT staff report back to Council with detailed demolition cost estimates, site remediation considerations and regulatory requirements;

AND THAT staff incorporate opportunities for heritage commemoration or salvage of architectural features where feasible;

AND THAT staff be directed to develop a proposed framework for a Request for Information (RFI) and/or Request for Proposal (RFP) process regarding the future of the properties at 2287 and 2291 Highway 12 and report back to Council.

February 23, 2026 - Community Engagement Results Presented

At its February 23, 2026, meeting, Committee of the Whole considered Report AD-04-26 - Community Engagement Results – Brechin Municipal Buildings, which provided an overview of community engagement results and potential pathways for the properties at 2287 and 2291 Highway 12 in Brechin.

Background & Reports

Background:

In 2023, the Township of Ramara purchased the two properties with the intent of supporting downtown revitalization in Brechin and exploring opportunities for future community or economic use.
Following the acquisition, staff undertook preliminary work to better understand the condition of the buildings and potential redevelopment opportunities.
In February 2024, the Township applied to the Rural Economic Development (RED) Program to support initial revitalization work, including preliminary engineering and planning activities.
The Township was approved for funding covering 30% of eligible costs, to a maximum of $148,780.
In August 2024, staff reported to Council that the project could potentially be eligible for funding through the Green and Inclusive Community Buildings Program. Council authorized staff to apply. As part of the grant application process, high-level concept designs were developed supported by the Ramara Township Public Library Board with a contribution of $9,000; however, the Township’s application was not successful.
Due to the condition of the buildings and Ministry of Transportation (MTO) setback requirements associated with their location adjacent to Highway 12, significant investment would be required to relocate, reconstruct, or substantially redevelop the properties.

February 23, 2026 - Community Engagement Results – Brechin Municipal Buildings
September 22, 2025 - Community Engagement - Municipal Assets

The buildings are known locally as:
- 2291 Highway 12 – The former Standard Bank of Canada building.
- 2287 Highway 12 – The former St. Andrew's Hall.
Combined, the buildings represent approximately 8,166 sq. ft. of space. Both are currently vacant.
The properties sit immediately adjacent to Highway 12, which is under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Transportation of Ontario (MTO).
Both buildings do not meet current MTO setback requirements, meaning they are too close to the highway.
Any major renovation or redevelopment would require the buildings to be moved back from the highway to meet current standards.

In 2023, the Township secured funding through the Rural Economic Development (RED) program to complete preliminary engineering work and assess building conditions.
Council subsequently authorized staff to apply for funding through the Green and Inclusive Community Buildings Program for construction.
That application was unsuccessful, and at present there is no secured capital funding to redevelop the buildings.

Because both buildings sit immediately adjacent to Highway 12, they do not meet current MTO setback requirements. Any major renovation or redevelopment would require:

Move and renovate the buildings to meet current setback standards, or
Demolishing and build new structure to meet the setback.

These requirements significantly affect both the cost and feasibility of any future project. Preliminary estimates indicate costs of at least:

$400,000–$700,000 to move both buildings and install new foundations
Approximately $160,000 for demolition of both buildings

A full scope has not yet been determined or priced.

The St. Andrew’s Hall and Standard Bank buildings have played a significant role in Brechin’s commercial and community life for over a century.

St. Andrew’s Hall

St. Andrew’s Hall (2287 Hwy 12) has served a variety of purposes over time. According to the Ramara Historical Society, it was originally a wagon repair shop, later became a farm equipment dealership, then a car dealership, and eventually served as a parish hall for St. Andrew’s Roman Catholic Church. The parish used both floors for community events. The building has been unusable for at least two decades due to its current condition.

Standard Bank Building

Standard Bank Building (2291 Hwy 12) originally housed the Standard Bank of Canada, later becoming a branch of the Imperial Bank, which evolved into today’s CIBC. CIBC relocated across the highway in the 1980s, and the building later housed a print shop, hair salon, and pizza place before becoming vacant. It still features a carved stone “Standard Bank of Canada” sign above its façade.