If repair or demolition of 3 King St. E. in downtown Dundas does not begin by next month, temporary bracing currently in place will be reviewed by the City of Hamilton.

While there is no specific deadline for the building's owner to apply for a permit to demolish or repair the structure, Planning and Economic Development Department spokesperson Debbie Spence said the city will not allow the building to remain in its current state "indefinitely."

Ms. Spence said the owner's engineers have identified the temporary bracing does not make the second floor safe for occupancy.

Meanwhile, Ontario's ministry of labour continues its investigation into the Aug. 6 roof collapse of the former Sure Print & Copy building.

Ministry spokesperson Tom Steers said this week while the investigation is ongoing, an order under the Occupational Health and Safety Act has been issued to Hermas Building Supplies to provide invoices for roofing supplies delivered to the site.

Sadique Alli, the former tenant of the second floor apartment at 3 King St. E., and operator of Sure Print & Copy on the main floor, said last week he found a new business location at 130 King St. W. in Dundas, which he is still in process of getting ready.

Mr. Alli said he has received continuing support from friends, businesses and other organizations in the community of Dundas since being forced out of his home and place of business last month.

"I really want to express my appreciation," he said. "I call it the miracle that continues to happen."

The 172-year-old building, which operated as a boarding house in the 1800s, was in the process of being re-roofed on the afternoon of Wednesday, Aug. 6 when the roof structure collapsed. At least two employees of Burlington Roofing were on the roof at the time, but no injuries were reported.

The building is owned by Amska Investments Ltd. of Burnaby, British Columbia. Amin Walji, president of Amska, told the Dundas Star News late last month he is waiting for more information on the building's condition before deciding whether to demolish or repair it.

A preliminary engineering report apparently concluded the structure could potentially be repaired. It's up to Mr. Walji to decide whether to repair or demolish the building.