THE Kingston and St Andrew Corporation (KSAC) and the owner of the building in Cross Roads that it has condemned, are currently in discussions to determine how best to correct the breaches that had the building marked for demolition.

Engineers and architects for businessman Michael Dibbs – the owner of the building at 14 Caledonia Avenue – and the corporation’s engineers have been going through the building to identify the various breaches with a view to taking corrective measures, according to Dibbs’ lawyer, Jalil Dabdoub.

Should both parties come to an amicable settlement, this would be good news for the scores of shop owners, whose livelihood depend on the restaurants, beauty salons and other businesses they operate out of the two-storey building, which is constructed along a gully bank.

If no agreement is reached, the matter will return to the Supreme Court where Dibbs will continue his efforts to have the demolition order granted to the corporation in June reversed.

A November 5 date has been set for the court to be updated on the discussions.

The KSAC had sought to demolish the building which it says is a safety hazard due to its many building breaches – and because it was constructed without permission.

The KSAC was in the process of demolishing a section of the structure on August 16 when it was stopped in its tracks by a court order.