The future of the historic Janion Hotel, on Store Street, is back up in the air as Blue Sky Properties, the building's owner, has again applied for a demolition permit to knock it down. "That would be a huge loss to the city from a heritage perspective," said Mayor Dean Fortin of the building at 1610-1614 Store St. The Janion was built in 1891 as a railway hotel, but in later years was left boarded-up and empty. Inspections have revealed that many of the original interior features remain, including doors and the staircase. B.C. Registry Services lists Clara Kramer, of Oak Bay, as president of Blue Sky Properties. Kramer has long been at odds with the city over the building's fate. In 2008, Kramer applied for a demolition permit for the Janion. The city responded with a move to protect the building with heritage designation. Ultimately, the city didn't designate it and instead voted to extend a protection order to prevent its demolition in the hope that Kramer might sell it to someone interested in restoration. The property was listed for $2.48 million. Although a demolition permit has been applied for, demolition could be a long way off. The Janion is listed in the city's community heritage register, which means staff are required to withhold issuance of a demolition permit until a building permit and all other permits necessary for the its redevelopment have been obtained, according to a staff report to council Thursday. "The application has been applied for. We don't issue a permit until such time as a successful development permit has come through the system," Fortin said. Fortin didn't know if council would again consider designating the property for preservation. "Ultimately, if a development permit comes forward then council will have to turn its mind to that. It's not something that we have to do at this time," Fortin said. Fortin said he'd like to see the hotel rehabilitated. "We've seen many successful restorations of heritage buildings, for example the Mountain Equipment Co-op building and all the work that's been done by [developer] Chris Le Fevre," Fortin said. "There is an opportunity with sensitive additions, with 10-year property tax relief for seismic upgrading that the city offers through the heritage trust, that there's an opportunity, hopefully, for a win-win. "Hopefully, both the property owner and the developer can build something that works for them and something that continues to enhance what makes Victoria so unique and rich." Council simply received the information Thursday. bcleverley@timescolonist.com © Copyright (c) The Victoria Times Colonist