The city's heritage fund could end up covering some of the costs to repair the historic Log Skyscraper after one of the units caught fire last February.

During its meeting Tuesday night, city council was presented with a recommendation that it spend $20,000 from the fund to restore the structure, a Municipal Historic Site on Lambert Street.

That's only half of what building owner Terry Atkins applied for after his insurance company provided $50,000 of the estimated $90,000 to cover the cost of renovating.

As Atkins told the Star last month, he had insured the building for $100,000. When he made his claim, however, his insurer – the Co-operators – informed him he had over-insured the two buildings on the property and would only be paid for the assessed value of $50,000.

With an additional $40,000 to restore the building to its original state, a requirement for such historic sites, Atkins opted to apply to the heritage fund for the cash, providing a letter, description of the work involved, cost estimates and insurance documents.

"Our main objective is to preserve our building to its original state, as it was built by Ernie Bergman in 1954, complete with hand drawn logs and original cut beams to restore it to the most original state possible,” Atkins' letter states.

The Log Skyscrapers (there is a larger three-storey building behind the two-storey building) were the first privately constructed multi-residential accommodations in the city.

"The multi-storied log construction is found nowhere else in Canada and has given them a landmark status within the Yukon Territory,” reads the report presented to council by city planner Mike Ellis.

The log buildings were designated as a Municipal Historic Site in 2000.

The heritage fund was established three years later, with one of its primary goals to assist in restoring heritage properties.

In suggesting council approve only half of what was applied for, Ellis explained that this would cover the restoration of the "character defining elements”.

As it was noted earlier in the report, under the city's heritage bylaw, no work that alters the historic character of a designated site like the Log Skyscrapers can be down unless it is done under a Historic Resources Permit.

"Upon receiving an application for a permit, the city is responsible for ensuring the character-defining elements of the building are not negatively impacted,” the report reads.

In this case, those elements include:

• the building height;

• exposed log construction;

• floor joist system and the wraparound balconies with pole railings;

• the separate exterior entrance for each floor level from the balconies all connected by stairs;

• low-pitched gabled roof, with the eaves extending over the balconies;

• the layout of the windows on each floor;

• the placement of the two buildings on the property; and

• the street level entrance to the first skyscraper with a minimal setback from the sidewalk.

"Whether or not the funding is approved, the city will be closely examining the restoration work to ensure the character-defining elements are met,” the report reads.

Ellis went on to state it's recognized that restoring heritage buildings can often be more expensive than typical repairs are.

"For example, it is often difficult and expensive to obtain custom building materials that more accurately reflect the original character of the buildings,” the report reads.

Both councillors Dave Stockdale and Florence Roberts were quick to state their agreement with allocating $20,000 for the work.

Stockdale was the first to point out that as rental accommodations, the Log Skyscrapers are revenue-generating and, in such circumstances, partial funding is appropriate.

Roberts agreed. She then went on to state she wants to see confirmation on the insurance information provided to the city prior to next week's vote on the matter.

Coun. Doug Graham was absent from Tuesday night's meeting.