An excavator ripped through the brick wall of the former Tivoli Theatre this week, leaving a gaping hole in what was once a historic downtown landmark.

Aventus Group, the owner and developer of the property between Hughson and James Streets, says it is not currently demolishing the multi-story building, but rather prepping it for deconstruction to make way for the "Tivoli Condos."

"What is currently underway is preparation work, which includes removing interior debris, cleaning out the building and undertaking other measures to ready the site," said Edward John, a principal planner at the firm Landwise, on behalf of the developer.

However, the city says, what Aventus has started — tearing out an exterior wall — is demolition and it doesn't have a permit to do so. Staff have issued on or

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