Mr Broad was refused a demolition permit and instead ordered to make the unsafe former dairy comply with the Building Act. On April 20, building safety officer Chris Randell issued a dangerous building notice giving the owners until May 9 to comply.
"The building according to the [engineers'] report presents a danger to the public passing by and to other property," the notice said.
Mr Broad said parts of the building could collapse in a mild earthquake or high winds.
The building, which operated as a dairy until about six months ago, was about 100 years old.
Work would get under way as soon as possible to remove the parapets and the veranda. That would create a "truly ugly building" in time for the Rugby World Cup when Dunedin would be on show, Mr Broad said.
He said he alerted the council to the building's safety issue and had been surprised at what appeared less concern for public safety than retaining the streetscape.
The council was acting as "King Canute" resisting a "tide" of crumbling old buildings in Dunedin for which there was too little economic growth to redevelop.
Mr Broad had a significant interest in the Smith St and Stuart St intersection area, and long-term there would be a redevelopment plan, but that was many years away.
DCC city environment general manager Tony Avery said staff were unable to respond to Mr Broad's comments yesterday because of the weekend but would look at the matter today.
