A retired construction site manager says a landmark Victorian building in Hull city centre's Fruit Market should not be demolished.
The city council says the structural condition of Wellington House, in Wellington Street, is unsafe.
The empty building had been earmarked for conversion into apartments until a recent fire.
But Trevor Ward, who worked on a number of major building projects in Hull during his career, including the KC Stadium, said he did not believe the demolition was necessary.
"From what I can see of the building, it hasn't dropped an inch.
"I worked on the St Mary's Court shopping scheme in Beverley where all of the 16th century beams from the original building were retained incorporated into the design of the new shops.
"I can't see why that sort of thing can't be done at Wellington House.
"It doesn't need demolishing, it should be renovated."
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