Council Tackles Burned Out Building

By 250 News

The building at 225 Quebec Street  as it is today (photo Opinion250 staff)

Prince George, B.C.- The owner of the building at 225 Quebec Street  will have to do something  about the building, soon.

Council has asked  staff to come back with a report on what kind of action  could be taken to  deal with the  building at 225 Quebec Street .  That building has been sitting boarded up and vacant  on Quebec Street since May of 2007.

Councilor Cameron Stolz says he wants Staff to realize he isn't looking for a report that will provide a bunch  of thumb tacks "I want a nail that we can drive into the coffin and see that this building is one step closer to being demolished."

It has been  nearly 2 years since the  building went up in flames.  The property is owned by a holding company which  is involved  in legal  action with the  insurance company over the policy that was in place at the time of the fire.

The condition of the building has become a concern  for  property owners in the immediate area of the burned out building. Eleven letters have been presented to City Council, expressing concern that the building is a nuisance unsafe and hazardous.

Independent engineering advice received by the City in 2008 suggested there were a number of issues  that needed to be resolved before the building would be fit for use. The question was whether it would be economical to repair and upgrade the building. The advice was that additional study would be required to make that determination.  The owners  of  255 Quebec Street have indicated that they will be undertaking that process before this summer.

The City has  authority  under the Community Charter to deal with  such a situation  and could order remedial action if Council considers the building to be:

(a) an “unsafe condition” (section 73);

(b) a “nuisance” (section 74); or

(c) a “thing that Council considers is so dilapidated or unclean as to be offensive to the community” (section 74).

It could order the owner to:

(i) remove or demolish the matter or thing,

(ii) fill it in, cover it over or alter it,

(iii) bring it up to a standard specified by bylaw, or

(iv) otherwise deal with it in accordance with the directions of council or a person authorized 

As was the case with the Columbus Hotel remains,  the owner would  have to be given notice, and an opportunity to  make representation to Council.

Councilor Dave Wilbur says he thinks  it has been long enough  for someone to deal with  this building,  He wants to  set a deadline   advising the  owner that if there isn't some sort of permit in place to deal with the building by July 1st, then a  demolition permit will be issued.

Councilor Sheri Green says Downtown Prince George sent a letter to the City complaining about this building a year and  a half ago and she would like to see it dealt with sooner rather than later,  "The contents of the building lie in a heap in a parking lot."

There is a piece of the structure that is overhanging the sidewalk "I just want to make sure no one gets hurt" says Councilor Garth Frizzell, who was assured the Fire Department has examined the  building, and has advised the owner of the problem.

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