Burned Out Building Demolished

Monday, October 05, 2009 11:26 AM

Concrete encased vault is all that is left standing of what was once a building at 2nd and Quebec Street.

Prince George, B.C. – The building at 2^nd and Quebec is no more.

The owner of the building took out a demolition permit on Thursday of last week and all weekend a demolition crew has been tearing down the building.

Mayor Dan Rogers is happy “Certainly this is a positive step, but I will get really excited when I see new development go into that corner block.”

(At right, the burned out building prior to demolition)

Over the summer, the City had passed a motion that called for the owner to demolish the building that had burned two years ago. The motion gave the owners a certain time frame to demolish the building and return the site to a safe condition. That requirement included the filling in of any hole left by the demolition.

Since the fire, the owner has been embroiled in discussions with the insurance company about settling his claim. He filed a court action against the City to try and hold the City back from demolishing the building and presenting him with a bill. A court date was to be set for November.

“There are some conditions attached to the demolition permit” says he Mayor, “We will be inspecting the site to ensure those conditions have been met.” The Mayor adds that once satisfied the site has been left in a clean and safe condition, he expects the court case will be dismissed.

As for the plans for the property, the owner has indicated he would like to sell and may approach the City to see if the City is interested in buying it.

The demolition is expected to be completed by the end of the week with the biggest challenge being the removal of the vault which is the only thing left standing at the site.

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Posted on Monday, October 05, 2009 11:26 AM in News by 250 News

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Comments

Posted by: Loki on October 5 2009 11:42 AM

I'll take the vault! As long as I can open it.

Posted by: Born in BC on October 5 2009 11:49 AM

“Certainly this is a positive step, but I will get really excited when I see new development go into that corner block.”

Dont hold your breath.

"the owner has indicated he would like to sell and may approach the City to see if the City is interested in buying it."

No the taxpayers arent interested in investing in this crap.

Besides the Computime building, which probably contributed to the end of the company, I cant think of many other new buildings to go in that area in what? 20 years.

Posted by: taxinapothole on October 5 2009 12:20 PM

I'll purchase this lot when I win the LOTTERY! If the downtown night life ever recovers, it will be like a lottery win for me as a night shift taxi driver!!!!!

Posted by: Clean on October 5 2009 1:32 PM

Its a step in the right direction.

Theres alot more properties in this city that look even worse than that old burned out building.

Any action on those properties? or was this an issolated incident to pick on this one owner?

Posted by: Vdesign on October 5 2009 1:45 PM

Good to see it knocked down, I was getting worried they were going to try to save part or all of the building, and create an eyesore for the next generation.

Location would be good, if the downtown ever cleans up.

However and as long Good to see it knocked down, I was getting worried they were going to try to save part or all of the building, and create an eyesore for the next generation.

Location would be good, if the downtown ever cleans up.

However and as long as it is full of bars, and pawn shops; and the only people who call it home reside in the half way houses, and shelters of every type that no one else wants in their neighborhood; the downtown will never clean up.
as it is full of bars, and pawn shops; and the only people who call it home reside in the half way houses, and shelters of every type that no one else wants in their neighborhood; the downtown will never clean up.

Posted by: gus on October 5 2009 2:00 PM

"Theres alot more properties in this city that look even worse than that old burned out building."

Yes, the cleaners that burned down many years ago still looks like a bombed out part of town on the lane side. A nice greeting to people coming into town from HWY16 East and travelling up Victoria Street. I bet you there are people who have been coming through town that way on several occasions over the several years and wonder why property onwers here do not clean up the mess they left.

The other one, of course, is one which people travelling to town along 5th as it switches to 4th and can be seen boarded up and unfinished on the exterior on the right hand side. That has been there for decades!!!!! Why???

Posted by: Clean on October 5 2009 3:40 PM

I dont know the owner of that burned out building but it seems the City is picking on him/her.

The City was right in taking action on that eye sore but what about all the other eye sores??????

Maybe the City should go after all those other owners of run down properties?

From 1st avenue, VLA, Queensway, Makentire,
Pinewood, and everything in between.

Posted by: Andyfreeze on October 5 2009 4:08 PM

They should have started at Victoria Street and kept going until they got to the river!
Starting to look better already!
:-)

Posted by: Palopu on October 5 2009 6:14 PM

Good question Gus. That boarded up building has always baffled me. I think it has been there since the early sixties. Dont know what the story is, however seems nothing is ever done with it.

If anyone knows the story it would be interesting to hear.

Posted by: Ocean on October 5 2009 8:56 PM

Farewell Cain Building...

Posted by: taxinapothole on October 6 2009 10:16 AM

I believe the building Gus is referring to on the right hand side of the curve where 5TH Ave. turns into 4Th Ave., had a fire in it many years ago. It has been boarded up ever since. They still must pay the taxes on the land, or it would have gone the way of the Columbus Hotel! But yes you are right Gus, lets clean it up!

Posted by: EatsBushesShoots&Leaves on October 6 2009 10:18 AM

"embroiled in discussions". Knowing Millns, that would have to be the understatment of the century!

Posted by: interceptor on October 6 2009 2:18 PM

Perhaps the discussions went as follows:
"ok sir, show us your plans to rebuild and we will settle your claim"
"I dont want to rebuild, just give me the money"
"No"
repeat for two years...

Posted by: EatsBushesShoots&Leaves on October 6 2009 2:28 PM

More like:

"Can you explain what you were doing to the electrical panel 3 hours before a fire started in the electrical panel?"

"Give me money or I'm calling my lawyer!"

"No."

Repeat for 2 years...