The District of Kitimat will explore options for dealing with derelict commercial buildings.
Posted by S. Piche on April 13, 2007
I think I have already stated how I thought it was unfair that we as homeowners are responsible in maintaining our properties (grass kept a certain height, etc, etc) otherwise we are issued a letter from The District telling us to clean them up or they will for us, and then turn around and bill us for doing so. Yet commercial businesses are allowed to become rundown thus lowering the property values of neighboring businesses.
I hope this is taken seriously this time and that the lawyers will see changes made… and the sooner the better!
Sheila
http://www.kitimat.themixbc.com/node/509855
Local News (The Mix 1230AM) – by John CrawfordThe District of Kitimat will explore options for dealing with derelict commercial buildings.
The issue gained national attention, thanks to a video distributed on the internet which showed the dilapidated condition of some abandoned businesses in Service Centre and Nechako Centre.
Councillor Joanne Monaghan, who bitterly complained the video made it appear all of Kitimat was like that, said the District needs a mechanism for dealing with run-down commercial buildings.
She says current provincial laws aren’t very helpful. She says a municipality is allowed to demolish derelect residential properties, but not commercial buildings.
The issue is being referred to the District’s lawyer.
visionary67 said
Sheila,
Not only do out of town owners leave their buildings to lie in ruins, but they feel they can charge ridiculous lease rates for their buildings.Kitimat is not Vanouver. Wouldn’t they rather charge a lower rate and be occupied rather than charge a high rate a be vacant. I don’t understand this, however I have heard there is some sort of tax write off. Thank god for Pauline Maitlands progressive management of the city centre mall, or it would all be vacant.
Mark
"Sheila" said
I’ve never understood this mentality – But it’s certainly not one that builds any kind of city, that’s for sure. The tax write-off must be worth more than what an annual lease rate would fetch. But at any rate, it shows that these type of business owners are NOT interested in “building” Kitimat or it’s economy.
On another note – maybe you can clear this up for me. I thought I had heard that the City Centre Mall had new owners…or was that new “management” only?
visionary67 said
Sheila,
Didn’t notice this response to just recently. I guess there is so sorta loop whole that always companies to write off the off the loss of revenue from the building. As far as the city centre mall goes, yes it was sold approx. 5 months ago (Narland Properties sold the property) I believe it fetched about 3.5 million, but don’t quote me on the exact figuire. The article in Western Investor did not say who had purchased the property. I haven’t really noticed many changes over the past 5 months, so who knows what the future will hold.
P.S did you read this past wednesday’s paper. Bob Coreless is looking into opening another theatre, lets cross our fingers and hope he’s serious.
Mark