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Derelict buildings could be gone this year Work continues on 'public eyesore'
Shawn Giilck
Northern News Services
Published Thursday, September 26, 2013
INUVIK
There's a chance the derelict buildings on Kugmallit Road could be torn down this year.
Inuvik Fire Chief Jim Sawkins was helping Rick Lindsay of the NWT Fire Marshal's office post eviction and closure notices on several townhouses on the corner of Kugmallit Road Aug. 23. The units were previously the subject of a fire marshal's order, and have been considered a public eyesore for years. - NNSL file photo
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That's the word from Inuvik Fire Chief Jim Sawkins, who has been appointed the head of an inter-governmental task force dealing with the eyesore properties.
Sawkins said all utilities have been cut off at the townhouses, which are under at least two orders from the NWT Fire Marshal's office. Those Aug. 23 orders effectively condemned the properties as being unfit for human habitation and a health and safety hazard.
Sawkins said on Sept. 19 an electrical inspector had toured the property with Rick Lindsay of the fire marshal's office and had cut all electrical power off to it. The supply of synthetic natural gas has been cut off as well, effectively terminating the public utilities at the buildings.
At least one townhouse unit was still being lived in until more than a week ago, Sawkins said, when the tenants were served notice by the bylaw department to leave the premises that day under the eviction order.
Other units haven't been properly secured and sealed off, he said. Neighbours in the area have reported "partying" in some of the buildings.
Sawkins said a door at Unit #44 was wide open when he led an inspection of the property a few days previous to the interview.
The owner, a numbered corporation, has not been co-operative nor compliant with the orders, Sawkins said.
"I don't think he's taking this seriously," he said.
Discussions are now ongoing between legal representatives, he added, which is slowing the process down.
Sawkins said under the terms of the orders, the buildings are to be properly secured with heavyweight plywood or the equivalent over the entrances and windows. Stairs should be removed to prevent easy access to the buildings, and security fences should be erected.
"Take a look at the Blueberry Patch for an example of how it's supposed to be done," Sawkins said, referring to the nearby buildings that were formerly Aurora College residences.
He said he believes there is more than enough evidence to win a court hearing against the owner. Once that legal process is complete, the town and fire marshal's office can move fairly quickly to have the site demolished.
"I think that's what people want to see happen after all these years," Sawkins said. "And I think at this point we're talking weeks, not months."
He said he suspected contractors in Inuvik would be "lining up" for a chance to remove the buildings and clean up the site.
The bill for the demolition will be paid by the GNWT and then recuperated from the property owner. An estimated for the cost of the work was not available.
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