The city’s Dangerous and Vacant Buildings Program is asking for a $25,000 top up in order to meet their goals for 2019.
In 2018, the program resolved 83 cases, beating its original target of 75 cases. 50 of those buildings were rebuilt or reoccupied, and 33 buildings were demolished, 27 of which were done by the city rather than an outside contractor. In 2017, the program resolved 80 cases.
Mayor Don Darling says the numbers are impressive, and hopes to see them maintained in 2019.
“Now it’s opened up a piece of development land, so I think that is positive. I think the number of cases, I think we’re well over 200, 230 cases in the last three years now dealt with, which is an incredible result,” he said during a growth committee meeting.
Slowly but surely the program is decreasing its overall case load number, but without the extra funds, it says resolved cases may decrease by 20 per cent.
City manager John Collins pointed out during the meeting that the success of the program isn’t necessarily a matter of funds, but of staff capacity. He says taking a look at the budget structure for the program is on his list for 2020.
Darling also commended the program on its work in the North End, where vacant buildings were posing a fire hazard. The program demolished 26 buildings and revitalized 2 in the North end in 2018.
“You’ve also now created a cluster of land that from a development perspective, there’s eyes on these clusters of land now,” he added.
Focus in the North end will continue in 2019.
He also says he’s heard from a number of citizens who are impressed and thankful with the program’s fast turnaround.
“It started out as lets clean our city up and lets make our city more safe, and it’s evolved into tax base growth, neighbourhood safety enhancements,” said Darling
The program’s funding request was approved by the growth committee and will next go to common council for more discussion.
(Source: City of Saint John)
