A dilapidated building in the south end of Saint John will soon be coming down due to safety concerns.
City council voted Monday to demolish the four-unit, three-storey building at 230-232 Duke Street.
The building “is a hazard to the safety of the public by reason of being vacant or unoccupied, by reason of dilapidation, and by reason of unsoundness of structural strength,” said a city staff report.
The owner vacated the building in April 2023 due to safety concerns identified by the city’s minimum property standards program.
According to the staff report, a section of the exterior load-bearing wall on the west side of the building is structurally unsound.
“A portion of the wall has buckled, visible from both the exterior and from a basement unit within the building,” said the report.
Photos show portions of the ceiling finish have collapsed in the basement and upper unit, consistent with water damage.
Officials also raised concerns that the wood floor in portions of the lower unit has deteriorated to a point where it could collapse.
“During interior inspections, staff documented that the building was being broken into and being used for shelter and sleeping quarters,” said the report.
The property owner initially planned to fix up the building but abandoned those plans after determining it was not salvageable.
While the owner intended to tear down the building and rebuild, they missed several deadlines, so city staff recommended demolition to ensure the hazardous conditions could be addressed.
City officials will bill the owner for the demolition, which is expected to cost around $55,000. If left unpaid, it will be sent to the province with the request for reimbursement.
