By Glenn Hicks

Demolishing problem building not the solution: councillor

Oct 11, 2017 | 2:00 PM

A city councillor is the lone voice around the table against moves that could lead to the demolition of a problem residential building in the downtown. 

Owned by the Full Gospel Outreach Centre, 925 Central Ave. has attracted hundreds of calls for police and bylaw officers, and by the owner’s admission has had issues with drug dealers and gangs. Downtown businesses have raised concerns about the crime around the site and how that’s deterring people from shopping in the area.

However, councillor Terra Lennox-Zepp is not in agreement with her fellow councillors on how to proceed.

“Demolishing the building does not solve the issues,” she said. “What the city should be spending its money on is ways to reduce crime, not ways to move it to other parts of our city.”

The building accommodates around 40 tenants in 15 rental units. Six other units are currently not suitable for occupation.

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Mayor Greg Dionne said the property has been a sore point in the downtown for many years and has gotten worse in the last year and a half.

Lennox-Zepp said instead of spending money on demolition proceedings, the city should be looking at other options.

“Doing things like building more affordable housing so people have safe places to live, and spending money on services used by people who are trying to get out of crime,” she said.

–With files from Tyler Marr.

panews@jpbg.ca

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