City of Powell River staff will begin to assess potential costs associated with taking down the former Inn at Westview building after the deadline passed for the first stage of the building’s remediation.
The deadline for building owner Seaboard Hotels to apply to the city for a demolition permit passed on Friday, May 19, without an application being made.
Council upheld its remediation order for the dilapidated building at 7050 Alberni Street, a structure it deemed a public safety hazard and nuisance on Thursday, May 4.
The first step of compliance with the order was to apply to the city within 15 days for a permit to take it down.
American Investments president Jack Barr, caretaker of the former Inn at Westview building, said he was aware that the deadline passed, but he thought it was premature to proceed with the application.
The structural engineer’s report Barr had completed recently on the building did not satisfy WorkSafeBC requirements and remediation contractors are unable to enter the building, he said.
“I can’t even quote on anything because I can’t get anyone in there,” said Barr.
The building was closed by WorkSafeBC last November after concerns were raised about the safety of people entering.
Meanwhile, senior city staff members have started to meet to discuss next steps. City director of planning Thomas Knight said his department will start looking at what it will cost to hire its own structural engineer to provide an assessment.
“We have to start moving forward on our own accord so we all know how much it will cost,” said Knight.
Knight added that council can expect the staff report with potential costs to make the building safe for entry by mid to late June.
