Derelict demolition
It could cost taxpayers more than $200,000 if city hall forces the demolition of the Inn at Westview.
City of Powell River chief administration officer Mac Fraser updated council at a committee of whole meeting last month on progress against the derelict building, located next to Town Centre Mall.
The city has received numerous complaints about the building over the years and has tried to seek a solution with the property owner, Seaboard Hotels, which also operates Beach Gardens Resort and Marina.
According to a recent environmental assessment of the derelict building, the cost to tear it down could be as high as $500,000 due to its hazardous condition, said Fraser.
The building and property’s value is assessed at $326,000.
While it is possible the owner could walk away from the property, leaving the city to absorb the cost of dealing with it, Fraser said he did not get any indication that the owner would do so.
He told the meeting he is not yet ready to present a solution to deal with the property, but wanted to provide an update and report that dealing with the building may be more complicated than first anticipated.
The city is seeking a net-zero cost solution, he said.
