City of Powell River is currently in a state of in-between in ongoing discussions with owners of the former Inn at Westview building, according to city clerk Chris Jackson.
Reporting to committee of the whole on September 4, Jackson said the city is waiting for a response from the building’s registered owner, Seaboard Hotels, through its representative Jack Barr. In a letter from its lawyers, the city has asked Seaboard to pay an outstanding fee for inspection and project manager’s fee totalling approximately $7,500 to date.
“We've sent them the lawyer's letter asking for the bill to be paid and we want to give them some time, some due diligence there, so they can respond,” said Jackson.
There is no timeline, according to Jackson, but he said he hopes to receive an answer in 30 days, which would raise the issue of the eyesore during the campaign for the next general election on October 20.
The back and forth has been going on for years over what many call the white elephant in the middle of the city.
In March 2018, city council took control and began the process for tearing down the derelict building.
The reason for the current holdup is the same as it has been for months: engineering reports from Seaboard that the city wants to make public.
“We have to know if we need to go further on the engineering,” said mayor Dave Formosa. “If the owners will give up their engineering report then we won't have to hire an engineer.”
Formosa said the city cannot send anyone into the building because it is unsafe.
If Seaboard refuses to give up the reports for public release, Formosa said the city will go ahead and hire its own engineer to determine if the site is safe to enter and complete a cost analysis.
Previous estimates have put the price tag for demotion between $600,000 and $1 million, which taxpayers could end up paying.
“Once this last step is done, if the owner doesn't have their act together by then we will order a demolition, the city will have to plan the funds and we take possession of the property,” said Fomosa. “My bet is they will pay the bill.”
