City knocking off number of debris-filled lots

Jeff Keele reports on the city’s claim it’s making progress tackling a blight that has plagued many inner-city and North End neighbourhoods.

Wayne McIvor lives next to a pile of rubble on Pritchard Avenue and across the street from another one.

They were once homes and both destroyed by fire.

Sadly, McIvor said he’s used to seeing this all around his neighbourhood.

“It’s a disgrace,” said McIvor. “Seeing all these homes going up in flames, even businesses, you know it’s a shame.”

Vacant building fires have been plaguing inner-city areas of Winnipeg for the last few years. In some cases, partially burned structures or piles of debris linger for months, even years.

Now the city said it’s making progress on clearing them up.

Earlier this month the property committee heard the city is dealing with 117 properties damaged by fire, 40 of those are rubble-filled lots, which is down from the 80 to 90 referred to the city from a year to 18 months ago.

The added cleanups come after the city started a team last year to respond to unsafe properties. It said initial inspections are happening within two days.

Plus, Property & Development Committee Chair Evan Duncan said other new measures are helping city departments tackle the problem of derelict property owners.

“It’s because of the teeth that we’ve given them,” said Duncan. “It’s clear right now to these property owners that if you’re not cleaning up these sites, we will do it for you, and it will be applied to your tax and potentially lead to seizure of property.”

Duncan also said in the last few months 15 sites have been cleaned up in the William Whyte neighbourhood alone.

William Whyte Neighbourhood Association President Darrell Warren said lots are getting cleaned up, but the problem persists.

“We’re losing the battle right now,” said Warren.

Warren said the city is doing what it can, but it’s still not fast enough. He said they just can’t keep up with the number of fires. Warren believes an arson task force is needed to hold those responsible for setting the fires accountable.

“For the neighbourhood, it’s very scary,” said Warren. “Because if you live next door to one of these properties, there’s always a chance that your house could catch fire.”

There is hope.

Another vacant lot right beside McIvor’s house is empty and ready for a fresh start.

“Hopefully they’ll be building new homes. It will be all new homes here,” said McIvor.