In fall 2023, Kelsey Martin and her City of Edmonton teammates helped to demolish several unsafe structures across Edmonton.
She works as a Municipal Enforcement Officer and is a member of the Problem Properties Team (PPT), which is dedicated primarily to the neighbourhoods most affected by problem properties.
“Neglected, vacant buildings are much more than eyesores in Edmonton neighbourhoods,” says Martin. “They can be a serious public health risk and a burden on emergency services. They can also attract criminal activity.”
According to Edmonton Fire Rescue Services, fires in unsecured vacant properties are a leading risk to the safety of firefighters and the community at large.
“Our team works very closely with Fire Prevention Officers to secure as many vacant structures as possible,” says Martin. “But sometimes it’s better for everyone if a structure is demolished.”
The establishment of the PPT has led to increased orders and tickets issued at problem properties, resulting in a substantial number of unsafe, vacant properties being demolished by their owners.
However, where owners continue to neglect their properties, the PPT turns to other measures, including coordinating the demolition of smaller structures, such as garages that are in extreme states of disrepair. This work is part of Edmonton’s Problem Property Initiative. In December 2022, City Council approved permanent funding to implement the City’s long-term strategy to address properties that cause frequent and serious safety concerns and complaints to the City.
“Our team issues enforcement orders and tickets for a variety of nuisance conditions at problem properties,” says Martin. “But we’ve demolished these particular structures because of their danger to public safety. They were previously damaged by fire and were structurally unsound. By removing them, we’ve eliminated multiple safety risks, including the risk of future fire.”
Garage demolitions in Alberta Avenue, Boyle Street, and Strathcona have each involved the removal of up to 20 thousand kilograms of debris, followed by the leveling of the sites to the required grade.
“This is new work for our team. It began for us last fall, and the mild start to winter allowed us to get several structures demolished. Now that we have the experience, we expect the work to ramp up significantly in 2024. We already have several more structures identified for demolition in the spring.”
Vacant buildings that are identified as problem properties are monitored to ensure that they are secure and inaccessible to the public. When conditions present a risk to public safety, fencing and 24-hour security can also be ordered at the property owner’s expense.
In all cases where the Problem Property Initiative facilitates the demolition of unsafe buildings, the costs incurred by the City are transferred to the property owner.
To learn more about the Problem Property Initiative or to report a property, visit edmonton.ca/ProblemProperties.
Editor’s note: the pic at the top of the post shows two members of the Problem Properties Team in front of a clean up in progress.