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Asbestos threat halts Shannon Court demo
See related story page 10 Jessica Peters The Progress Shannon Court lies in ruins this week, reduced to a chaotic pile of debris that may be contaminated with asbestos. And it will stay that way until the developer attempting to level the site can have the materials there assessed, demolished, and disposed of properly. As of Thursday, mattresses and other personal effects were mixed in with drywall, wiring, and dust. Some walls were still standing, as mounds of building material leaned up against them. The entire site near Yale and Menzies had been fenced off for a week already, with a large sign that warns: Absolutely no admittance. The demolition began early last Thursday morning, when an excavator and other trucks and equipment moved onto the site. But their work day stopped at 4:30 p.m., when WorkSafe BC visited the site and found a major oversight. According to the ensuing report, Inspector Brenda Lavalle confirmed almost immediately upon arriving that nobody had checked to ensure the buildings were asbestos free. This is a requirement of demolition companies, and the removal, transport and disposal of asbestos is heavily regulated. WorkSafe BC provided The Progress with the initial investigation report from the Aug. 6 stop work order. Continued: DEBRIS/ p7
Stop work order at Shannon Court.
Owners of the abandoned Safeway building on Main Street will be ordered next week to fence and ultimately demolish the two structures on the property. JENNIFER FEINBERG/ PROGRESS
Old Safeway building up for demolition Jennifer Feinberg The Progress The old Safeway building on Main Street has been an eyesore for a long time. But action could finally be coming as early as next week. The boarded-up storefront, which occupies an entire city block of prime real estate, is seen as pivotal in the revitalization of the downtown core. City of Chilliwack and CEPCO officials tried to work with the former Safeway ownership for years, and also with the current owners, Sobeys, to take accountability for the decline of the property, but to no avail. The wrecking ball is likely next. The word “eyesore” comes
up repeatedly when talking about this property. The feeling around town is that it should be properly maintained – or sold. The building has been boarded up for years. There are broken windows, and peeling paint. Graffiti tags show up out front and are painted over quickly. And there have been numerous incidents of vandalism and mischief. Now, city officials confirm they are ready to take the next step. A council resolution is expected next week to require owners to fence the two structures on the property, with plans to demolish the buildings within 90 days, under Section 74 of the Community Charter. “It would be very difficult for council to support in any way
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they are “working with city officials.” But that was all. Asked if the property was for sale, the spokesperson wouldn’t confirm either way. “We have nothing further to share publicly on this piece of property at this time,” said Keri Scobie, communications manager for Sobeys West. Even if the property was listed for sale, the owners would still be subject to the minimum standards bylaw, said city staff. The company listed as the property owner, SDL Snocap Ltd., was issued two fines of $500 each, with an outstanding amount of $1,000 for failing to obtain vacant building permits, staff said.
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the ongoing neglect of this property,” said Mayor Sharon Gaetz. “Other communities are watching, too, “ she added. “This is a situation many struggle with in terms of downtown redevelopment.” The reason action is important and urgent, consultants have told city officials, is that any significant redevelopment of the downtown could hinge on this centralized site being transformed. The property has also become a nuisance, a safety hazard and a draw for criminal activity. Sobeys officials confirmed in an email to The Progress last month that they had received a bylaw package from the City of Chilliwack to apply for the vacant building permit, and said
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