The eyesore on the corner of MacKenzie Avenue and Cumberland Road will be cleaned up as soon as possible by the City of Courtenay.
According to Courtenay director of legislative services John Ward, the City put out a public tender for demolition of the burned-out property, which will close Thursday.
"Once tender is awarded, work will begin immediately," he said in an e-mail, adding he can't answer exactly when the site will be completely cleared up. "Obviously it will be done as quickly as the contractor can finish."
Although the City will ensure the work is completed, the Nanaimo property owner will be on the hook for the cost.
Just'n Tyme Greenhouse and Hydroponic Supply was located on the property at 1094 MacKenzie Ave. — where Buckerfield's was previously — but it was destroyed by fire in September.
After the lengthy fire investigation was completed, the City asked the property owner to clean up the site, which is still filled with fire debris, including product.
In May, Courtenay council declared the site a nuisance and gave the property owner six weeks (until June 30) to demolish and remove the building and all contents on the property, fill and level it, and plant it with perennial plants.
Ward had not heard from the property owner as of one week before the deadline for cleanup. Now, he said he still hasn't heard any comments from the owner, but he's guessing they are not happy the City is going ahead with the work.
"I imagine they aren't pleased," he said. "They have applied for a demolition permit; however, since the work was not completed before the deadline, the City is still proceeding at this point."
The cost will of cleanup will go on the property taxes for the site. According to Ward, there is no way for the owner to avoid the charges once they go on the property taxes because if the property is sold the taxes are a legal encumbrance on the property.
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